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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GySgt William Hardy
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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.
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SGT Justin Singleton
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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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SGT Robert Jankowski
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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 Senior Instructor
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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
SGT Robert Jankowski
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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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SSgt Joe V.
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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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CPT Senior Instructor
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I see you are a fan of the "Shocker." Well played.
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SGT(P) Infantryman
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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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SPC Angel Guma
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Capt Mark Strobl
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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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SPC Angel Guma
SPC Angel Guma
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 %28kgrhqjhjfcfg%281stj22brvglcmnng  60 35
Sir-

When in Rome:
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PO3 Avionics Electrical Technician
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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 Senior Instructor
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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 Avionics Electrical Technician
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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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SrA Edward Vong
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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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MAJ Brigade S1
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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.
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
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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.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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Don't you have a snake patch in the Navy? Isn't it pretty much the same.
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
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Yes the "don't tread on me" patch is the patch with the snake on it.
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SPC Angel Guma
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Edited >1 y ago
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.
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