Posted on 04/04/2014 12:44:55 PM PDT by thetallguy24
In October of 2013, Hardhatters received an email from a trusted source within the Navy claiming the Navy SEALs were ordering personnel to remove the traditional “Don’t Tread On Me” patch, also known as the First U.S. Navy Jack, which is often used by conservative/Tea Party groups. The source had received the order by email which states the following:
ALL:Since our policy is to ensure the most accurate reporting possible, we immediately filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to validate the above email before writing on the matter. We specifically asked for “all orders issued in 2013 pertaining to changes/updates in uniform policies”, including orders related to NWU III and the First U.S. Navy Jack sleeve patch.WARCOM and GROUP TWO/ONE have pushed out the uniform policy for NWU III and any patches worn on the sleeve.
All personnel are only authorized to wear the matching “AOR” American Flag patch on the right shoulder. You are no longer authorized to wear the “Don’t Tread On Me” patch.
Again the only patch authorized for wear is the American flag on the right shoulder. Please pass the word to all
Thanks
Senior Enlisted Advisor
[Name Redacted]
As you can imagine the Federal government, including the Navy, is a complex beast of bureaucracy, but we finally managed to reach the correct department for submitting our request, Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM). This bureaucratic nightmare took 5 months to respond to our request, as we have just received it today.
The first document included was a very recent (March 15, 2014) update of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Uniform Standards, which now specifically permits the “1st Union Jack of the Navy” to be worn. However, the second document we received stated the official email that de-authorized the use of the Navy Jack patch was “being withheld in its entirety”. While we will certainly push for an appeal of this decision, the decision itself shows clear evidence that the email exists, and the Navy fears self-incrimination.
Fortunately, the “Don’t Tread On Me” patch is still permitted for use among our brave service men and women in the special forces; however, someone in the upper echelons of the Navy did attempt to ban it before media outlets uncovered it. Who it was that made the order and why remains to be discovered, but it is all the more important to keep a watchful eye on our armed forces against long-held, unifying traditions are not torn down by political agendas.
I guess this confirms that they did at least "try" to ban it.
I hope I never have to file a FOIA for anything. 5 months is a ridiculous wait time.
I’m betting the order came from some civilian in Dept. of the Navy, or some captain on the list for admiral, looking to curry favor. Either way, they are disgraceful.
There’s a 1st navy Jack flying on the 2nd flag pole at my house right now.
It’s at half-staff in honor of the passing of Admiral Jeremiah Denton, but it isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
...Navy...
Sorry about that.
My O My how times have changed
In 2002 the US Navy was directed to fly the Navy Jack for the duration of the War on terror
“First Navy Jack in the War on Terrorism
The following is the U.S. Navy flag news announcement that all ships will display the rattlesnake flag during the War on Terrorism. It is a reprint of the official directive from the Department of the Navy, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC.
SECNAVINST 10520.6
N09B1
31 May 2002
SECNAV INSTRUCTION 10520.6
From: Secretary of the Navy
To: All Ships and Stations (less Marine Corps field
addressees not having Navy personnel attached)
Subj: DISPLAY OF THE FIRST NAVY JACK DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
Ref: (a) U. S. Navy Regulations, 1990
1. Purpose. To provide for the display of the first navy Jack on board all U. S. Navy ships during the Global War on Terrorism.
2. Discussion. As the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River during the fall of 1775, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet signals. His signal for the “whole Fleet to Engage” the enemy provided for the “strip’d Jack and Ensign at their proper places.” Thus, from the very beginning of our Navy, the Jack has been used on board American warships. The first navy Jack was a flag consisting of 13 horizontal alternating red and white stripes bearing diagonally across them a rattlesnake in a moving position with the motto “Don’t Tread On Me.” The temporary substitution of this Jack represents an historic reminder of the nation’s and Navy’s origin and will to persevere and triumph.
2. Action. The first navy jack will be displayed on board all U. S. Navy ships in lieu of the Union Jack, in accordance with sections 1259 and 1264 of reference (a). The display of the first Navy Jack is an authorized exception to section 1258 of reference (a). Ships and craft of the Navy authorized to fly the first Navy Jack will receive an issue of four flags per ship through a special distribution.
Gordon R. England
http://www.navyjack.info/history.html
For later...
Most likely a gay Rear Admiral.....
I bet the order came from the head mulatto in charge.
Rear admiral, lower half
Excuse my ignorance, but why would SEALS be ordering people to do this? Don’t they have better things to do? Are they military enforcers? Seems to me, they should be among the first to tell some chairborne idiot to shove it.
My $0.02.
= Commodedoor?
Ha ha, good one.
I'd like to note that everything came out all right...
Ha ha ha you are funny! Did it mention it’s 0bama’s favorite military rank?
There are SEALS at SOCOM wearing the patch today, so.......ADM McRaven apparently doesn’t support the guidance.....
RLTW
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