Selling US Flags

[hatentx]

So I had one of my soldeirs ask me a question that I wasnt for sure on the answer and maybe someone hear knows the answer.  It is a common practice to have US Flags flown in the Aircraft while deployed overseas.  It is nothing alot of times you just put it into the aircraft and the pilots dont even think twice about it.  One of my soldiers got the bright idea and figured that people would buy them.  While I cant think of anything being illigal about it off the top of my head would it fall into misaproprations of govenrment assets or something along those lines?  If we were using it for a fund raiser for the platoon or to raise money for a fallen service members family then I would understand but what if it is for personal profit?

[RiverAux]

If they were flags that you purchased yourself, I don't see it as any different than you selling some other personal property doodad you happened to have with you while overseas. 

However, when I've seen such things in the past they usually come with some sort of certificate from the unit that flew the flag and doing something like that would probably cross the line. 

[Short Field]

IMHO this seems to fall in the same category as items astronauts were carrying with them on space flights and then selling for a profit.  There was a Senate investigate on this and NASA issued letters of discipline to the offenders.  It also resulted in them never flying in space again. 

[lordmonar]

Flying them in the aircraft should be no problem.....SELLING them would be.  Using government property for personal gain would be a problem.

[Eclipse]

Even if its not illegal, its just not "right" - you'd be basically commercializing a war.

[Airrace]

Flying them in the aircraft should be no problem.....SELLING them would be.  Using government property for personal gain would be a problem.

I agree, not a good idea and also agianst the law.

[a2capt]

One here, one there - with the knowledge of it being brought back to a specific unit, or just hung onto by someone who was stationed with said deployed unit, aircraft, etc - but .. while they don't weigh much, a case of flags stuck in the corner really should be on someones manifest. A flag in a flight bag that you personally certify as having been with you might be a nice gesture to a particular cadet or such along side an earned achievement presentation perhaps, a little extra touch ..

But.. selling?

Doesn't sit well, doesn't sound right, doesn't feel right.

[Rotorhead]

Flying them in the aircraft should be no problem.....SELLING them would be.  Using government property for personal gain would be a problem.

I agree, not a good idea and also agianst the law.

Please cite which law you're referring to.

[BillB]

If Congress can sell flags flown over the Capitol, I see no difference. If the flags were NOT government property but were purchased by the flight crews, it's their property to do with as they wish. As long as a person was not profiting from the sale, but rather the unit or provided to worthwhile organizations, what's the problem?

[Short Field]

The OP is asking about an individual selling them for profit - not a unit or organization.

I was recently given a flag that was flown in Afghanistan.  It was a personal thing, not a commercial venture.  When you start selling them to make a profit, it really cheapens the whole concept.   

[Flying Pig]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

[Eclipse]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

Mostly just creepy...

[jimmydeanno]

[offtopic]
I went to a Christmas party at a friends house.  I was a little over dressed because nobody told me the party was outside/bonfire type. (Virginia, no snow)

So, my friends dad gave me some different clothes and gave me a pair of his boots to wear.  These boots were torn up and well worn.

I said, "Oh my, these look like they stormed Grenada..."

He replies, "They did."

Classic

[/offtopic]

[Short Field]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

If you sell 20 sets of boots on each sortie, I am sure someone would notice....

[lordmonar]

Flying them in the aircraft should be no problem.....SELLING them would be.  Using government property for personal gain would be a problem.

I agree, not a good idea and also agianst the law.

Standard Ethics.  We will not use our government postions for personal gain.

As for congress selling flags....that is the government using government resources to raise money for the government.

It would be possible for the government to fly and sell these flags...but the OP was talking about a private organisation (squadron booster club) of using government aircraft to fly these flags and selling them.

Please cite which law you're referring to.

[lordmonar]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

Sure that is legal...because you wore those boots as part of your military duties.  If on the other hand you wore a different par of boots every flight and sold them it may cross the the line.  If you flew an extra pair of boot for the sole purpose of selling them...then you have definatly crossed the line.

[Eclipse]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

Sure that is legal...because you wore those boots as part of your military duties.  If on the other hand you wore a different par of boots every flight and sold them it may cross the the line.  If you flew an extra pair of boot for the sole purpose of selling them...then you have definatly crossed the line.

If they were military issue aren't you supposed to return them?

[lordmonar]

So if I fly on a military aircraft, and then sell my boots claiming they actually flew on a military aircraft, that would be illegal?

Sure that is legal...because you wore those boots as part of your military duties.  If on the other hand you wore a different par of boots every flight and sold them it may cross the the line.  If you flew an extra pair of boot for the sole purpose of selling them...then you have definatly crossed the line.

If they were military issue aren't you supposed to return them?

NOPE....

[hatentx]

While with boots I see an issue being that is part of my uniform and who cares if I sell them as long as I am in regulation when doing so then who cares.  My OP was talking about US flags though which is not anything worn on a uniform.  I agree I think it is a sticky situation that I wasnt sure on.  As it is done now it is is thrown in a flight bag or a storage compartment, mind you these are Apaches I am talking about no need for a manifest as it isnt a cargo aircraft and all items are conisdered mission equipment or BII.  I agree it seems shady but I dont see a law or Article under UCMJ that would prevent this from happening.  I have had a collector ask to buy my old uniforms from when I was deployed for a histroy exibit.  I see nothing wrong with this.  The fact is with it using military equipment to gain this personal profit.

[lordmonar]

Here it is.
http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/ethics_regulation/

DOD 5500.7-R Joint Ethics Regulations

b. Other Federal Government Resourcs.  Other than the us of federal Government communcations Systems authorized in accordance with subsection 2-301.a. of this Regulations, above; the use of Fedreal Government resources as logistical support to non-Federal entity events in accordance with subsection 3-211 of this Regulatin, below; and the use of Federal government time authorized in accordance with subseciton 3-300 of this Regulation, below; Federal Government resources, including personnel, equipment, and property, shal be used by DoD eployees for offical purposes only, except as follows: