Collecting unit patches has become very serious. Former veterans and civilians alike have transformed this pass-time into a professional "hobby" that sees collectors exchanging patches and large sums of money at a furious pace, in what could easily be mistaken as a drug deal.

The unit I am most proud of having served with was the 3rd Battalion of the 47th Infantry Regiment. Although this unit had a different unit crest, it was part of the 199th Infantry Brigade Mtz. (Separate Motorized Brigade). This outfit is represented by the patch on the far left.

Although the 199th served with distinction in many wars and conflicts, in my day it was a Separate Army Brigade, under the direct command of I Corp. Our orders came straight from the Corp Commander, a Lt. General (3 Star). This was the only unit like it in all of the Army. We were very elite, having a highly trained group of soldiers in even fewer numbers than the Special Forces or Ranger Battalions. We were a highly specialized warfare group used for anti armor work as well as scouting, sniping, FA (forward observer) work and hunter killer anti-armor teams. We were lightning fast and very proficient. To our credit, the 199th had the highest kill ratio of any unit ever at Ft. Irwin's NTC (National Training Center) in 1990 and beat that record in 1991!

Unit patches are a source of great pride to those who have worn them. I consider myself honored to be included in the family of people who have served these units and worn these patches in the past, present and will wear them in the future. There are few greater honors than having served your country.

Below, you'll find the identification of the patches shown as well as a bit if unit history.

As seen from left to right:

1. 199th Infantry Brigade: Worn 29 November 1956-1992. WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. The spear, an early infantry weapon superimposed in the flames represents the evolution of firepower.
My connection; my main unit for almost 3 years.
2. 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment: Worn 22 June 1967-Present. One of the oldest and most decorated units still active in the Army. This unit served in the revolutionary, Mexican, Indian, Civil, and Gulf Wars.
My Connection; When the 199th was deactivated in 1992 at Ft. Lewis, WA, it was reactivated (the unit as a whole) as the 2nd ACR and transferred to Ft. Polk, LA. They then acted as the OPFOR for the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC).
I have recently been informed that the 2nd is now a deployable Cav unit for the 18th Airborne Corp, and has been Globe Hopping to places like Bosnia, Haiti etc.
3. ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corp) Cadet Command: Worn 1986-Present. This shield represents the Army mission of national defense. It is devided into quarters to represent the 4 traditional military science courses comprising Senior ROTC curriculum.
My Connection: I wore this patch on both sides of the fence. Before enlisting I was involved in ROTC is high school and college (Slippery Rock University, PA). Then, when assigned to 3/47 Inf. under the 199th and 9th ID, my job every summer was as an instructor training the ROTC cadets in squad patrolling at Ft. Lewis.
4. 108th Infantry: Worn 15 July 1946-30 April 1959. And 30 April 1959-Present (without tab). The Griffin symbolizes the striking power from the air, and strength on the ground. The 108th is now a training unit located at Ft. Jackson, SC which is where I attended basic training.
My Connection; Basic Training. This unit is no longer Airborne, so my affiliation did not include the Airborne tab.
5. 18th Airborne Corp: Worn 25 August 1944-Present. The dragon head represents cunning, endurance and ferocity of attack against its enemies. It is symbolic of both the attack and strategic capabilities of the corp. WWII, Genada, Panama, Desert Storm.
My Connection; This is my authorized combat patch. I still have this sewn on my Dress Greens. I earned this in Desert Storm. This command Corp was in control of the 82 Airborne Division in Saudi, of which I am also authorized to wear.
6. 82nd Airborne Corp: Worn 21 October 1919 (with airborne tab 31 August 1944)-Present. The "All American" Division. WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Saudi Arabia (under 18th Airborne Corp.) Currently at Ft. Bragg, NC.
My Connection; Authorized (optional) Combat patch from Desert Storm.
7. 9th Infantry Division: Worn 13 March 1925-1991. The 9th ID earned the nickname "old reliables" during WWII. They served with great distinction in WWII, Vietnam, Panama, and deactivated in 1991 while at Ft. Lewis. The double quatrefoil is representative of the "ninth son" and carries red, white and blue colors. During Vietnam the 9th earned the nicknames of "flower power" and "psychedelic cookie" for obvious reasons.
My Connection; I was serving with this proud and historic unit when it deactivated. It was a sad sight to watch the colors march off the field for the last time.
8. 3rd Brigade/9th ID: Worn 1 February 1966-13 October 1970. Approved for local wear only. Although not approved for wear after 1970, we saw quite a few of these at Ft. Lewis.
My Connection; I was in 3rd Brigade of 9th ID at Fr. Lewis in 1990.
9. OPFOR (Opposing Forces Tab): Worn 1993-Present. This is the actual unit patch of the 11th ACR stationed at Ft. Irwin, CA.
My Connection; I went through NTC so many times I feel like it was my second home. Additionally, this patch in subdued green (or the shown desert tan) is also worn by many outfits during extended exercises while acting as the defending or aggressing opposing force at many posts, including the Yakima Firing Center in central Washington State (another station I spend too many days and nights at!).

I hope this bit of mostly useless information is as intersting to you, as it was fun for me to write.

Thomas A. Spithaler
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