The Fun Meter patch is a classic.
Now, this may surprise some of you, but morale patches have been very popular in the War on Terror. I blame video games and horseless carriages. I am also not immune to the disease, I love patches.
My favorite of all time is the ubiquitous “fun meter” patch, if only because it pissed off the Command Sergeant Major of 3rd Special Forces Group so much it was included by name in the Group Uniform Regulations book.
Anything that gets the CSM sparky enough to have a vein throbbing in his forehead visible from space has to be good. The only way to make that any better would obviously be to put it on a baseball hat and walk into SOCOM HQ.
Buy this patch. Just don’t wear it if you haven’t earned it.
As we go into the Christmas season with gusto, a lot of us are grabbing at last minute gifts like a drowning man at a life preserver. This may surprise you from the normal attention to detail in my videos, but this year my TBI has run off with my shopping list, leaving me in the same boat.
So I was searching the online store of my friends over at Ronin Tactics, and I saw something that prompted me to make this column. Today we are talking a bit about patch etiquette.
In the modern world of online shopping, it is very easy to purchase something that is a grave insult to very dangerous people, should they see it on your plate carrier at a training event. And it is easy to do that by accident.
Hell, there are some unscrupulous chuckleheads on Amazon right now, selling Hog’s Teeth. Which is a very good way to get into a fight with 22-year-olds that are good at fighting. Those kinds of things are earned, not bought. And certainly not made in China.
You can buy a Hog’s Tooth on Amazon right now. But do so at your own risk.
So how does this affect patches? Basically, it is one thing to buy patches for your collection on the inside of your gun safe, and quite another to roll into 7/11 wearing them. And this isn’t just a civilian thing.
SEE ALSO: Clay Martin’s First Novel, ‘Last Son of the War God’
I have patches from friends in other units I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing. They are awesome gifts, and generally not something just handed out. You have to pass the cool test first. But just because you pas the cool test doesn’t mean they belong on your jacket.
A prominent example here is a patch I got from a Ranger Sniper Platoon. It was humbling to receive, and I am very appreciative. But I have never been in a Ranger Battalion or in a Ranger Sniper Platoon. So it goes next to my SEAL ones, or my EOD ones, or my AC-130 gunship one.
So how does this affect anyone out there buying patches? Well, from a Veteran perspective, it is pretty humbling that people want the badge of our units. That is some borderline emotional shit. Not for me obviously, I just cut some onions. But for other guys. It’s a pretty big ego shot that people think so highly of the terrorist slaying we did, they want our talisman to ward off jihad. And I totally get it.
You can pick up this patch at Ronin Tactics.
So as a general rule, don’t wear patches of specific military units. Collect them, by all means. But don’t wear them. The patch in question from Ronin Tactics belongs to a very specific Army Direct Action unit, of which I was also a part of. It is totally sweet, and best believe I bought one in each color. If you support your local 15-6 Door Kickers, you should have one too. But keep them where they belong, unless you were part of the team.
My husband served in Vietnam on the South PAC your in the Navy. He has the Dragon patch on the back of his jacket. I have a” Proud Navy wife of Viet Nam” could I add the South PAC your patch with that?
Is the spartan shield insignia associated with any units? I am looking at purchasing one of these patches.
My son hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.. I wear his lightening bolt on my coat.. Is that wrong? It makes me feel better
I’m so sorry for your loss. Not wrong. At all. Share that story to anyone who asks.
I wear a subdue Texas flag (patch) on my plate carrier. Everyone does in the 101st can someone let me know if it’s unauthorized. I have one NCO on my case about it and I can’t find any supporting docs about it, thanks in advance.
I’ve never been in the military although my brother served in Afghanistan and Iraq. I do have some sniper patches which I wear proudly giving respect to those who took and continue to take out our enemies who are residing in the next zip code. God Bless All that served!
Or you can just join the Corps and not worry about that patch nonsense at all.
Kinda like wearing a tshirt with horizontal 1cm blue and white stripes in russia.that’ll get your arse handed to you by spetsnaz who are the dudes who earned that shirt.
Or selling onions in France land.
I have a tremendous respect for the veterans of our great country. I was a pain in the ass kid for my parents and it took me until my late 20’s to really grow up. I could have really benefited from the military. I believe it should be mandatory for an 18 y.o. to serve for 4 years. I believe it would teach some of today’s kids some maturity and respect for our country.
Wear a patch or anything I didn’t earn? NO WAY. I don’t even park in the veteran’s parking spot at The Home Depot on busy days.
” I don’t even park in the veteran’s parking spot at The Home Depot on busy days.”
Wow, such reverence! You have to be kidding me!!!
Look up, Teminal Lance #216 compensation
Another great post, Clay. ‘Stars forward’, always wondered about that, thanks. Anyway keep writing like this and I’ll be forced to check your book out.
Wish I knew that when I was 18. Was good to go to join the Marine Corps like my father 68-71, and my grandfather a raider. Got some ink on my right arm with waving Old Glory. Stripes forward, wish I was not do dumb, as I meant to get it with full patriotism. Became a volunteer firefighter instead and EMT.
Years ago I read a story about a General that was exposed by subordinates for having three oak leaf clusters on his dress ribbons when he was only entitled to one, he committed suicide after being exposed, so if you have ever exaggerated or embellished a story you know what to do. Thats right, fart loudly and blame the guy next to you.
I joined the service to get out in the World! I always felt I was in good company! Even when I was in the Navy Reserve! I wasn’t seeing enough of our world, so I renlisted to get in the Army, like my father. My Teachers, Principal, My uncles all served in WW11, & I Didn’t think hearing stories from others, was enough for me. I wanted to be able to tell my own stories. Big mistake! Lot safer to listen! I ended up in the 82nd Airborne Division, jumped into Turkey, for training, slept in 4” of water on the Tarmac, in Spain, I believe, and ate watermelons when we landed. I got trucked in, and it was scarier than any jump I ever did! Back of a semi dump truck, Turkish driver, and we started at the back of the convoy, and arrived at the head of the convoy! Three vehicles passing each other on a two lane road, largest vehicle has righ-of-way! Should have had a Special Patch, just for that ride! Couldn’t take North Carolina, reinlisted for Germany! Ended up in the 8th Infantry, AIRBORNE. Met my wife of 50 years, had a great time, but still haven’t seen enough of my World, for my satisfaction!
Volunteered For Vietnam, ended up in the 173rd Combat Engineers Airborne, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Caught mortars 2 at a time, received Purple Heart! Seen enough of the World, went home well satisfied, didn’t need to reinlist anymore, went home, retired as a Heavy Equiptment Operator! I’ve got my own stories, but never thought my service was anymore important than any of my veterans, reguardless of their Branch! But mostly, I was glad that the people of the USA, kept this Country a Great place to come back to! & a big thanks to my Dr.s & Nurses, for saving my life! I guess my favorite Patch is the US Flag, that’s what I was there for! Welcome Back to all of you, glad you made it, too! Merry Christmas! Vietnam 68!
Holy S*** Guys, It is not about a “Patch” it is about the respect that an American boy/girl deserves for going above and beyond. it is about standing up and giving Uncle Sam a blank check that says “including my life” and soldering on. If you were subjected to terrible conditions, outnumbered and finally won, well then you set the bar. You should be proud about your
deeds, and if someone wants to celebrate your effort, so be it! if they say that they were there………..unholster the 1911.
proof to be determined
Z.
GunsAmerica and Clay Martin are advocating for physically assaulting someone/anyone if I don’t like the way theyre dressed. What happened to the freedom and liberty you fought for? So former and active duty soldiers are allowed to dole out their own form of justice on unsuspecting citizens? Okay, likewise lawabiding citizens are allowed to defend themselves against an attacker. I hope you don’t get your head blown off for assaulting someone over their attire, but then again you would’ve gottten exactly what you asked for.
Relax, Francis. Warning of the potential for violence isn’t the same as advocating it. Point of fact, being caught posing (or even “appropriating”) by a BTDT crew is far more likely to get sarcastic ridicule (most in the community are blessed with a razor-sharp wit). Anyone who is so thin-skinned as to react to ridicule with violence should understand what they’re fighting for (vanity) and who they’re fighting against (folk who may have already proven themselves against better).
I had a grandpa who was in the 9th armoured division in WW2, I wear a M-41 jacket with the 9th armoured division patch, corpral stripes, and on the built on shoulder boards are a set of G.D. tabs he had put on.
I am 50 and look much younger, I wear it all the time, I have NEVER SAID , PRETEND, ACTED LIKE I WAS IN THE SERVICE, NEVER, I believe that that is stolen valour, and I have MANY WW2 patched field jackets and a couple of tanker jackets, again i have NEVER IMPLIED that i was in the service, i HAD joined the MARINE CORPS and about fpur weeks before i was supposed to REACH MY DREAM, I absolutely destroyed my righy leg in a rodeo accident and could not join the USMC, and I all i EVER WANTED WAS TO BE A UNITED STATES MARINE,
I WEAR military hat’s, shirts, British paratrooper smocks, and AGAIN, I have NEVER embarrassed myself by even hinting that i was in the service,
I WILL NOT wear anything from OIF or
Anything with Afganastan on it, I MAY be mistaken for that . I have NEVER WORN a earned medal for VALOUR,
I ONLY WEAR WW2 AMERICAN, GERMAN, BRITISH, CANADIAN THINGS. The reason i do i reckon is because of the effects of the injury and MY ONLY ONE DREAM IN LIFE WAS TAKEN FROM ME, MY DAD WAS IN THE AIRFORCE AND I wear his unit patches (witch believe it or not) doesn’t exist anymore, I have so much
GRATITUDE for our service members for keeping us free. THANK YOU. I REALLY don’t think that any one is going to think i was in WW2 FOR the US, GERMAN, UK, or any other nation,
I have had cancer AND LLOK IT LOL
I have a huge limp, and I just happen to collect military patches, along with anything else military, I reckon ill always have a very big hole in mmy heart to be a US MARINE. HECK EVEN MY BIRTHDAY IS NOVEMBER-10-1967
I wear it out of RESPECT, thank you veterans for my FREEDOM’S AND MY LIBERRTY! may GOD keep you and your family close and safe. Todd
Todd,
Sorry you weren’t able to realize your dream, my friend. Sounds like you would have been an asset to the USMC. I believe you when you say your dad’s unit doesn’t exist anymore. I was in the USAF and the Calif. Air NG. My guard unit was out of Compton, CA. It was the 148th Combat Comm. Sqdn. and part of the 162nd Combat Comm. Group. If you look up the 162nd now, it’s something totally different…like a missile group or something similar.
I, too, have a jacket I wear that belonged to my dad, a hero from Operation Market Garden in WW2. Honoring someone you loved should never be a cause for confrontation, except by those EDPs who are just going to look for something to get upset over. I hope no one ever confronts you for your support of the military!
Stay safe, my friend!! Merry Christmas!!
I would never wear a unit patch, or anything else I did not earn. However, my 12 year old grandson has a digital field jacket he really likes to wear and he wants a 101st Airborne patch for it in remembrance of his great grandfather (my dad) who entered Europe through Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge (and helped liberate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, from which I have photos). Obviously he would not be mistaken for a member of this outfit, and I would never deny him this, but want to point out there is a time and place for this.
Have it sown on the back of his jacket instead of the sleeve. Encourage to collect other units too. I have some leftover II Field Force patches (subdued) from my Vietnam “vacation”. Send me an address and I’d be proud to send him one to ware with his 101 patch.
Stolen valor for wearing a patch?
Stolen valor is pretending to be someone you are not, and never were. Whether you wear a patch to do it or not, doesn’t matter.
Just because I wear the cap my Navy aviator son-in-law gave me from his unit doesn’t make me a Navy aviator, nor do I pretend it does. Now, if someone asked me about that cap, and I started telling lies about how I was a pilot, that would fall under stolen valor.
GI Etiquette for Dummies..
The Civilian world treats us well. Compared to the way any of other countries Vets are treated for example : Soviet Vets from Afghanistan (Suffice to say it was pretty bad) Of course we all know the problems … we deal and work to improve things.
While we all agree someone putting on the Uniform who has not earned it. Or running a Scam as a Vet or Fake Vet. is disgusting possibly illegal..
Every one needs to keep in mine.. Earning and Maintaining the Trust, Support and Goodwill of the American people comes first before anything .. before .. giving a xxxx about this patch or that shirt or hat.. and it should.
Call a Stolen Valor out carefully… A while back one turned out to be a Mentally Handicapped kid who just idolized GIs
Don’t act like some entitled third world Sphincter Muscle.
Our Job is/was to serve the people .. Defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies Foreign and Domestic
Stay Humble … they thank you for your service.. Thank them for working hard. paying taxes, giving us good equipment being a people it is a privilege and honor to serve.
Because it truly is.. A Privilege and an Honor to Serve the wonderful American people.. even with all the problems you know darn well it is…
Make it a point to tell them that.. they have earned it.
Fuck it go ahead and wear a HOGs tooth, all the dudes getting em handed out at sniper school didn’t earn em either, a true HOG is one who has “hunted a gunman” and then taken a round from said snipers rifle as a symbol of the “bullet with his name on it” to be worn as a “HOGs tooth” there are probably very very few if any at all from the GWOT campaigns that have real HOGs teeth
Man, I’d rather have a sharp stick in the eye than insult a vet. I have one a black cap with a black/green American (velcro) flag.
Thats not an outfit or anything is it?
Thanks,
Craig
I have had vets be insulted simply for wearing midnight digital camo that the navy uses. I don’t care about their feelings about this, this is America, you can wear whatever patches you want whether or not you “earned” them or were part of the team.
What’s disrespectful is people thinking they have the right to control how a person dresses like this, like are we muslims, gonna force people to wear burqas?
Any citizen can display a state flag patch with an American flag patch and a moral patch and name tape on a jacket, how do you know whether or not they are in a militia?
Yes, this is America and you can wear whatever you want. Hunters have worn camo for more than 200 years beginning with buckskins. That’s one of the things I gave 21+ years of my life to defend and pay for as a 100% disabled veteran. I get embarrassed by people thanking me for my service, but I tell them that all Americans are part of the “Team”, and help the troops in many ways.
What I find offensive is when people wear medals they never earned. Or sitting at an intersection begging for handouts. Or bragging about their service, especially in combat, when they never joined, never got out of the states, or never made it into the combat theater. I used to catch even young GIs wearing badges, ribbons, or medals they were not entitled to wear. They paid the price for their error in judgement.
Go to Oakland Ca with a “Hells Angels” patch on and see how fast cry back to mama , tough guy
Wow, comparing members of our military service with motorcycle gang members. SMH. If that’s what our soldiers have become then that’s just sad. However, I don’t believe that to be the case. I would hope most don’t get so butthurt over someone wearing a patch or hogs tooth to resort to violence or tactics used my the progressive left.
Personally, I have worn 101st and Ranger patches. Why? Because my father was both and I wear them to honor him and his service. Do I pretend to be either? Hell no! I wear a USMC digital boonie hat every day. I have had people try to thank me for “my service” and I kindly inform that I have never served but also appreciate our men/women who have served.
Lastly, if anyone ever wants to call me on it in public then they can bring it on. I will never let anyone make me think, as an American, as the son of a proud 101st/Ranger, I’m wrong for wearing them. My dad doesn’t have a problem with it nor any of the other 7 members of my family that have served. Take the identity politics, special snowflake crap and leave it for the liberals.
I sometimes wear a sailor’s outfit, with ass-less chaps. What does that mean? Do you think someone will accuse me of stolen valour?
Only if you “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
I have 3 patches on shirts I wear, one has a C.A.R patch another a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and a Semper Fi patch. I had them put on red shirts for Fridays. I earned the patches I do not wear any Bad ass type patches mainly because I carry all the time and a bad guy will likely take out anyone he/she deems the most dangerous threat, I want them to not notice me, 24 years in Law Enforcement you learn a few things. I also usually wear a pink shirt when going to the store or Walmart, side benefit women are more friendly. I guess they trust men in pink shirts.
You are so correct, Clay! All these mutton heads who have a beef with what you’re saying were clearly not in direct action within an AoA. If you were in any kind of a Warfighting unit, the proper medals and patches was part of military discipline and knowledge. keep it up, Clay. In spite of the knuckleheads.
I recently caught a wanna be at a class reunion wearing a special forces hat with vietnam veteran on it. Asked him for his ODA he looked like I had two heads, I despise wanna be’s.
As far as a medic being called doc,get your ass in the field with the grunts if it makes you so angry,pencil neck.
All these supposed Gung-Ho Wanna-Bees never served in the Military and all they do is THUMP their Chests like their Patriots when their actually REMF’s
I don’t think I’d carry that far, excommunicating a citizen for honoring a unit by wearing their badge.
Yeah, if he’s in a uniform and you are pretty damned sure he’s stealing it, he’s a Chickenhawk and may the Harpies of War descend upon him.
But if it’s a patch on a ball cap, a backpack, etc. come on guys, they are the people who fund us in our direct action…hell, my unit costed a hell of a lot more to run than the door kickers…never wanted to be the one knocking on those doors, so mad respect for you brothers in that field, but give the civilian a break man…take it as a form of compliment, he’s not stealing the valor he’s showing his respect for the unit.
My two cents, spend it wisely.
“Some gave a little, some gave all, some just made a down payment.”
Okay, this has gone full retard. I get the stolen valor critique when someone intentionally wears ribbons they didn’t earn or says they were in this unit or that. But jacking someone for an errant morale patch??? Go back to tattoos if you want authentic association.
Ok, read a few posts about the incorrect shoulder a flag patch was worn on by posers and LEO’s. How about the fact that it is strickley against US flag protocol to have ANY insignia or picture attached to the flag. My opinion is that Ranger Sniper Patch is in clear violation.
You are so correct that I’m surprised no other readers have mentioned this. Either they are ignorant or they don’t care if they disrespect the flag. Seems to me the NFL is doing enough of that.
U.S. flag code is not law, so who cares? Making images combining the flag and other symbols is perfectly moral, absolutely not disrespectful in any way.
I say this as a proud American who has raised and folded many a flag.
I have heard and read the same thing, NOTHING goes over the American flag.
I get the outrage that military people feel when someone is wearing a patch or item that they don’t deserve.
Yet it is tolerated and even encouraged to call medics “Doc” or other healthcare providers “doctor” when they have not gone to medical school or completed a residency. As a physician that has gone through medical school and devoted decades to healthcare I find this interesting.
I recently caught a wanna be at a class reunion wearing a special forces hat with vietnam veteran on it. Asked him for his ODA he looked like I had two heads, I despise wanna be’s.
As far as a medic being called doc,get your ass in the field with the grunts if it makes you so angry,pencil neck.
I have yet to see a real doctor in the field. Generally they are in the rear with kerosene rags tied to their ankles.
That keeps the sugar ants from eating their candy ass up.
I find the double standard very interesting
Sorry MKA but I am a real MD and a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and know and served with several MD’s in OEF on the front lines with the Special Forces. I was assigned to FOB 3-2 in Asadabad, Afghanistan with the 19th SFGA and the 3rd SFGA and yes, was out doing missions with my brothers because it was the right thing to do. Lost my Orthopedic Surgery practice in the States on that deployment as well because of the length of time I was gone. So maybe you just never got the chance to see those of us that have “been there, done that” don’t criticize what you don’t know. BTW I never saw a real doc with kerosene rags on their ankles as well.
I’m old school Vietnam. In the field, a medic was about as close as you would get to a real doctor with all the training and the diploma. If you’re in need of medical attention, you wouldn’t care if the guy who renders it is a medic or “doc”. You just want to get patched up and back into the fray to help your buddies who are still fighting.
As for the art on flags, while it is considered bad form, our country has long allowed it as a form of freedom of speech. We never passed a law prohibiting desecration of our national icon. The same applies to the NFL stunts. The 1st Amendment has been allowed to expand far beyond what the Founders would ever have imagined.
Personally, with BLM and ANTIFA, and all the scandals in Washington DC, I feel we have far more serious problems to work on than sweating about patches, though it might serve us well if we cracked down on some of the minor things in order to start rebuilding the Team America. There actually can be a case of too much freedom, and I believe we have reached that point when I take my granddaughters out and we are forced to put up with people using profanity as a basic form of communication. Our country is filled with people who lack respect for history, traditions, and decency.
I understand how you feel about medics getting called Doc when they haven’t went through the years of schooling and the massive debt you have. But please take a look at what you do. You save life. That’s your job. And our medics may not have had the school you have, but have you had to learn to reconnect arteries from IED’s while a firefight is going on. Highly unlikely. Our medics earn the title Doc. They are our life savers. Their schooling while not from university was learn through adversity. They have to learn or we die. Period. You are right they did not have the time to have someone walk them through it on a corpse or pig or power point. If they didn’t get it we were the corpse. Can you do the same? No time to plan, no turning down hard shit cause it might screw up your rating, in an anything but sterile environment? They learn what you have forgot. It’s about life not schools.
As an anesthesiologist I do this every day, whether it is taking care of a vasculopath, ruptured abdominal aneurysm, ascending aortal dissection, amniotic fluid embolism, steam roller crush injury, the list of bad injuries that doctors do on their own on the fly without having someone to hold their hand is staggering…i don’t claim credit that I don’t deserve, I find it interesting that posters trying to shame me for pointing out the double standard…
Your “double standard” is OK with me. It’s your right. However, the average grunt gets basic first aid training, while medics get a more intensive training. Many of them can do the same things many doctors do. They just do not have the sheepskin hanging on the wall.
You are absolutely correct! I have been in the medical field for 25 years. I am currently on a Level 1 Trauma Team in Chicago. Battlefield Medics have my utmost respect and can be called anything the “patients” that depend on them wish to call them.
I am a 72 year old, 100% combat disabled Vietnam Vet. I also served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Chief (E-7) in 1985. My wife is also a retired Vet. We live in a Navy town here in the Pacific North West and enjoy the fact that we have the military here. We earned the privilege to shop at the base commissary and exchange. Unfortunately there’s not a week that goes by when someone isn’t caught shopping at our facilities who haven’t earned the right to shop there. Stolen Valor? Yes! When you impersonate an active duty or retired military member you are stealing their hard earned benefits, and their valor. Our base is a Naval Air Station and quite often there will be someone in one of the local bars claiming to be a Navy Pilot who doesn’t know a thing about how to fly an aircraft, but figures that he has a better chance to “score” if he claims to be a pilot. Again, a case of stolen valor. It disgusts me.
I think this is rediculous and needs to be clarified. Claiming to be in the miltiary when you weren’t = stolen valor. Wearing full military uniform not on halloween= stolen valor. Wearing a shirt/ hat/ jacket/ patch with a friend or family member’s unit or logo- not stolen valor. We sold tens of thousands of hats with our ships logo on it to visitors and encouraged them wearing it. These were the exact hats we wore while in uniform. The money from hats, coffee mugs, patches was used for for some pretty sweet parties. I occasionnally see someone wearing a submarine hat with dolphins on it (dolphins are earned not given). I am in no way offended. I usuually strike up a conversation with them. Sometimes they were a submariner, sometimes they say their kid or nephew was in the navy and got it for them. Would i ask them to take it off? No way – i appreciate that they support our troops. If they claimed to be on a submarine, then after talking to them, and it’s clear they were not, yes i would be pissed. – but this has never happened.
Ever watch one of the most popular military movies of the 1980’s. Top Gun ? How many patches does Tom Cruise have on his leather flight jacket? There’s even a seabee patch on his jacket. If you are a vet, find something else to be mad about.
God call, Brother. SSBN 624 Gold Crew Missile Tech here…I appreciate every penny the civilians provided to arm sixteen tubes of Cold War deterrence…I am proud to see them honoring the ship by wearing our caps.
Right on, Mike k.
I’m a combat vet Vietnam 1968. When I first met a new neighbor he was wearing the same unit patch and ribbon that I’d earned, but he looked much too young to be a Vietnam vet so I said, “thanks for your service, when were you there?”
He said, “thank you, but not me, my dad. I lost him when I was five.”
The “sniper” patch shown violates the flag code (The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.) and should not be worn by ANYONE. The American flag is not abackground to be used to display your pet group or project. NOTHING about it should be modified (blue stripe) or covered (ranger image). Want a patch? Design your own. That flag belongs to the 350 million of us here and the hundreds of thousands who have bled and died to protect it thourghout her history.
U.S. flag code is not law dude come off it and stop being a control freak.
You have no moral authority to prevent anybody from making any image including the flag, even an image of a liberal using it as toilet paper.
1st amendment right to freedom of speech and expression, REAL Americanism, not authoritarian fascism.
You obviously don’t know enough about the flag code or you wouldn’t say such moronic things. You think you are protecting some warrior “code” but you won’t protect the code of the flag that you were born to Preserve and Protect. Get over yourself and worry about something more important that someone wearing patches. As long as they are not claiming to have been in that unit and thus stealing valor, don’t worry about it.
“Valor”is implied to all participants. “Acts of Valor” are seen/experienced and NO patch or medal can take from it. Your service is between you and your crew for when we fought, we fought for one another. “Country” did not enter my mind when high speed things began hitting the rocks around us. We lived for one another, most of us. A couple died for us too. Keep your patches, my memories and pictures is all I need. Patches…..gimme a break. Take the skirt off, fellas!
+1 Doc, couldn’t have said it better myself.
Harold. You’re mental.
The best one I saw in Iraq my coworker had mad. In a normal arced tab, he had “normal forces” sewn onto his ball cap.
My personal favorite is the black and gold “ANGER” tab…
Clay
You are spot on… I was a 27 Active Army officer with conventional forces. I had the opportunity in my specialty to work with many of these fine soldiers and leaders. Thank you for reminded all that only those that have earned (fought the fight) with those units deserve to wear them.
SK
WRONG. I wear my fathers unit logo with pride. he was in the 7th Cav Regiment, 1st Cav Division in Korea during the war. I was in the Coast Guard. Did I earn his unit crest-NO. But you want to try and take it from me you better pack a lunch skippy. Wearing a hat, or T-shirt or a patch on a civilian “Tacticool” jacket is NOT stolen valor-unless you also claim to have been in that unit (and gain something of monetary value in the ruse) why do I say that-because as an FBI agent I investigated and arrested several people for that crime over the years. One is not the same as the other!. I will continue to wear dad’s unit lapel pin in my button-hole and his unit crest T-shirt with great pride-in his service. That is called RESPECT-not stolen valor. get your facts straight.
I see the US flag displayed on Police and security companies incorrectly all the damned time and I drives me insane. They come into the range I work at (3Bs Indoor Shooting Range,…shameless plug I know) and many of them wear the wrong facing flag on the right shoulder. Most of us who work there are Vets and we just cringe. Although the number of posers that show up are rare, we just don’t understand why Police forces continue to get this wrong. They are informed occasionally, but I doubt their leadership will address the issue.
That is because it is NOT A MILITARY UNIFORM. Been in law enforcement for 36+ years. One state agency (25 as a fed and now in another uniformed agency (Fed). Guess what. the people who determine how the uniform will be laid out-what goes where and how it is worn are seldom if ever veterans and none I have ever dealt with even know there is an appropriate protocol. When this is pointed out-as it often is to these people, they simply say its not a military uniform and that the agencies policy supersedes any use of the military’s protocols-so don’t blame the guy wearing the uniform-HE DID NOT DESIGN IT!
You’re spot on Clay. Don’t wear patches, tabs or insignias you didn’t earn. Too easy.
Go take a nap Jarhead… If you are posing, understandable. If you are wearing them because you support our troops… go ahead and wear as many as you can fit on your hat, shirt, jacket or any other garment you wish. Semper Fi.
I love the look of some of the patches, but wouldn’t try to pass myself off as something I am not. I am not sure a patch does that, and if ever asked, I would be truthful, “No, I wasn’t in this unit, but I support everything they represent and think this is a bad@ss patch.” I personally get a huge grin from the “fun meter” patch. Surely, that one is o.k. to wear, unless your command structure has a hemorrhoid if they see it on your person.
Clay, first off, great article. I should have mentioned that sooner in my earlier responses. You make some great points.
Second, when my son was in Afghanistan (2012/2013) he was part of the 819th Sapper Squad. They were teamed up with Triple Nickel, aka 555 SFG. My son would never wear their patch. They would never wear the 819th’s.
Triple Nickel’s patch was approved personally by President Kennedy.
’nuff said.
not sure i’d give much to President Kennedy as he was hopped up on the drugs he took, cheated on his wife a great deal. to your son i’d like to say thank you for your service to our country without you and others like you we would not have what we have today. i’m not in the military but have worked on the airplanes for over 30 years to give them the best that we can for them to have when they need it. God Bless.
OK so tell us (non vets) where the line is between patriotic and posing. I like to display the various flags of our country, but would like to display other materials that shows my pride. If asked I always tell people I am not a vet. Just proud of our country.
Anyone who signs up and is willing to serve deserves our respect. It’s a crime to wear the uniform of a LEO. It’s a crime to act “under color of authority.” Wearing a patch that wasn’t earned, for a free cup of coffee, undeserved respect or 10% off your next meal is sad, disgusting and unfortunate.
For someone to pass themselves off as a member of the military, in any fashion, should entitle the poseur to three rounds, in the ring, with five members of their alleged unit, all at once. I’d make each round 10 minutes long.
It’s not a crime to wear a police uniform, it’s a crime to claim to be a police officer and act as one when you are not.
You can walk around all day long in clothing that says police, you just can’t say “I am a law enforcement officer”.
Think “Mall Cops”…
Great vid by Clay. Trouble is unless you lived it, it is almost impossible to explain.
I only wear the patches I have earned, be it 1/9 Cav or an Appleseed Rifleman.
Some will just never get it, see above.
Respect. You get, or you don’t. Funny how a patch, or unit insignia can mean so much. But it does. Old timers with their boat hats on at airports for example. I love it. But if you weren’t in spec ops, stick to the Zombie Killer patches. I’m partial to Live free or Die, but I’m from New Hampshire 😉
Stick to the zombie slayer patches?
What, unless you were special forces you must just be some nerd only likes guns because video games?
How about our professional shooter friends, should they only wear joke patches because “they’re not military”?
I think special forces people need to get off their high horse as if they’re the only people with combat training and experience.
You may be the best, but that doesn’t mean all others are just a joke.
How about people wear whatever patches they please because LIBERTY.
Be an American, not a fascist authoritarian trying to control peoples actions which cause you no harm.
PS–The patch syndrome. Yes, some people will pass themselves off as a special forces type just because they’re not mature yet, or feel small. If a simple patch makes a guy feel a little bigger, more power to him or her. I could not care less if some dude or lady wears my old unit’s patch. I’d be honored. But to lie about being in a certain unit–that’s bad. Could result in some demerits in the facial area. Around the nose maybe.
After high school some years back, I was interested in college but got into a fight with my old man at age 19 and the next day joined the U.S. Coast Guard to be an aviation survivalman (ASM) on board helos. This MOS changed to “rescue swimmer” after I rotated out. Boot camp in those days was on a small island in San Francisco Bay. A few years before I joined, Coast Guard recruits trained at Camp Pendleton WITH Grunts, as told to me by former Carlos Hathcock associate sniper, Major William Barker, ret’d USMC scout-sniper. He said the Grunts would make fun of the “Shallow Water Sailors” but sometimes a Coastie would be squad leader, and they did not like that at all. But Barker, who died suddenly from brain cancer last summer, said a lot of us Coasties were respected even though the Navy and Corps are military-killers, and we were always military-savers. I return that respect. We all have a job to do. As Clint Eastwood said in “The Outlaw Josie Wales”: “Buzzards gotta eat. Same as worms.” The only big error Eastwood ever made in movies was to portray that lying Chris Kyle, who said he kicked Jesse Ventura’s ass because Ventura dissed modern SEALs. Not only that, but the best combat sniper in U.S. military history was Gunny Hathcock, hands down.
Along with military unit logos, there are a lot of patches out there that are ultra-butch and would seem mall ninja-y on anyone who isn’t overseas with gun in hand. I have a few morale patches on my duty gear, but I always keep them hidden from view and, even if such a thing were my style, not a design that looks like I want to hurt someone.
I did a patch design of my own for an Internet group that I also used to design hat pins for. https://i.imgur.com/yEIf7px.jpg
I didn’t realize wearing a “nous defions” T-shirt ( I was on a team that adopted that as our motto/ team patch ) was ‘pissing’ somebody off. That t- shirt was bought on Yadkin over 30 years ago. Even then it wasn’t official and and didn’t tie directly to any steely- eyed killer team. I think some people make a living just being ‘pissed off’.
What the? This has got to be about the most stupid article ever posted on guns america. Say, if your patch is so special, and your stupid bullet on a string are so sacred, why you sell them on amazon for a doller? You should do what the hells angles did and trademark your little cool secret squirrel society patches. That or stop selling them. Now you can go on about your guys who know how to fight all you want. Those guys would meet the same fate as the hells angles who diddnt like posers using their mark. Most ex special ops types are not tactidouche, tattooed, manbun sporting losers who even ware a plate carrier to the range, let alone what stupid patch is stuck on it.
Government entities are not allowed to trademark things. As provided in this case law.
http://trademarkapply.com/can-government-entity-trademark-insignia/
The united states marine corps didn’t have any problems putting a trademark on our Eagle, Globe and Anchor!
I found this on the web:
http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/ousmcc/Units/Marine-Corps-Trademark-Licensing-Program/FAQ/
My son, who served in Afghanistan, has a morale patch (which I would never wear) that applies to what Chris cole (sic) has to say about patches: “Sorry, I just ran out of F****”
Agree 100%,
Calm down bro it’s all cool. Freedom of speech. Skip the parts you don’t like . Personally I never liked to advertise my stuff . Always though that was a advantage but reading about other people is all fun to me but it’s just words . Don’t mean nothing.
You can buy complete sets of colors for Hells Angels, Bandidos, Outlaws, and other one percenter mc clubs on eBay. Why you would, I can’t tell you, but you can.
Stolen Valor Patch? A lot of poseurs out there claiming to be members of former members of SOF. They must think that gets all the attention, especially from the ladies. I reckon it gets somebody’s attention considering a few stolen valor champions whose soul purpose is to effectively expose those who dishonor the few that did what others wouldn’t.
When I’m asked about what I did in military, I reply I was tanker. The other party relies, “Oh, you drove a fuel truck?” Yeah, right.
Army conventional warfare guys (Armor, Artillery, Infantry) get no respect.
I feel you on that one. I think Grunts should have their own holiday. They endure the most BS, do the hard job on the pointy end of the stick, and rarely get any props. They carry a lot of water when it comes to the killing, and all we ever get are SEAL movies.
I should add our Marine combat arms brothers too.
and even you forgot Combat Engineers.
I stand corrected.