108th Training Command US Army Patch

108th Training Command U.S. Army Patch 2.75" x 2.75" Embroidered Patch with Sew-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality.

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The 108th Training Command traces its origins to World War II, activated on June 15, 1946, as a unit within the U.S. Army Reserve. Headquartered today in Charlotte, North Carolina, it began as a regional command focused on training Army personnel and preparing reservists for wartime service.

It officially became known as the 108th Division (Training) in 1952, and over the decades, evolved into a full-spectrum training force. The unit was redesignated as the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) in 2005, solidifying its focus on preparing new soldiers and sustaining the Army’s training pipeline.

Notable Commanders
Many respected Army leaders have passed through the 108th’s ranks, particularly within the U.S. Army Reserve community. Though not as high-profile as combat divisions, the Training Command has been led by generals responsible for overseeing the readiness of thousands of drill sergeants, instructors, and support staff who directly impact the Army’s future force.

One notable figure was Major General Leslie Purser, who commanded the 108th and later served as Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve, helping modernize the training framework and increase the integration of Reserve components into the Total Army Force.

Major Campaigns/Operations
While the 108th itself is not a combat unit, its soldiers have supported every major U.S. operation since WWII through training augmentation and mobilization support. The command's units were activated during:

• Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm

• Operation Enduring Freedom

• Operation Iraqi Freedom

• Homeland defense and disaster response missions under NORTHCOM and FEMA coordination

Drill sergeants and trainers from the 108th have deployed to U.S. Army Training Centers across the country—Fort Jackson, Fort Moore (formerly Benning), Fort Sill, and others—to support active-duty training surges, especially during wartime or when the Army expands its personnel requirements.

Specialized Role/Equipment
The 108th Training Command specializes in Initial Entry Training (IET), Basic Combat Training (BCT), and One Station Unit Training (OSUT), as well as ROTC support and professional military education. Its structure includes:

• 95th Training Division (IET)

• 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training)

• 104th Training Division (Leader Training)

Soldiers of the 108th are often drill sergeants, instructors, or subject matter experts in military tactics, leadership development, physical fitness, and soldier skills. They may wear the iconic campaign hat of the drill sergeant and are certified through the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy.

Their equipment is typical of a stateside training unit—M4 rifles for instruction, training simulators, fitness gear, and digital platforms for instructional content delivery.

Acts of Heroism
Though training-focused, the 108th's history includes reservists who have answered the call during crises. Following 9/11, many instructors deployed into combat zones or filled critical shortages in logistics, security, and base operations support. These soldiers left the classroom for the battlefield, demonstrating the same discipline they had instilled in their trainees.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, former trainees of the 108th returned home with stories of valor and resilience—testaments to the strength of the training foundation they received from these dedicated professionals.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The 108th Training Command has quietly built the foundation of the modern U.S. Army. It’s a force multiplier—creating soldiers from civilians, shaping leaders from cadets, and sustaining readiness for the Reserve and active components alike.

The patch of the 108th, with its torch symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment, honors decades of instructors, drill sergeants, and leaders who poured their sweat and time into preparing the next generation of warfighters.

To wear the 108th Training Command patch is to carry the responsibility of the forge—the place where raw recruits are shaped into soldiers. It is not glamorous work, but it is vital. Every great unit begins with great training, and much of that training begins here.