The U.S. Army has broadened the criteria for awarding the combat patch, officially known as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC), to include deployments across 14 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
The policy change, unveiled last week, recognizes the evolving and often dangerous nature of U.S. military operations in regions where conventional warfare is being replaced by hybrid threats and irregular engagements.
According to the Army’s announcement, the new policy applies to soldiers who have been assigned or attached to units supporting operations under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) between October 7, 2023, and June 24, 2025.
This timeframe is significant, as it spans from the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 to the recent Iranian missile strike on al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — an act of retaliation following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
The countries included under the new policy are Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
These locations have seen a wide spectrum of military activity, from ongoing advisory missions to high-stakes retaliatory strikes and joint military exercises aimed at stabilizing volatile regions.
“These changes acknowledge the inherent risks and challenges faced by soldiers in these locations and timeframes,” the Army stated in its release.
“Awarding the combat patch reflects the Army’s commitment to recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of all soldiers serving in these operational environments.”
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
In a departure from traditional policy, the new authorization does not require a minimum time-in-theater, allowing soldiers to be recognized regardless of the length of their deployment.
Additionally, a key exception has been granted: soldiers no longer need to receive hostile fire or imminent danger pay, nor do they need to qualify for combat zone tax exclusion in order to be eligible for the patch.
This adjustment aims to ensure that soldiers involved in high-risk missions and contingency operations are not overlooked due to administrative technicalities.
The expansion includes Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard personnel, recognizing the broad spectrum of the Total Army Force that contributes to U.S. missions overseas.
This inclusive approach acknowledges that soldiers serving in support roles or advisory capacities often face the same dangers as those on the front lines, especially in modern conflict zones where frontlines are ambiguous and threats can emerge from multiple directions, including cyber, drone, and indirect fire attacks.
Notably, Somalia is absent from the list, despite significant ongoing U.S. military involvement there.
The U.S. continues to conduct airstrikes and special operations in Somalia against terrorist networks such as al-Shabaab, and the region recently saw the deaths of two Navy SEALs — Christopher J. Chambers and Nathan G. Ingram — who drowned off the Somali coast during an Iranian weapons seizure mission in January 2024.
The omission has raised questions within the military community, particularly since AFRICOM's mission in Somalia is known to involve substantial risk.
Some service members and analysts suggest that the nature of the operations there may still be under review or categorized differently in terms of combat recognition.
Nonetheless, the updated policy is seen as a positive move by many in uniform.
The combat patch has long stood as a visible symbol of a soldier’s service in combat zones, a reminder not only of where they’ve been, but of the risks and responsibilities they’ve shouldered on behalf of the nation.
As threats continue to evolve in the Middle East and Africa, the Army's updated approach to SSI-MOHC eligibility sends a clear message: all soldiers serving in complex and hazardous environments — regardless of formal combat designation — deserve to be recognized for their courage and commitment.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.