Posted on Mar 27, 2015
Wearing Unauthorized Patches/Flags while deployed?
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On deployments you may see some uniform variations that would not be seen while stateside. One of them is the wearing of patches. Do you or have you seen this while you were deployed. If you were working with another nation's military would you wear their flag on your uniform as a sign of partnership? Can this get carried away or is it a means to show some motivational patch? Should be strictly adhere to our regulation even while deployed?
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Deployment
Uniforms
Deployment Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 97
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Shohna ba Shohna. Some of y'all should know that phrase.
So, I can tell y'all when I was out in the COP, JSS, or on mission there was no telling what uniform I might be in. Sleeves rolled, patches on or off, whatever.
But, If I was in an engagement with foreign leadership I would clean up and look professional. If I was on a FOB, I would pull he proper uniform out of my "go" bag in the truck and look the part.
But it is just not deployment. We do this here in the rear too. USARAK wants Soldiers to wear an ARCITC tab for Soldier that have been to Cold weather school. I haven't found that one in 670-1.
I think the bottom line for me is at good order and discipline. Does wearing an Iraqi or Afghani flag on your left sleeve hurt the good order and discipline? Does it support the mission?
So, I can tell y'all when I was out in the COP, JSS, or on mission there was no telling what uniform I might be in. Sleeves rolled, patches on or off, whatever.
But, If I was in an engagement with foreign leadership I would clean up and look professional. If I was on a FOB, I would pull he proper uniform out of my "go" bag in the truck and look the part.
But it is just not deployment. We do this here in the rear too. USARAK wants Soldiers to wear an ARCITC tab for Soldier that have been to Cold weather school. I haven't found that one in 670-1.
I think the bottom line for me is at good order and discipline. Does wearing an Iraqi or Afghani flag on your left sleeve hurt the good order and discipline? Does it support the mission?
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The ones I saw the most were worn on their vest, but they were still unauthorized IAW AR 670-1
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CPT (Join to see)
Yea but our CoC didn't want to have any of that so the guys what wore it, only wore them once RP'd and took them off once we RTB'd.
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Always represent your own flag no matter where you are unless you are special ops and need to blend.
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I think if the patch provides a tactical, operational, or strategic value and doesn't discredit the service or the nation, I don't see a problem with it. As an example with the picture you posted, the Afghan flag can serve to show one team and support to the area they are working in. It doesn't take away from the service member or the nation. Wearing the unit patch of a partnered unit also sends a message of support to the mission.
Where I see a problem is when Soldiers start putting unauthorized patches and tabs (powerpoint ranger, ect). These serve no value to the unit or the mission and therefore should not be allowed.
A double standard? Yes, but when we apply a little leadership and common sense, we should be able to make the right decision.
Where I see a problem is when Soldiers start putting unauthorized patches and tabs (powerpoint ranger, ect). These serve no value to the unit or the mission and therefore should not be allowed.
A double standard? Yes, but when we apply a little leadership and common sense, we should be able to make the right decision.
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We're operating in countries where people can't read the "unauthorized" patches anyway. If morale is helped by having some fun with "unauthorized" patches, then it's worth it. As someone who's primary job puts him in an aircrew position, I personally have a huge collection of "unauthorized" patches and wear them freely on the aircraft... as does everybody else.
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CPT (Join to see)
I still think it can get out of control. If one was to see a patch like this it is something that can be offensive. But when you are dealing with so many soldiers you are going to have to introduce an official standard. If challenged you will have a hard time to defend one unauthorized patch vs another unauthorized patch.
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LTC (Join to see)
It has to be done in good taste and polite humor. That patch would be offensive to many Muslims with its reference to crusaders. It also draws analogies that we do not want to make to our current mission and the distant past.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
It can get out of control, but that's where it takes being a good leader to gently say "take that bullshit off and put on something else."
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Call me old fashion but follow the regs. They exist a reason. It also helps to properly id you in a hurry.
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I feel that it wouldn't be a problem but i think we should just wear the flag of our nation. We are US soldiers not another nation. Represent
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