Posted on Mar 27, 2015
Wearing Unauthorized Patches/Flags while deployed?
157K
1.08K
220
12
12
0
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
I am new to this site. But does it really effect the way I fight, or the way my soldiers fight if they have a fun meter on there kit? Or a doorkicker patch on there mag pouch? There is a time and place for everything. So much that American and German soldiers sang Christmas carols across their lines in Bastogne. If it makes a soldier feel good, or feel "cool" then so be it. Take it off when you get back to the states. To me this is no different than someone in a TOC getting on the net and telling me to blouse my trousers, and roll my sleeves down because a raven saw me sweating on a patrol.
(1)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) I think the deciding factor is does the patch support the mission and/or the Soldier's well being
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) But then who is the approving authority? If a BDE Commander were to see it would he be understanding of it? What happens when a soldier complains when he can't wear the patch he has and others can were theirs? He may not think it is offensive. It is a can of worms that I don't want to mess with.
(1)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
I think it comes down to the common sense line with the mission, which is tough.
Blood Type patch? Go ahead. Afghan flag because you're a trainer? Sure. WWJS (What would Jesus Shoot)? Absolutely not.
Blood Type patch? Go ahead. Afghan flag because you're a trainer? Sure. WWJS (What would Jesus Shoot)? Absolutely not.
(0)
(0)
CSM Richard Montcalm
SSG Odom, based on your comment, I guess it's OK for YOUR Soldiers to wear an earring while on patrol too, because, hey, it's cool and nobody can see it, right? Why not bring a long a cooler full of beer in your MRAP and have a few while out on patrol? No one is around and it would be 'cool' and build morale to violate a few orders just to prove how 'cool' you are, thumbing your nose at 'THE MAN'... You are putting yourself on a slippery slope- that is why there are regulations to begin with- so that EVERYONE plays by the same rules.
(0)
(0)
we should always have our us flag on all the time period. but in certain circumstances wearing that countries with ours is not an issue to me
(1)
(0)
Only wear what you have orders for. I've been out a long time. Has there ever been an instance where American soldiers were told to flag under another country?
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
That has never been the case that I have know of. The closest you would get is falling in under the UN and wearing their insignia but then you would still wear the US flag. Some wear a flag as a means to show a commitment to that country. But wearing a flag has a lot implications.
(1)
(0)
When in working groups we sometimes swapped patches, but I would switch back once we parted ways. I've seen a lot of Korean, and Japanese military members either in the US uniform, or wearing US flags and patches, I don't have a problem with that, and I don't see a problem with US personnel showing some camaraderie.
I don't like the hooah patches. It was usually the Air Force, but they'd be wearing full color Star Wars patches, superheroes, sports teams, etc. I remember sitting in the dinning facility and seeing a Yoda patch, a bright pink patch, and sports patch on three different Air Force Service Members.
I don't like the hooah patches. It was usually the Air Force, but they'd be wearing full color Star Wars patches, superheroes, sports teams, etc. I remember sitting in the dinning facility and seeing a Yoda patch, a bright pink patch, and sports patch on three different Air Force Service Members.
(1)
(0)
SGT Jeremiah B.
I wore a Japanese uniform one night after trading uniforms with a counterpart. I have no problem with that. I couldn't very well run around naked! (Also, we were pretty drunk. haha) I did switch back into my own uniform once I had access to one.
(2)
(0)
If
It's mission essential ...got
It...otherwise our country gets disrespected enough anyways, why cause more harm? No one has respect for anything nowadays...but is always demanding it
It's mission essential ...got
It...otherwise our country gets disrespected enough anyways, why cause more harm? No one has respect for anything nowadays...but is always demanding it
(1)
(0)
A conventional mindset is not the right answer in most cases. Foreign unit patches can assist in foreign relations, the same reason why there is relaxed grooming standards in some theaters. If you are training or partnered in that capacity then I believe discretion should be up to the unit.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
In some aspects I would agree with you. ODA and CA often do this. I have even seen them create a new patch and wear it, like the Afghan SF patch. But would the conventional units be subject to this?
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
If attached to these units then yes, but like earlier mentioned, if it does not warrant foreign relation building, then I think conventional units should stick to wearing authorized patches and insignia IAW UCMJ. I know that may seem like a double standard to some, but that's where discretion comes in.
(0)
(0)
"I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense."
I don't see anywhere in that that says that I serve in the military of another nation. Just sayin...
I don't see anywhere in that that says that I serve in the military of another nation. Just sayin...
(1)
(0)
I understand, but the standard. One time (many times) in Iraq, I saw US Soldiers that were wearing tabs and pathes they thought were funny.... Secret Squirrel patch on the rights sleeve... a CPT (yes a captain) wearing a tab over his patch that said "shitbag," and the list is long. Yes, if I saw it. I corrected it fast.
(1)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
SPC Angel Guma Last I was at the Camp Liberty PX, and Bagram too... then had many funny tabs and patches you could buy... but, they are not for the uniform. Just my conservative perspective.
(0)
(0)
Marines don't even wear our own Flag (most times), why would we wear someone else's Flag?
(1)
(0)
SSG David Shifflett
LOL, spoken well. The Marines are one, you start a fight with one and you end up fighting half the Marines and the others looking on....for an opening. Got to love our Marine brothers and sisters.
(1)
(0)
We should be able to only wear our US Flag. Why should we wear another countries flag? Is it really to show we are helping that country or to give that country "we are here to help"? Obviously we are there, since they aren't able to handle the situation.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I totally agree with you. That is my take on it. I don't understand why one would wear another countries flag. When you don a flag it means so much more than just being a patch.
(0)
(0)
If going beyond the wire with a partner force and as long as it's in good taste, more power to ya. I think day-to-day on FOB, conventional units should wear the proper uniform.
(0)
(0)
Only un-auth patches I had went on g.I. Vest after I retired.. only the Vets whose company I was in knew the translation.. maybe a few civilians that were of Vietnam descent ..
(0)
(0)
Who says the are unauthorized?? When assigned o a Multinational Forces and Observers rotation (6mo)- we were required to wear the MFO beret with that crest- not our Airborne Maroon one. It was required by the treaty and backed by the State Dept- that out trumped anything from DA. Bottom line there young LT- you will wear what you are ordered to wear and let higher sort it out if there is a problem.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
First, I will take the compliment but I am not all that young. I am 36. I just age really well. But the question was more in relation motivation patches or other patches that were not authorized. When I was deployed as a PL I saw another platoon where a bunch of random patches while out. I didn't let my platoon wear them. I didn't believe it was professional.
(0)
(0)
SGM Bill Frazer
1. Hooah. 2. I only saw unit type patches in the photo, so that's what I answered by 3. Agree Motional patches are great on you biker vest- civie coat, but not on your battle rattle.
(0)
(0)
I can't recall any soldiers on my deployment wearing non US flags. 2 or 3 wanted to wear a patch on the opposite shoulder of a US flag crossed with an Afghan flag. But that was squashed very quickly.
As far as moto patches, nearly all our platoons had them. And even some squads. My squad wore tabs that said "BN FUCKED US" inside a shoulder flap. Story behind that was my squad worked more closely with our BN stationed at another base than with Company elements. They routinely flat out ignored intel or asset requests from my section. So that tab was born from frustration of dealing with a higher command. I also had a Punisher skull added to one of my ISAF patches as homage to a 2006 deployment my unit did before I joined.
As far as moto patches, nearly all our platoons had them. And even some squads. My squad wore tabs that said "BN FUCKED US" inside a shoulder flap. Story behind that was my squad worked more closely with our BN stationed at another base than with Company elements. They routinely flat out ignored intel or asset requests from my section. So that tab was born from frustration of dealing with a higher command. I also had a Punisher skull added to one of my ISAF patches as homage to a 2006 deployment my unit did before I joined.
(0)
(0)
That would depend on the higher ups, I don't think so, unless you are deployed as a UN soldier, then you would display the UN Flag.
(0)
(0)
I don't think negative patches toward a host country does anybody any favor(s)
If a troop who's later a Vet chooses or as chosen to display such a patch will just have to deal with negative feelings toward them should they be confronted.
If a troop who's later a Vet chooses or as chosen to display such a patch will just have to deal with negative feelings toward them should they be confronted.
(0)
(0)
It is a moral booster and builds camaraderie amongst the platoon/troop/squadron.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next