Posted on Jun 29, 2014
Should all branches of the military wear a US flag on their uniform?
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Ok, I apologize in advance once again for bringing Civil Air Patrol into the mix, but an interesting and heated debate has arisen the last few days that might be relevant here.
-In 2007 CAP's national commander added the reverse american flag on the BDU uniform. This change was met with a lot of resistance, many people were not happy with the addition.
-A few days ago, CAP's new uniform manual began phasing the US flag out and once again, many people are upset, saying it's disrespectful to remove it from the uniform.
-Here's my opinion: The Army is the only branch that wears it, and CAP is not the Auxiliary of the Army. I read a few discussions about why most branches don't wear it and I agree. It is a work uniform and poses the risk of soiling or tearing the flag patch. I, as a Crew Chief understand this and would hate to have to replace it every time I spilled hydraulic fluid on it. The Army has it a little easier being their patches are Velcro so it can be easily replaced. I also heard by rumor that the Army was discussing removing the US flag as well. Is there any truth there or just rumor?
What are your opinions? Should all branches of the military wear a US flag on their uniform? Why do you support your opinion?
-In 2007 CAP's national commander added the reverse american flag on the BDU uniform. This change was met with a lot of resistance, many people were not happy with the addition.
-A few days ago, CAP's new uniform manual began phasing the US flag out and once again, many people are upset, saying it's disrespectful to remove it from the uniform.
-Here's my opinion: The Army is the only branch that wears it, and CAP is not the Auxiliary of the Army. I read a few discussions about why most branches don't wear it and I agree. It is a work uniform and poses the risk of soiling or tearing the flag patch. I, as a Crew Chief understand this and would hate to have to replace it every time I spilled hydraulic fluid on it. The Army has it a little easier being their patches are Velcro so it can be easily replaced. I also heard by rumor that the Army was discussing removing the US flag as well. Is there any truth there or just rumor?
What are your opinions? Should all branches of the military wear a US flag on their uniform? Why do you support your opinion?
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 42
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I take it a step further and say that all branches should wear the same uniform (at least the combat uniform/fatigue).
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SSgt (Join to see)
Agreed. Always was that way until the early 2000's. Of course now the branch uniform pride is too strong. I'm sure a marine would sooner cut off their own leg than let any other branches wear the MARPAT design. funny they are more worried about their own pride than the camo and protection of other fighting service members. Hmmmmmm
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LTC Gary Earls
My brother in law was an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and he was on a committee to get new fatigues for the Air Force. They tried to get an extension on the Army contract to save money. That idea was turned down by the higher ups so they had to get a separate contract to get the fatigues. This was back in the 1980s.
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SMSgt Bob Wilson
Politics is the main reason the services are so different when they should be similar--weapons systems, uniforms, support equipment, etc. Why? The more different the services are the more government contracts can be given. Congressional Representatives love bringing government contracts to their district. Contracts mean more jobs which means more money which means re-election.
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The Marine Corps doesn't wear flags or badges on its sleeves. The Red, White and Blue flag makes for a great target. The USMC on the pocket is all that is needed.
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Prior to the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) aka, ACUs, the only time that the US Flag was worn on the Army uniform (then Woodland BDU) was when a unit went into combat. It was sort of like a "combat patch." There was a whole flap about its placement because the actual SSI/FWTS was sewn right at the shoulder, and the US Flag was (then) sewn below the unit patch, which, according to US Flag etiquette (and the US Code) should not be done.
I think that the US Flag (subdued) should only be worn when deployed, on body armor or other outer garment. When we are in garrison, there is no question which nation we represent. That is the purpose of the flag on the uniform.
I think that the US Flag (subdued) should only be worn when deployed, on body armor or other outer garment. When we are in garrison, there is no question which nation we represent. That is the purpose of the flag on the uniform.
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CSM Ralph Hernandez
Here's my nickels worth. I Love my Family, my Army, and my Soldiers. I have done everything that has been asked of me by my Superiors, as long as it was not illegal. Early in my career we wore our Olive drab fatigues and never wore a flag and I guess it was because we were in the USA and everyone knew that we were in the Army. I agree that in Garrison or even at home the flag should not be worn because we are in America and just about everyone knows that we are Soldiers. This could also save the Army and any services using it quite a bit of change. I do think that you should wear it when deployed to, ( the Colored US Flag ), other Countries to separate us from other Nations. I know what everyone is going to say, that we will stick out like a sore thumb, but I have always been proud of my service to my Country and not ashamed or even scared about wearing it and what it stands for. I also believe that when in combat we should wear the subdued version. Let us be proud but let us make sense as well. That is my nickels worth.
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1LT (Join to see)
In my enlisted days (I enlisted in 03), prior to ACUs, we did wear a flag in garrison. It was a full color right sleeve flag on BDUs. We also wore the flag on DCUs. It was worn by all soldiers Army-wide, it had no thing to do with a unit going into combat. It was a right of passage, graduating from OSUT/BCT meant you got your flag and beret.
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