Wearing Unauthorized Patches/Flags while deployed?

You want to show partnership while deployed to AFG... wear your ISAF patch.

I have worked Civilian/Military Operations before and I voted for "It can be helpful when building a partnership with another nation". I have not worn unauthorized patches though, but I have seen non-standard uniforms and facial hair with Soldiers doing this kind of work.

I can see the point of the results. In the cold war we traded all kinds of things with the Germans, British, Canadian, and French. We wore some of the items in the field and it did help the team effort with our national counterparts. After field exercises it was back to AR670-1.
I spent about 4 years in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. I would say the troops were very well disciple in the wear of the uniform. Vietnam and Cold War soldier had a lot more crazier stuff going on the helmet, web gear and boots. In some cases we went a little out of control. Meaning going native. So is harmful, no. Should a commander and senior NCO work with it and make boundaries, sure. I am glad this topic is being talked about.

Last time I was deployed, I was only allow to wear my unit patch, my"war" patch and the U.S. flag. With that said I wouldn't wear another nation flag for one simple reason I am an American in the United State Army.

No I would not I'm a U.S Solider there for I only wear the patches and flag that go on my uniform. If you read AR 670-1 it doesn't say I can wear a different nations flag on my uniform and I never will

Last I checked I'm in the U.S. Army, and the regulation is literally black and white. You shake hands or break bread to broker friendship.

I personally didn't wear another nations flag on my uniform while deployed but I did however wear a "give a fuck meter" patch that was always on empty.

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.

Where the soldier in the picture is wearing the Afghan flag, we wore a patch with Afghan and U.S. flags on my first deployment to Afghanistan and an ISAF patch on my second. Everybody wore it and I never heard any complaints, but I think there is a different attitude between people who work with locals all day, every day, like ETT's, and people in line units, who mainly work with Americans.

There used to be a saying:

"No combat ready unit ever passed inspection, No inspection ready unit ever passed combat."