Why would an American guy be wearing an Army uniform with a Japanese flag and a Japanese name plate?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:45:30 -0400

Today at the Dfac I noticed we have some Japanese Military personnel here in Alaska well among them was a big guy wearing the OCP Army uniform with the Japan flag and Japan name plate along with a full beard. Would there be a logical reason for this it driving me crazy?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 1:23 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:23:05 -0400

Do you know for a fact he was an American? In Korea, the KATUSAs wear our uniforms with the ROK flag on it. Could be similar here if it is a JGSDF member support the Army.

Response by SSG William Sutter made Jun 2 at 2017 5:43 AM

SSG William Sutter — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 05:43:51 -0400

I would recommend asking the person next time. Don't be shy, better to ask than to drive yourself nuts for days.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 2 at 2017 7:33 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 07:33:35 -0400

Likely an LNO from another country.. though typically they wear there own uniform.. And if not, normally they must wear ours IAW our polices and regulations.
Same with other services wearing the Army uniform while deployed in a joint assignment. No matter what the parent service allows in uniform (say Air force, and earrings) When that AF fighter jock wearing Army multcams in Afghanistan, she will have to not wear the earrings as Army regs forbids it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 8:32 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 08:32:36 -0400

If the individual was American, more than likely he was an embedded advisor. Those can be SF or more likely civilian contractors hired for that purpose.
I'd ask the guy; what possible harm can come from it?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 1:12 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:12:03 -0400

My only interaction with Foreign Soldiers has been brief and each time they wore their nations uniform

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 1:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:14:24 -0400

yeah, he was not a us soldier.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 2 at 2017 8:22 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:22:39 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member At Corry Station, In My Day "Way Back When, During the Great War" that was the place all Military Spooks trained at so we had all 4 US Armed Forces running around, Additionally Seals would go there to Learn About Cryptology and being our Alliance with the US/UK/CAN/AUS/NZ They were there Too. So I saw a Bit of Variations on Themes of Uniforms. Ask Him About it.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 8:36 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:36:20 -0400

Sometimes we get too much 'Merica and forget that other nations use similar or same camouflage patterns that we do. Here is a link to a Wiki page that lists all the nations that currently use Multicam. Japan doesn't seem to be on the list, but that doesn't mean that they don't use it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiCam

MultiCam - Wikipedia

MultiCam is camouflage pattern designed for use in a wide range of conditions produced by Crye Precision. Variants of it, some unlicensed, are in use with armed forces. The pattern is also sold for civilian usage.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 3 at 2017 1:13 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 01:13:43 -0400

Civilian escort?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 2:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 02:24:07 -0400

becuase, stay in your lane.