Why we should keep the flag patch...

[Eclipse]

This last weekend I was GBD'ing for a SAREx.

I had the opportunity to be the last person at our bivouac site as I took down my camper and packed up.

A woman came jogging down a path near my vehicle and asked

"Are you Army?"

"No Ma'am - Air Force Auxiliary.  We were just doing some training here this weekend."

"Oh, well, thank you for your service.  At first I thought you were a hunter, but then I saw the
flag and knew you were OK.  Have a nice day...".

[lordmonar]

I don't understand....is this an example of why we should loose it or why we should keep it?

[IceNine]

How could there possibly be confusion

" I saw the flag and knew you were ok"

[mikeylikey]

At first I thought you were a hunter, but then I saw the
flag and knew you were OK.  Have a nice day...".

So being a hunter is not OK?  (from this ladies perspective??)  Weird.  

[SStradley]

This last weekend I was GBD'ing for a SAREx.

I had the opportunity to be the last person at our bivouac site as I took down my camper and packed up.

A woman came jogging down a path near my vehicle and asked

"Are you Army?"

"No Ma'am - Air Force Auxiliary.  We were just doing some training here this weekend."

"Oh, well, thank you for your service.  At first I thought you were a hunter, but then I saw the
flag and knew you were OK.  Have a nice day...".

Great story.  I have no problem with the American Flag on my uniform.  I wonder why the USAF does not?

[JayT]

Because theres no need for it.

[Cobra1597]

The grade insignia, the tapes, the wing patch (if you wear it), none of that is going to distinguish us from hunters 

The fact that you were asked if you were army is part of the problem. ARMY wears the reverse flag, not AIR FORCE, and last I checked we weren't the Army auxiliary.

[Major Carrales]

Not this same thread again!!!    How many time must we read this!!!

C'mon people, nothing to see here.

[Eclipse]

We will be the "Army" to uninformed members of the general public as long as we are wearing military-style uniforms.  It won't matter if they are woodland or digi-pat.

The average person does not equate the army/USAF, etc., difference, or even care.

They see the US Flag and understand that the person standing in front of them supports the same ideals and ideas they do...

The flags should stay.

[stillamarine]

Heck how many people know that the Army wears the flag and not the Air Force.......in many places other services have worn them, including myself as a Marine. Oh no does that make me an Army doggie?

I have come to a conclusion, if there is not at least 1 thread on this board with something to argue about uniform items then this board stagnates. Carry on.

[pixelwonk]

*sidebar*
Folks, please don't PM the mods to shut down threads because you simply don't like them.

Choose to ignore.  mmmkay?

[Eclipse]

*sidebar*
Folks, please don't PM the mods to shut down threads because you simply don't like them.

Choose to ignore.  mmmkay?

Nice -

The point here was a positive story about one reason the flag should stay, and I thought it better
to start a new thread then clutter the uniform committee one.

[star1151]

They see the US Flag and understand that the person standing in front of them supports the same ideals and ideas they do...

You're giving too much credit to the general public. 

[Cobra1597]

We will be the "Army" to uninformed members of the general public as long as we are wearing military-style uniforms.  It won't matter if they are woodland or digi-pat.

The average person does not equate the army/USAF, etc., difference, or even care.

They see the US Flag and understand that the person standing in front of them supports the same ideals and ideas they do...

The flags should stay.

By your own statement, they see us as "army" because of the military style uniform. What, are only those in the military that wear the reverse flag "sharing the same ideals"? I refuse to believe that the general public sees an Air Force officer they thinks they are a southern rebel, or a terrorist, or something.

[JayT]

*sidebar*
Folks, please don't PM the mods to shut down threads because you simply don't like them.

Choose to ignore.  mmmkay?

Isn't that the mods job?

Or are you guys starting to choose to listern  

[CASH172]

The general public is certainly not gonna be able to distinguish between the different branches by looking at the BDUs.  Most people will see the BDUs and see army, some will see a flight suit and see air force.  It's just how it goes these days.

[JCW0312]

Because theres no need for it.

Sure there is.. It distinguishes us from the hunters! 

[JCW0312]

We will be the "Army" to uninformed members of the general public as long as we are wearing military-style uniforms.  It won't matter if they are woodland or digi-pat.

The average person does not equate the army/USAF, etc., difference, or even care.

They see the US Flag and understand that the person standing in front of them supports the same ideals and ideas they do...

The flags should stay.

I think you're right. My wife and I were out the other day and saw a Navy officer in the tan uniform and she referred to him as "the Army guy".  My wife doesn't know the difference, nor does she seem to care. Of course, she didn't confuse him with a hunter, but then again, he wasn't in BDUs.... 

[Monty]

I refuse to believe that the general public sees an Air Force officer they thinks they are a southern rebel, or a terrorist, or something.

Well now, ain't that a peach of a "tie-together."  Can't say as I've ever seen the two in the same sentence.

I'm glad you refuse to believe that the general public might see an Air Force officer and think they see my Great Great Great Grandfather or an airplane "blower upper" or something.

[jimmydeanno]

At first I thought you were a hunter, but then I saw the
flag and knew you were OK.  Have a nice day...".

So being a hunter is not OK?  (from this ladies perspective??)  Weird.  

She must be from San Fran...