<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A shoulder sleeve insignia (often abbreviated SSI), is an embroidered patch worn on some uniforms of the United States Army . It is used by major formations of the U.S. Army; each formation has a unique formation patch . The U.S. Army is unique among the U.S. Armed Forces in that all soldiers are required to wear the patch of their headquarters as part of their military uniforms . </P> <P> Shoulder sleeve insignia receive their name from the fact that they are most commonly worn on the upper left shoulders of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU); before October 2015 they were worn all U.S. Army uniforms . However, they can be placed on other locations, notably on the side of a helmet . Shoulder sleeve insignia worn on the upper right shoulders on Army uniforms denote former wartime service . These "combat patches" are worn on the ACU but are not worn on the Army Service Uniform . Instead a 2 inch metal replica is worn on the right breast pocket and is officially known as the Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB). </P> <P> Shoulder sleeve insignia were often designed with intricate designs including bright colors, when created . Because these bright colors and designs risk standing out when a soldier is in combat or in hiding, the shoulder sleeve insignia in its color form was commonly only worn on the dress uniform, when a soldier is not in combat . However, with the retirement of the Army Green Uniform in 2015, the full - color SSI has been replaced with a CSIB instead . For combat uniforms, "subdued" versions have been created for wear on the battlefield . </P>

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