I actually agree with taking that shit off, more than a few faking the funk, got their CIB for being a TOC bitch, or combat patch for Kuwait, etc. The Army played the "everyone gets a badge and patch" game when they came out with the CAB, etc. Much like a Bronze Star means very little to me, someone sporting a combat patch, CIB, CAB or CMB, is about the same. I've got a good friend who I personally was in a firefight next to him, who was not awarded his CIB because of a bullshit Snowball company grade article 15, yet the coward who sat in the TOC because he refused to go on his first patrol, and never left the wire, was sticking his chest out all proud of the CIB he didn't earn.
Fuck all that stupid shit, it was a good idea when it meant something, but the Army leadership fucked that all up, many moons ago.
As for First Cav, they have always had a really fucked command policy. I remember the division staff patrolling the green zone looking for soldiers not wearing Wiley X's and seat belts. Focused on uniform standards and safety over fulfilling the mission. That said, the troops take a bad rap because of the command bullshit and the endless dirt bags in service and support. Some of the best and worst soldiers I've ever met wore a 1Cav patch.