Is there now a full color IR flag for the OCP?

There have been full-color IR flags since I joined. I know because my wife mistakenly bought several from Ranger Joe's while I was in OSUT. I don't know why they exist; to my knowledge, they are not supposed to be worn on the uniform.

According to the 25 May 2017 publication of AR 670-1, chapter 19 section 18 “Wear of US flag embroidered insignia”:

“All soldiers will wear the full color US flag embroidered insignia on utility and organizational uniforms unless deployed or in a field environment. Soldiers will wear the subdued tactical flag WHILE DEPLIYED OR IN A FIELD ENVIRONMENT.”

That’s the latest edition I can find, and considering it includes regulations on the greens, I believe it is the most accurate.

Without asking the soldier, it is nearly impossible to ascertain whether he was wearing something rogue or it was issued by his unit and he was instructed to wear it. I am always cautious to ask soldiers uniform questions because if they were instructed by their leadership to wear something, even if against 670-1 and I call them on it, now they are stuck between what higher ups in their unit have told them verses some random major grilling them. You as a peer have easier leverage to ask as this SSG was senior to you and can much easier tell you to pound sand than a junior enlisted tell me the same.

Next time you see him, ask him about it!

Are you sure he wasn’t an Air Force TAC-P or Para? I’ve seen them wear it.

Save your money and go with what is issued as there is a reason for uniformity as well. Some things are good for the field craft, others have a tendency to go into the dumpster after a while.

The subdued IR flags are only to be worn during a deployment and during field training. If he was wearing it in Garrison he was definitely f’ed up.