Posted on Mar 27, 2015
CPT Senior Instructor
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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 in these groups: Imgres Deployment4276e14c Uniforms
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CW4 All Source Intelligence Technician
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I am just leaving security cooperation position at U.S. Army Pacific and the exchange/wear of another nations patch/flag truly helps to build rapport and advance personal relationships that ultimately build the foundation for partnership and capacity building.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I think it can help. I am working with another nations military. I don't wear any flags of any other nations. That is just me. Some others have. I have been able to build an extremely strong bond. But on the same token I have never seen any of my partners here wear a US flag yet.
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SSG Infantryman
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I personally have seen this alot when we are deployed and i think in a way its good for the men and morale. So long as its in good taste and not offensive i would not see an issue with it.
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SSG Infantryman
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now reading above i would never EVER condone wearing any FLAG other than that of the United States of America but additional patches i don't see a problem with.
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SSG(P) Instructor
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Improvise, adapt, overcome, these are traits of good leadership, even if they break the Uniform regs. In War, rules have to be bent to get the mission done.
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MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM
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I understand the regs but my opinion may be different here. It depends. How visible are you? Are you in Kabul, Bagram or Kandahar? Or are you at some remote and unknown FOB? Are the patches disrespectful to anyone? A little bit of relaxation goes a long way for morale when experiencing a hardship. There isn't a single person on this planet that is 100% by the book 100% of the time. If they say they are don't trust them.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I see where you are coming from with this. But keep in mind a Soldier from Alabama might put on a Confederate Flag as he is from the south. Another soldier from the New England Area might take offensive to it. How do you judge what is offensive or not. There are some patches out there that should not be worn. It is a slippery slop.
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Lt Col Nurse Anesthetist
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Well, perhaps the solider from New England needs to get over himself and stop being such a thin-skinned pansy. If they get offended by a rebel flag, they need to take themselves out of a war zone ASAP. I'm sick and tired of people whining about being offended. If a particular patch hurts good order and discipline, the commander (or First Sergent) can tell them to change it... problem solved, problem staying solved.
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MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM
MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM
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You totally missed my point. That's ok though, I wouldn't expect better from you.
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SSG Air Defense Battle Management System Operator
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If the C.O.C. approves there should be no issue. If my unit approves of patches I would wear a funny one, for morale. Nothing heals pain faster than laughter.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I can say I have never seen a unit command do that. It could happen but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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SGT Materials Identifier
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This picture looks photo shopped. that being said, a U.S Soldier should only be wearing a U.S. patch.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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It is. It was a recreation of an event that may or may not have happened in the said country or a country nearby, not limiting any other nation, for the purpose of demonstration for the topic.
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SSG Scott Burk
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Commanders should decide the wearing of "host country" patches.
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SSG Section Sergeant
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Are we talking about wearing another nation's flag on our uniform sleeve, or are we talking about wearing "motivational" patches on our kits? Two totally different things if you ask me.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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It really encompasses both. You are not allowed to wear any unauthorized patches on any military uniform. If you don't enforce this regulation you will be inviting chaos to your unit. It may or may not happen. But if you wear a mechanic patch and think it is cool and then another soldiers wears a confederate flag on his kit then who are you to tell him to take off his unauthorized when you are wearing one. Even worse what if a fight happens over the confederate flag and a soldier is hurt. I can guarantee that the soldier that was wearing the confederate flag will say that it can where patches because his section leader does. What motivates you may not motivate others. To avoid this we ban all unauthorized patches.
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SSG Section Sergeant
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...and the PC police go rampant. I still believe a kit and a uniform are two different things. If the Command climate is such to allow question about what right and wrong is, then you have bigger problems than a "motivational" patch.
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1SG Tim Gunst
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At no time should a US military personnel ever wear a Allied patch. No matter what the circumstances are. You are in the United States military period. I understand trying to bond with allied nations but that isn't the way to do it.
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SSG Section Sergeant
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and then there's the NATO missions we get assigned to...
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SGT Kristin Myers
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My guys had different random patches but I only allowed them to be worn under their pocket, out of sight. If they wanted to show someone, that was ok. But then it was back under wraps. As for other countries and us displaying their flag on our shoulder, I believe that is a no go. We are already there in support of their mission and country, there should be no need to display their flag on our uniform.
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