About a week and a half ago our supply sergeant came around and gave us a patch as well as a memorandum from the commander stating that we were now authorized this deployment patch. There is a history to the Brigade that this symbol represents and to be honest I don't know it at this time. I will look it up soon, but not this moment. It is my combat patch. This patch goes on the right sleeve of the uniform jacket. Until a Soldier deploys this sleeve remains bare. When you get out of AIT and head to your first unit you get a unit patch that goes on the left sleeve. This makes you feel like you are no longer a worthless, snotty private and now part of a real Army unit. It isn't long though until you realize that there is something special about the right sleeve. The right sleeve represents unspoken struggles, hardships, lessons learned, moments of excitement, deep friendships and friendships lost and so much more. Without the patch you are just a "slick-sleeve".....I was called that more than once. Regardless of your experience in life, military bearing, level of physical fitness, ability to "beat up" (couldn't resist that one) the person with the combat patch, you are still just not "one of them". There are a plethora of combat patches out there. Some represent the historic campaigns that have become the face of WWII such as the 101st "eagle" patch with the word "airborne" over it. This particular patch however, the "Lady Liberty" is what I get to wear. Its weight is so little that you can't tell if it is on or off physically, but psychologically it weighs a ton! It means I am here in Iraq doing my part in the fight on terrorism. Yesterday we were reminded just how much the fight is still on as our whole bodies shook and compressed as large artillery shells were launched outside the wire. It is funny that one patch can mean and represent so much but that is how it works. When you return home you become one of "those guys". Those guys that deployed and now can look down on the "slick sleeves". My good buddy Phinney said it right though, slick sleeve or not....plenty of Soldiers that have deployed are still dirt bags and don't know any more about being a Soldier than a "slick sleeve". He is correct, but that is a topic for a different day. For today, this is about the patch and I love it. There is a bond that happens with those that have been "down range". I feel that now and I look forward to what this deployment will bring.
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