[saquin]

This is not really on-topic but after seeing this picture I just have to say I really hate this whole backwards-American-flag-patch thing. I understand the reasoning for facing the flag backwards when it's on the right shoulder (though I still don't really like it and think it looks silly. A soldier is not always moving briskly forward anyway, making the backwards flag make sense in the convoluted "that's the way it would be blowing if it was a real flag" kinda way. Sometimes he's just standing still. And when I see pictures of Iraqi kids looking at that backwards flag on a soldier's shoulder it just rubs me the wrong way. Is a whole generation in another country going to think that's what our flag looks like?) and it's things like this that bring home why. Once you manufacture all those backwards flags they'll be backwards wherever they're placed, even when velcroed on the front of the vest as this one is.

I guess I just don't like seeing a backwards flag. It just strikes me wrong. Our flag is so beautiful as it is.

[saquin getting off soapbox]

(One more thing... aren't snipers supposed to be kept kinda anonymous?)

[Farmer Dean]

Is that an M4 with suppressor he is holding? He must do some in close work,night infiltration type engagements.Pretty scary job,hope they stay safe.

[ThreePuttinDude]

Does this guy resemble Supreme Court Justice John Roberts to anyone else?

[Uncle Jaque]

Re your #29 - "..., even when velcroed on the front of the vest as this one is."

This strikes me as being a bit odd; that flag patch makes a dandy aiming point for an enemy sniper - almost daring one to take a crack at it.

I don't think I'd do that - at least I'd use a subdued one.

Maybe he just sticks it on for dress up occasions or to get his picture took.

When he's at the office I assume they ditch all that stuff and put on the cammie war paint.
It's important that they see the bad guy before he sees them, obviously.

We've heard that Al Qida (or whoever) has hired a few crack Chechnian Snipers who are really quite proficient with their Dragunov 7.62 X 54Rmm rifles - and that old 1891 vintage round is quite as capable as our 7.62 X 51MM NATO when it comes to dealing death at a distance.

Although they bear a resemblance, the Dragunov (or one of its many derivatives) is NOT an AK-47, nor does it use the same round. The X54R is significantly more powerful than the 7.62 X 39mm used in the Kalisnakov.

If one of those Chechnian boys is tasked to take out some of our best snipers, as well they may be, then I hope our guys keep their heads down and watch their six.

And that we keep 'em in our prayers back here at home.