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From: geoffb@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Thumper)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Military Insignia question
Message-ID: <1991Mar6.042102.25092@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 6 Mar 91 04:21:02 GMT
References: <1991Mar4.212349.9497@cbnews.att.com>
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From: geoffb@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Thumper)
dennett@Kodak.COM (Charlie Dennett) writes:
>After watching General Swartzkopf the other day, I noticed what
>appeared to be a short leather strap hanging from his right shirt
>pocket.  On this there were four items, all black.  There were two
>stars.  I couldn't make out the other two items.  I've seen the same
>leather strap on a few other officers.  What is this and what is the
>significance of the items that are attached to the strap.

I was wondering about this myself and was given to understand that it was
the Saudi Arabian rank equivalent to that of the Coalition wearer.
Source: A vague reference in a letter from someone over there and a brief
comment on the news in September (NBC or CNN, I forget).
I admit, this isn't proof positive... But it makes sense.  I have been
trying to compare the stuff that Schwartzkopf's aides wear to the stuff worn
by the Saudi officers, but there is so little footage these days! (Huzzah!)

If I'm wrong... tell me.

-Geoff