Posted on Jun 19, 2017
Is wearing a flag patch on a backpack against regulations?
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Uniforms
DA Pam 670-1
Army Regulations
Gear
American Flag
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 357
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Kinda sounds like the CSM's working the old "you can add to, but not take away from" deals if you can't find anything specific in 670-1.
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PV2 Donald Dean
TSgt (Join to see) - "The US Flag should never be worn as clothing, yet you see this all the time. Advertising? Everyone uses the American Flag in advertising. There is never a repercussion for violating Flag Code." In the public sector. Free Speech allows people to violate it. However, as a member of the Armed Services your Free Speech is restricted while you are serving.
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Glenn McLaughlin
PV2 Donald Dean - Unfortunately the US Flag Code is intentionally written in the form of guidelines. It uses "should" instead of shall. The US Supreme Court has ruled multiple times that state laws the try to enact laws that make flag code violations a crime are a violation of our citizen's rights. I don't agree with this, but that's the way it is. Military regs can, of course, be enforced by the military on their members.
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PV2 Donald Dean
Glenn McLaughlin - Pretty much. When you join the military you signed on the dotted line to be told how to shit and with which hand to wipe your ass with.
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CPT (Join to see)
PV2 Donald Dean - Having a flag design printed or embroidered on a piece of clothing is different from converting a "real" flag into a piece of clothing.
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Hey, this is a long thread. Read a whole bunch of it. Get real folks regulations can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t cover all situations. This comes from someone who wrote regulations for the Department of the Army as a civilian. The operative word here is good judgement and don’t let pet peeves cloud that judgement. That thought served me just fine as a senior NCO. Follow the regulation. If it isn’t in the regulation at any level, that’s when judgement comes in as well as the chain of command. Overly obnoxious NCOs and officers pushing foolish stuff are not good leaders and very bad for morale. A case in point during my time were hair cuts. If the cut was within Army regulations I let it be and didn’t push buzz cuts like mine. If it didn’t meet the reg I let them know.
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SPC Nils Hammer
Ha ha, haircuts; I remember in 1976 it was "the portion of the moustache that extends beyond the corners of the mouth will go no lower than a line drawn parallel to the lowest portion of the lower lip". I remember because no NCO ever accepted it and always demanded much shorter cuts, which I called "hitler" style.
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SSG David Hattan
Went into the PX as a retiree with my old 3 Day pack, OD color, over my shoulder with my flag above all my wings and unit patches. Still wore a military hair cut.
Was approached my a CSM and he went to chastise me about my back pack.
My answer to him was “I’m sure you’ll get over it”. And went about my business.
Was approached my a CSM and he went to chastise me about my back pack.
My answer to him was “I’m sure you’ll get over it”. And went about my business.
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I can't believe the amount of disrespect I've read on this forum referring to a CSM, especially from a full-bird Colonel who stated he liked butting heads with CSMs. Most field-grade officers and GOs that i encountered were respectful to CSMs and valued our opinions. Now I remember one of the reasons why I retired. To those respectful soldiers/leaders on this forum, please disregard my rant and thank you for your service...
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SFC Greg Bruorton
I don't view it as disrespect when 06s and E9s in the same unit trade banter; it is a good relationship between the two. But I'm guilty of violating sub para (g) as mentioned as I spent good money on a wood-burned flag replica having Airborne wings burnt in. I ain't throwing it away either!
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CPT (Join to see)
My CSM was often the only man who knew what was really going on. His knowledge and experience saved my butt on several occasions. I will always be thankful for his wisdom.
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PFC (Join to see) Does Fort Hood have their own regulations that they have you carry? Fort Bragg XVIII ABN Corps, 82D ABN and Fort Drum have there own additional post regulations. That being said if you are approached by the same CSM be tactful in your retort.
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SGM (Join to see)
Yes Ft Hood has its own Warrior Handbook http://www.hood.army.mil/files/PhantomStandardsBookletUnderRevision.pdf
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SGT Jeremy Nelson
As SGT Chen and SGM Stokes said FT Hood does have the III Corps handbook that every soldier on post is required to carry on their person. I've been out for four years now and only just "retired" my copy of the hand book from my pov last week, heh.
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CPT (Join to see)
Right or wrong just do what the CSM says. If nothing else it will prepare you for married life where your wife will ALWAYS rate one full grade above whatever rank you just happen to be.
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No. On the other hand, if one of your NCOs doesn't like it then don't do it.
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A bit late to the party on this one , but .....As a private I was taught to never put anything on my uniform or gear that wasn't either issued or approved by my CO ( and that could and did change from time to time as new policies were instituted ) . That stood me in good order for 21 years and after becoming an NCO I taught this to all whom I was charged with training or were under my command . And if not sure of something ASK , the only stupid question is one that's not asked when you're in doubt .
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SPC Nils Hammer
I worked at the va, and asked a guy some questions about the job, and told him most places don't like questions. He was in the navy and said "if you hear a funny noise, and don't ask about it, and the boat sinks, that would be a bad thing".
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You know I think we should be proud that soldiers want to display the flag on their back pack. The military has bigger problems to focus on such as sexual assault and harassment of men and women in the military. Sorry!!!
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Please research the definition of a flag. A "flag patch" that is intended to be worn, is not, in fact, a flag. It is essential to know the definition before making the decision.
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