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From: maxzilla.UUCP!waltm@bu.edu (Walt Mattison)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Infantryman's Field Kit
Message-ID: <1991May1.030411.20134@amd.com>
Date: 30 Apr 91 19:09:37 GMT
References: <1991Apr22.071734.24926@amd.com> <1991Apr23.053758.23784@amd.com> <1991Apr24.054658.19035@amd.com> <1991Apr29.051409.5083@amd.com>
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From: maxzilla.UUCP!waltm@bu.edu (Walt Mattison)


bxr307@csc1.anu.edu.au writes:
>Speaking of snipers and so on, here in Oz if you are what is
>considered  "tactical" (ie psuedo-operational) you would not salute
>officers, as it would again mark them for snipers.  At the same time in
>many infantry units to prevent people being identified from a distance
>as being officers/NCO's badges of rank are removed.  I was wondering if
>similar precautions are normally taken by the US Army?

 Well, since the current issued rank is subdued for use on the BDUs
I don't think it is as critical as it was back in the South East Asian
War Games. ( wayyyyy bbaaaacccckkk when stripes were sewn on the sleeves,
and uniforms were OD green, not woodland camo..) You did forget one of
the best ways to tell who was in charge from a distance.....the clown
holding the handset of the radio was typically someone you wanted to hit as
a sniper....and to answer your question...when in the field, ie. tactical
you are not required to salute in the US military, as a matter of fact
20 years ago you could get punched out for saluting in RVN...8^), gee
has it been that long? 

walt