'Grey Wolf' Soldiers Receive Combat Patch

By Spc. Ryan Stroud

Soldiers from the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division partook in an U.S. Army tradition for deployed Soldiers - the presentation of the combat patch.

111906-A-1862S-001 Lt. Col. Ronald Kirklin, commander of 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, places the 1st Cav. combat patch on Spc. Craig Woolever, 215th BSB. "The patch is also a reminder to [the Soldiers] and their families about the sacrifices of freedom, at home and abroad," Kirklin said. "It is a reminder of the friends and comrades that were there beside you. It will remind you that everything worth fighting for comes with a price, though some greater than others." (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

The combat patch is awarded to Soldiers who are deployed to combat zones for a period of 30 days or more. Grey Wolf, who deployed at the beginning of October, is currently stationed in the Diyala province of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.

The 215th Brigade Support Battalion and the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, held separate ceremonies on Nov. 19 and 20 at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, placing the 1st Cavalry Division patch on the right side of the Soldiers' uniform to symbolize their service.

Each Soldier will forever be able to place the "First Team" patch on their Army Combat Uniforms and their Class A uniforms.

A Soldier from 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, places the "First Team" combat patch on Spc. Wesley Heine, 215th BSB. "The patch that is placed on the right shoulder signifies that Soldiers place in history," said Lt. Col. Ronald Kirklin, commander of the 215th BSB. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

"It's a symbol of being a veteran," said Lt. Col. Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd BSTB. "The unit insignia stays with that Soldier no matter what future assignments they have."

"Any time that you are in a unit that goes through war together, the cohesion in that unit is great," he continued. "The combat patch is almost like a rally symbol and a shared bonding experience."

"The patch that is placed on the right shoulder signifies that Soldiers place in history," said Lt. Col. Ronald Kirklin, 215th BSB commander.

Lt. Col. Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, places the "First Team" combat patch on Pfc. Lashunda Morris, 3rd BSTB. "It's a symbol of being a veteran," said Rose. "The unit insignia stays with that Soldier no matter what future assignments they have." (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

"The patch is also a reminder to [the Soldiers] and their families about the sacrifices of freedom at home and abroad," he added. "It is a reminder of the friends and comrades that were there beside you. It will remind you that everything worth fighting for comes with a price, though some greater than others."

Not only does the patch stand for what these Soldiers are currently doing in Iraq, but it also stands for the journey that still lies ahead for the Grey Wolf Soldiers and the heroes they have become.

Lt. Col. Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, speaks to his Soldiers after they received their combat patch. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

"[The Soldiers] should be proud of this patch and what they have accomplished so far, and what they will accomplish in the upcoming months," said Kirklin.

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