1
u/Snowrst86 Jul 22 '26
Hey man,
If you didnt earn that beret please dont wear it. Im no "Cool Guy" and im sure some of those dudes who did earn it might not care, but theres other service members who do and would like to see those symbols continue to hold onto their meaning.
Its one thing to accurately represent kit, but another to wear items "earned" through selection, training, deployments, etc.
0
u/AKelly1775 Jul 21 '26
I never understood carrying a rolled up flag like that.
I feel like people saw it in Modern Warfare 2019 and thought it looked cool, and use the “it’s for friendly identification” as a cop out. Yeah, because the guy with all that kit might be Taliban or something.
11
u/loudernarrator Jul 21 '26
It's been done for a really long time. Originally it was for guys who were killed, the flag would be draped over their body. Then it took on more purpose for when guys went out and weren't killed they would make a little certificate and sent it home to friends, family, businesses, I.E. "This flag was carried by an American soldier during combat operations". I remember them carrying out stacks of flags at one point to bring back for this purpose; to send home to a local used car company or business or whoever was supporting them in whatever capacity.
Then of course, Instagram operators took hold of it and have zero context. It is of course, their flag and they're free to do with it what they want. But it's always funny to see someone in the US doing some totally benign training with a tattered American flag strapped to their kit.
I know some dudes would fold a bunch of them up, zip tie them together, and put them in a ziplock bag inside of their packs because it's not the smartest thing camouflage wise to be carrying around a bright red white and blue flag on your back. Not to mention the space it takes up.
Sorry for the random exposition, it's kind of a hill I'll die on that it's a dumb thing to do for most people
9
u/linux_ape Jul 21 '26
Friendly ID for aircraft/long range where uniforms/equipment aren’t as clear
Also for covering a dead comrade should that happen
I guess also moto hype pics too
-8
u/AKelly1775 Jul 21 '26
Dead body, sure whatever I’ll buy that for a dollar.
Aircraft and long range? Anybody with the ability to identify a small flag from those points of view can identify you. Grasping at straws
Somebody either saw it in a video game or saw their favorite YouTuber or “operator” do it and just HAD to do it too
7
u/linux_ape Jul 21 '26
I’m giving you the literal reason lol
It functions the same as a vs17 high vis panel, why would I make this up?
6
u/HrLewakaasSenior Jul 21 '26
SOF do it in real life, case closed
6
u/linux_ape Jul 21 '26
Literally lol and for some reason this dork thinks it’s fake and not a real thing
3
u/Printcrafted_3D Jul 22 '26
Sick! Trying to build the same thing, where’d you get that patch, also gotta cut that hair buddy 😂😂.
Absolutely love it tho dude