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?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 97
As I read the post, it asked about patches/flags....
1. US military members wear only the US Flag.
2. As far as patches go, there were a number of "alternative" patches and tabs that were for sell in Iraq when I was there. I was in a gun truck unit, but I was the operations sergeant and rarely went out on a mission. Some of the guys in my platoon had bought a FOBIT tab they found on a run to Anaconda and gave it to me when they got back after a mission. For those that were not over there, a FOBIT is a person who spends his time on the FOB. For the old timers, we use to call them REMF. I wore that tab for several days. It wasn't like I was wearing a real tab which would come under stolen valor. It was me getting busted by my guys and me being a good sport about it.
3. When I arrived in Iraq, I was wearing a combat patch that was not authorized in my service record. My last combat unit was from the Marine Corps from back in Vietnam. I was able to get several 1st Marine Air Wing subdued patches and attached Velcro to it. Nobody from private to colonel who asked me about the patch said I needed to remove it. After I returned, I wore one of 3 patches from the Army that I was authorized to wear.
4. I also am a gamer. At the time my online gaming name was Slydr.Vet. I had the shop down at Camp Shelby, MS make me a name tag. I then had a guy take my picture so I could post it online for my gaming community. I never tried to wear it as a part of the uniform outside of the immediate area of my barracks while taking some pictures.
When some of the guys did things like I did, it was no big deal. We were just having a bit of fun.
1. US military members wear only the US Flag.
2. As far as patches go, there were a number of "alternative" patches and tabs that were for sell in Iraq when I was there. I was in a gun truck unit, but I was the operations sergeant and rarely went out on a mission. Some of the guys in my platoon had bought a FOBIT tab they found on a run to Anaconda and gave it to me when they got back after a mission. For those that were not over there, a FOBIT is a person who spends his time on the FOB. For the old timers, we use to call them REMF. I wore that tab for several days. It wasn't like I was wearing a real tab which would come under stolen valor. It was me getting busted by my guys and me being a good sport about it.
3. When I arrived in Iraq, I was wearing a combat patch that was not authorized in my service record. My last combat unit was from the Marine Corps from back in Vietnam. I was able to get several 1st Marine Air Wing subdued patches and attached Velcro to it. Nobody from private to colonel who asked me about the patch said I needed to remove it. After I returned, I wore one of 3 patches from the Army that I was authorized to wear.
4. I also am a gamer. At the time my online gaming name was Slydr.Vet. I had the shop down at Camp Shelby, MS make me a name tag. I then had a guy take my picture so I could post it online for my gaming community. I never tried to wear it as a part of the uniform outside of the immediate area of my barracks while taking some pictures.
When some of the guys did things like I did, it was no big deal. We were just having a bit of fun.
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I don't mind motivational patches (we wore "recon" tabs under our boonies), but I don't like the idea of wearing another country's flag.
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Local commanders would authorize uniform variations based on the local situation. Some times it was also advisable to wear the same uniforms as the indigenous forces to help blend in with them and make them feel more like they're all one team
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CPT (Join to see)
True. I think that there is a time and place. But most conventional forces really don't warrant it. I can understand a MET team or advisers.
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SGT Robert Jankowski
We were actually told no patches other than name, rank and US Army, IR flag on both shoulders and that was it. Depending on what was going on, there may be more sanitation of the uniforms.
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In addition to the subdued flag on my ball-cap while deployed, these patches were also readily visible...
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
CoC didn't really care as long as we weren't in formation with them on. Outside the wire they really weren't worried about what patches you had on your sleeve
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When in Rome... If it helps everyone to ID each other while not detracting from the mission, this sure beats "Hi, My Name Is... " tags. This sort of thing was always 1.) temporary, and 2.) mission-specific.
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I think we should leave this up to the units at the front. They understand the situation they are in.
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CPT (Join to see)
I think that would be dangerous. It would vary from unit to unit and would take away from uniformity. Then how do you regulate an unofficial patch and who says if it is ok to wear or not. You would get into a sticky situation pretty quick.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Fair enough, you make a good point. I suppose I just like the idea of a customized military. Seems like its good for morale, but the detrimental effects could out weigh any of the good.
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As long as your team and your nation is sitting on top of the other one, it should be fine. The patches should not contain derogatory statements or anything demeaning to another group though.
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I think it can be helpful in building the partnership. It shows solidarity in the partnership. It demonstrates that you aren't an "Occupying Force" and are more of a partner force there to help and mentor. However, it depends on the relationship as well. By that I mean, are you working closely with the Afghans, or are you a security force? Are you Civil Affairs or a trainer with NATO?
There are also many patches that aren't authorized that are also useful when deployed or outside the wire, such as blood type.
There needs to be a common sense approach to uniforms when deployed.
There are also many patches that aren't authorized that are also useful when deployed or outside the wire, such as blood type.
There needs to be a common sense approach to uniforms when deployed.
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If its not in regs, then it doesn't count. I'm usually not a stickler for regs, but not when it comes to flags, patches, ribbons or anything else. Stick to regs, because we're a professional military.
On a side note though I actually came up with a patch that said: SPQR on top of a wreathe, but that was just for fun and I didn't hawk it around.
On a side note though I actually came up with a patch that said: SPQR on top of a wreathe, but that was just for fun and I didn't hawk it around.
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If you are working with soldiers from another nation, and language is different - wearing their flag might be an important coordination issue - to prevent 'friendly fire'. But if the US soldiers were going to wear that other country flag, I would expect those other soldiers to wear the US flag on their uniform. For the same prevent 'friendly fire' reason.
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While in Saudi Arabia, we weren't allowed to wear our flag or display it on our own post...I was hasseled by our 1stSGT for having a flag mounted on our maintenance van...WTF!
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
this also happened to me on one of my deployments.. couldn't even wear the american flag on our body armor
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CPT (Join to see)
In reality they can't. It is banned in 670-1. They would have to get an exception to policy. I don't think that this would ever be something that is officially approved, outside of the SF community
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They don't wear our flag when they are working with us why would we even think about wearing there's. Some joe just trying to look cool. There is no place for that.
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As a Seabee/CEC Officer in Kabul in 2006, everyone in the command (CSTC-A) wore a pin with the Afghan/US flags above our name tape...
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Personally, I don't see a problem if they wear the allies flag under the American flag on their shoulder. It would promote the alliance. I have to say no to wearing only the allies flag
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CPT (Join to see)
It can but it would represent that you are affiliated or aligned with that country. When I was in Iraq I never wanted to wear an Iraqi Flag or be affiliated with their Country. If the people of that country see that they may think I man be under the command of their gov.
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Context and execution are everything. There's no one answer to this. Done well, it can help with team building. Done poorly, the opposite can occur..
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