Wearing Unauthorized Patches/Flags while deployed?

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.

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.

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

In addition to the subdued flag on my ball-cap while deployed, these patches were also readily visible...

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.

I think we should leave this up to the units at the front. They understand the situation they are in.

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.

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.

yeah i personally have been chewed out for wearing the "don't tread on me" patch. i don't see what the problem is wearing it.

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.