The T-Patch was first used during the First World War. The Division was composed of men from the Texas and Oklahoma National Guards. The original choice of design was the Lone Star for Texas and an Indian Head for Oklahoma, but that insignia was adopted by the 2nd Infantry. Instead what was adopted was the T-Patch. It is in the shape of an arrow head to symbolize Oklahoma and sports a large T for Texas.
On November 25, 1940 the Texas National Guard was inducted into federal service at San Antonio, Texas as the 36th Division with Major General Claude V. Birkhead as Division Commander.
During it's time in combat the 36th Infantry Division amassed many notable deeds in the annals of military history. The 36th was the first American Unit to invade Continental Europe and the first American Unit into the Eternal City of Rome, the first European capital to be liberated. A Unit that received praise from the enemy it faced for it's audacity, stubbornness, and tactics as well as it's own superiors. All of this by the "Texas Army", probably the only unit, besides specialty outfits, that had a distinct identity and pride. When the final bell was tolled the 36th had participated in the Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe Campaigns loosing 5,974 men killed in action and 19,052 wounded in action.
In November 2005 the 36th Infantry Division returned to Europe in support of Operation Joint Guardian's Kosovo Force (KFOR). The KFOR is a NATO-led international force that is responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo. This peace-enforcement force entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999 under a United Nations mandate.
Reference : http://lamar.colostate.edu/%7Egrjan/kosovohistory.html.
The point you ask?
Now we all know that the most dangerous thing in the world is a bored soldier. It has been proven time and time again that if you leave America's finest alone for too long, something is going to get fucked up. We also like to do things to promote camaraderie and remember the things we have done, most of the time it is a tattoo. Since some of us have many tattoos done with various brothers in arms throughout our careers, me and a buddy of mine decided to go "old school" last year and began working on a brand of the famous T-Patch. Many versions were made and none were good enough for us to put hot iron to our bodies.
The other night I came home from a 16 hour mission, entirely too fucking late to want to do anything but go to sleep. As I lay in my rack pondering my upcoming homecoming and wondering what my next tattoo would be my door rushed open and one of my soldiers was wanting me to come outside. Irritated I told him to fuck off unless someone was wounded. I then hear the familiar voice of my buddy (mumbling something about me having sand in my pussy), along with another joe we run with. I now know that something is going down and it is my duty as a noncommissioned officer to supervise the mischief that is about to happen.
When I get outside I see CPL F. grinning from ear to ear as he reaches in his cargo pocket to proudly display a charred brand. Then they all proceed to apologize for doing it without me and how they didn't know when I was coming back and I had to have it done that instant. We sparked up a fire at the back of the sea hut and went to work.
Much to my surprise it didn't hurt nearly as bad as we had expected. My guess is that we dug it in deep enough to kill the nerves. I am not too sure what DhD thinks but am glad to have it added to the many other proud markings I have from around the world.
On November 25, 1940 the Texas National Guard was inducted into federal service at San Antonio, Texas as the 36th Division with Major General Claude V. Birkhead as Division Commander.
During it's time in combat the 36th Infantry Division amassed many notable deeds in the annals of military history. The 36th was the first American Unit to invade Continental Europe and the first American Unit into the Eternal City of Rome, the first European capital to be liberated. A Unit that received praise from the enemy it faced for it's audacity, stubbornness, and tactics as well as it's own superiors. All of this by the "Texas Army", probably the only unit, besides specialty outfits, that had a distinct identity and pride. When the final bell was tolled the 36th had participated in the Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe Campaigns loosing 5,974 men killed in action and 19,052 wounded in action.
In November 2005 the 36th Infantry Division returned to Europe in support of Operation Joint Guardian's Kosovo Force (KFOR). The KFOR is a NATO-led international force that is responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo. This peace-enforcement force entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999 under a United Nations mandate.
Reference : http://lamar.colostate.edu/%7Egrjan/kosovohistory.html.
The point you ask?
Now we all know that the most dangerous thing in the world is a bored soldier. It has been proven time and time again that if you leave America's finest alone for too long, something is going to get fucked up. We also like to do things to promote camaraderie and remember the things we have done, most of the time it is a tattoo. Since some of us have many tattoos done with various brothers in arms throughout our careers, me and a buddy of mine decided to go "old school" last year and began working on a brand of the famous T-Patch. Many versions were made and none were good enough for us to put hot iron to our bodies.
The other night I came home from a 16 hour mission, entirely too fucking late to want to do anything but go to sleep. As I lay in my rack pondering my upcoming homecoming and wondering what my next tattoo would be my door rushed open and one of my soldiers was wanting me to come outside. Irritated I told him to fuck off unless someone was wounded. I then hear the familiar voice of my buddy (mumbling something about me having sand in my pussy), along with another joe we run with. I now know that something is going down and it is my duty as a noncommissioned officer to supervise the mischief that is about to happen.
When I get outside I see CPL F. grinning from ear to ear as he reaches in his cargo pocket to proudly display a charred brand. Then they all proceed to apologize for doing it without me and how they didn't know when I was coming back and I had to have it done that instant. We sparked up a fire at the back of the sea hut and went to work.
Much to my surprise it didn't hurt nearly as bad as we had expected. My guess is that we dug it in deep enough to kill the nerves. I am not too sure what DhD thinks but am glad to have it added to the many other proud markings I have from around the world.
VIEW 18 of 18 COMMENTS
phrogg:
I came by to say "Welcome Home"! I know you've been back a few days. Also want to say Thank You for your service!
zarth:
Good god. I just saw your wife's thread about the burglary. For what little it's worth, you have my sympathies and best wishes. If you end up tracking them down in order to dispense rough justice, I certainly hope you don't get caught. And that you've got the right guys, of course. Anyway. Good luck in all your endeavours.