An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 27, 2024

Deployed Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Earn Their Combat Patch

By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

CAMP SIMBA, Kenya - Task Force Paxton’s command team, Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Barclay, led one of the most memorable moments of a Soldier’s career at a Camp Simba ceremony March 21.

Known colloquially as the combat patching ceremony, this signifies the Soldier’s service in a combat zone and forever links that Soldier and their service to the history of the unit. The official name of the patch earned is the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Military Operations in Hostile Conditions. The Soldiers comprising Task Force Paxton, drawn from nine companies across Pennsylvania, have come together under the banner of the task force and earned this honor.

With temperatures reaching the mid-90s and the afternoon African sun shining, Barclay addressed the Soldiers on the significance of earning the patch. The tradition dates back to George Washington, who authorized wearing the Badge of Military Merit patch, the forerunner to the Purple Heart.

The tradition of using patches to signify a Soldier’s unit and rank evolved over the following two centuries and became prevalent in World War II. As Soldiers shifted from unit to unit, they would move the insignia of their old unit to signify they were combat veterans and to remember their fallen service members.

Ponzek spoke to the Soldiers about the history of the 28th Infantry Division and the significance of the patch. The Keystone, the official emblem signifying the 28th Infantry Division, was referred to as “the Bloody Bucket” by the Germans in WW2 due to its shape and red color. The nickname has stuck, and it is with great pride the Soldiers of Task Force Paxton have earned the right to wear the Keystone on their right sleeve below their American flag patch.

Many of the current Soldiers were only toddlers the last time the units of Task Force Paxton were awarded the combat patch 15 years ago. They have been trained by the officers and noncommissioned officers who previously earned the right.

The patching ceremony is an unofficial rite of passage for the American Soldier. It binds the Soldiers deployed in a combat zone as not just friends, not just Soldiers but brothers and sisters who lived and served together with common experience.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Pvt. Fatmata Kaikai, assigned to the 1067th Composite Truck Company, 228th Motor Transport Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, climbs a rope during an obstacle course July 22, 2025, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The obstacle course challenges Soldiers’ physical stamina and is usually a precursor to the Air Assault School.
Pennsylvania Guard Completes Confidence Course
By Capt. Angela Clemons, | July 23, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.— Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 213th Regional Support Group pushed their physical and mental limits when they completed a confidence course July 22.The event brought together...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group prepare dummies for a simulated casualty evacuation at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 17, 2025. The 108th Medical Company engaged in a weeklong field medical exercise to validate their readiness and elevate their medical and basic Soldier skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)
Pennsylvania Guard Medics Simulate Chaos in Exercise
By Capt. Christopher Booker, | July 18, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group, are engaged in a comprehensive two-week field medical exercise here.The...

Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team practice various close quarter battle techniques at the live fire shoot house complex at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, June 10, 2025. The Soldiers conducted several iterations to practice movement while firing live rounds. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Train at Live-Fire Shoot House
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, | July 17, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers from Pennsylvania Army Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted training at the live-fire shoot house here during the unit’s...