Experience in Iraq has changed view on need for tanker's badge

Dear ARMOR,

First off, I would like to say that I have always been against the proposed combat tanker's badge. Having been an armor crewman and master gunner for the past 18 years, I have not felt a need to advertise to the world who I am or where I have been (isn't that what ribbons are for?), besides, we already have enough bells and whistles.

Even though there have been some very good arguments, my views were steadfast. However, I have recently discovered that I may have been wrong.

My platoon is currently serving in Iraq and is doing so without the protection of armor in a very dangerous place. In reality, I lead what is now a small infantry platoon, whose biggest gun is only 7.62mm, which receives and executes the same missions that our other two platoons in the company execute (we are attached to an infantry company). On a normal day, we go from conducting raids to dismounted night patrols and conducting cordon and search operations, and, of course, ducking during daily mortar rocket-propelled grenade and improvised explosive device attacks. All of this, is done either on foot or from a HMMWV, which is fine with the platoon--we have received some outstanding training and we understand facing ground warfare is different over here because you cannot get a sniper out of a crowd with an M1A2 SEP.

What has changed my mind regarding the combat tanker's badge is the look on my soldiers' faces when they watch their infantry partners receive their combat infantryman badges, which was subsequently rubbed in the faces of armor soldiers, but was handled professionally.

They do not understand how they can be placed in the same dangers and stressors as their counterparts (including receiving the Purple Heart), and still not receive any recognition for their service while someone who doesn't even leave the patrol base receives an award. I hate to think that 10 years from now soldiers will be judged by the badges and tabs they wear and thought to have done nothing but sit in a rear area and stare at their tanks during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As I prepare to retire in a couple of years, I look back and see all the great things that our 19-series guys have done (and the scouts as well). From missions in Bosnia, Somalia, and Haiti to some very dangerous times in Baghdad, our armor force has shown that it can take any mission and conduct it as well, if not better, than the next guy. It is time that armor soldiers and future Army leaders gets the recognition they deserve.

SFC WILLIAM FERGUSON

U.S. Army, Baghdad, Iraq

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