US Military Uniform Question

[Sand Man]

Well, might be a dumb question but here goes...

It's been said time and time again on here that SF personnel are given much leeway an can "use anything they want" in terms of weapons, gear, equipment and uniforms. I'm gonna go as far as to say that this rule helps them adapt, which is why we see NSW wearing ACUs or CCTs wearing BDUs. (Sorry if my assumptions are incorrect on this one.)

My question is: how far does this leeway go? I mean, I've seen pics in here of Brit SFs wearing ACUs but I have yet to see photos US SFG or NSW wear DPM or any other country's uniforms (This is not to imply that I've seen all pics of these guys).

So, IF the US SOF are allowed to wear other country's uniforms, will they be limited to allies only or can they wear non-ally uniforms, too? Frankly, I can't picture SFG or NSW wearing Iranian military uniforms right off the staging area on most missions. :(

It's been a question that's been on my mind for the longest time. Thank you for your patience.


P.S. -- If this somehow involves OpSec, then please delete.

[vulpine]

In the SEAL thread there was a SEAL wearing Iraqi SF camo, I also seen a picture of a SF guy wearing chocolate chip, obviously to blend in with the Iraqis he was advising.

[LaoSexMachine]

I wear blue jeans to fit in with the civvy population.

[Mordecai]

SOF has a bit of leeway with many things uniform selection being one of them at times. That said we dont just do what the heck we darned well please and often times it requires the approval of others further up the CoC.

What is chosen (patterns/colors/civilian or mil) depends on the mission, whats available and who else will be taking part in the mission...

I think thats about all that needs to be said about that.

As for the chocolate chip camo, in the late 80's- early 90's CC was the desert camo for the US and there are still quite a few guys who have them laying around.

[Sand Man]

Thanks, Crip.

[SpartanWarrior198]

So then that mean an Army SF trooper would have the leeway to use jungle MARPAT (however blasphemous that might sound) if the environment warranted it?

[Mordecai]

So then that mean an Army SF trooper would have the leeway to use jungle MARPAT (however blasphemous that might sound) if the environment warranted it?

We could but why would we wear Woodland MARPAT when we can wear woodland BDU's, which we have plenty of? p-)

[jodoe]

CCTs wearing BDUs.

BDUs are still an accepted uniform in the USAF until 2011 when the ABU takes over.

[KEEPER0311]

We could but why would we wear Woodland MARPAT when we can wear woodland BDU's, which we have plenty of? p-)

Stay away from my Marpat p-)

[Greenbird]

I'm curious, why was my post about the disputed legality of it deleted?

[DeltaWhisky58]

Well, might be a dumb question but here goes...

As usual, you answered your own question. :bash:

[Sand Man]

As usual, you answered your own question. :bash:

Ola, Gran Pappy! p-)

Being the usual you, I see...

[DeltaWhisky58]

I'm always grumpy when I deal with asshats, you ought to know that by now.

[jjparatroop82]

This site is a source of great information.

[BlackhawkCY]

Well, might be a dumb question but here goes...

It's been said time and time again on here that SF personnel are given much leeway an can "use anything they want" in terms of weapons, gear, equipment and uniforms. I'm gonna go as far as to say that this rule helps them adapt, which is why we see NSW wearing ACUs or CCTs wearing BDUs. (Sorry if my assumptions are incorrect on this one.)

My question is: how far does this leeway go? I mean, I've seen pics in here of Brit SFs wearing ACUs but I have yet to see photos US SFG or NSW wear DPM or any other country's uniforms (This is not to imply that I've seen all pics of these guys).

So, IF the US SOF are allowed to wear other country's uniforms, will they be limited to allies only or can they wear non-ally uniforms, too? Frankly, I can't picture SFG or NSW wearing Iranian military uniforms right off the staging area on most missions. :(

It's been a question that's been on my mind for the longest time. Thank you for your patience.


P.S. -- If this somehow involves OpSec, then please delete.

When people within this site say about SF they tend to forget to state that SF are also divided into groups. The "lowest level" as in airborne Special forces do get some leeway in boots, uniform customization and weapons. Higher level SF groups (i.e that operate in smaller groups) have more leeway to wear what they wish (ie Delta/Black Ops/ Clandestine Operations) . The leeway is not the way you might think. The proper chain of command is involved. The soldier does not decide to wear what he wants without authorization. As for what uniforms they will wear depends on the mission. Uniforms allowed to be used are not of allied nations only. If an inflitration task is at hand SF might even go in with civilian clothes or dressed with Iranian uniforms. Remember SF sent to those areas do tend to know the local language thus are able to pass as locals.

But no they do not use what they want. Photos of a US SF person holding an AK does appear to have an effect on ppl thinking that they can use what they want but the picture might be out of context. (ie the soldier might be training local police to aim better with the use of weapons they are already familiar with) Remember that the high level SF ( ie BlackOps) are rarely seen operating during the day.

Also during training scenarios within the US SF soldiers might use their old set of uniforms so they do not tear the new ones (ACU) since it would be pointless to keep them now that they are "not allowed".

[Greenbird]

If an inflitration task is at hand SF might even go in with civilian clothes or dressed with Iranian uniforms. Remember SF sent to those areas do tend to know the local language thus are able to pass as locals.
.

Dressing up as a civilian is illegal under international law if it involves a "betrayal of trust"(theres a fancy name for it that escapes me), i.e. posing as a civilian when gaining information from an NGO.

[BlackhawkCY]

That is assuming they care. The goverment has a neither confirm or deny policy on those units.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=65924&stc=1&d=1233443007

[Sand Man]

I'm always grumpy when I deal with asshats, you ought to know that by now.

I see. Do you earn points everytime you derail a thread?

[Beowulf]

I see. Do you earn points everytime you derail a thread?

quit being a smartass.

You shouldn't be surprised that people respond the way they do to your posts/questions.

[Beowulf]

Let me also say that posters should not be speculating or stating as fact things they aren't qualified to post about.

[vulpine]

Dressing up as a civilian is illegal under international law if it involves a "betrayal of trust"(theres a fancy name for it that escapes me), i.e. posing as a civilian when gaining information from an NGO.

Funny, in my MOS, I may pose as a civilian in order to collect, in fact I get a clothing allowance to purchase the clothes. Although I can not pose as an NGO.

[Greenbird]

Funny, in my MOS, I may pose as a civilian in order to collect, in fact I get a clothing allowance to purchase the clothes. Although I can not pose as an NGO.
Well what you are doing may be against the Geneva conventions, though the definition of what a "betrayal of trust" is, is extremely muddy.