Wear of U.S. Badges on Flecktarn Uniform

[Guardian 5]

Gents,


One of our fellow collectors is setting up a Flecktarn battle dress top with U.S. and BW badges.

I am starting off this reference thread with samples from my collection.

You are all welcome to join in.

First up is a photo of a BW Fallschrimjaeger I met in Afghanistan almost ten years ago. Note the placement of the U.S. expert infantry badge above the name tag over the left pocket and the French commando school badge on the right pocket

Many thanks,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

This BDU jacket is badged up for a BW soldier serving a tour in Bosnia as part of the Stabilization Force (SFOR).

Note the placement of the U.S. marksmanship badge on the right pocket.

[Guardian 5]

On this example we see a foreign jump wing (Dutch?) on the pocket flap with BW wings above and another U.S. marksmanship badge on the pocket.

[Guardian 5]

Whoopsie, forgot the photo...

[RedCatcher1986]

Perhaps one of our Bundeswehr members has the actual official regulations regarding the wear of foreign service decorations on the Bundeswehr uniform. Interesting thread topic TJ, I look forward to the follow up on this thread

[Guardian 5]

Regarding the placement of the foreign jumps wings, I think they always go on the pocket flap correct?

Thanks,
TJ

[sammlermws]

Guardian 5 Thanks for starting this post!!

After digging through my photos a bit I found this from when I was stationed in Germany and participated in "Luchskralle 2000" with the Fallschirmsportgruppe 273. This jolly NCO is wearing the German Fallschirmspringerabzeichen, US basic parachutist on pocket flap, French parachutist badge on right pocket and BW Leistungsabzeichen on left pocket.
(I'm the young PFC on the right)

[RedCatcher1986]

It is interesting that the German military allows its personnel to wear multiple foreign jump wings on their uniforms in comparison to most western militaries that only allow the wear of one foreign jump wing at any given time on their uniforms.

[Collectinsteve]

I had the same thought about the quantity. I guess the Germans like their uniform bling unrestricted

TJ, that is Dutch jump wings as you suspected. Thanks for sharing the pics! I've got quite a few unissued US badges on Flecktarn and have thought about putting one or two on a shirt for fun.

Steve

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

As far as I know, the regulations for wearing badges on Flechtarn are the same as those shown in ZDv 37/10 for the service dress tunic as pictured below. However, what was actually done, or tolerated in different units, might vary from the regulations.

Regards,

Gordon

[sammlermws]

Excellent diagram Gordon. I understand one may wear 2 badges above the right pocket and 2 on the pocket. 1 each may be a foreign badge. In other words, no more than 2 foreign awards total.

[Gordon Craig]

sammlermws,

That is correct. Although it is standard practice to wear foreign para wings below the BW ones so they often end up on the flap of the upper pocket.
The regulations for Flechtarn are a bit different than the service dress in that the unit badge is not supposed to be done in cloth and worn on the right upper pocket although I have seen it done.

Regards,

Gordon

[SirHarry1]

Hello gents,
As far as I know the regulation one foreign para badge can be worn on the Flecktarn but only if you actually possess the German BW para badge.
Some guys, especially reservists, take a weekend course in the Czech Republic or some other place and then wear the badge on the Flecktarn but that is not allowed. I wear the US Army Rifle Expert badge on my Flecktarn, see pic.
Harry

[sammlermws]

Harry,
Are all of your badges attached with velcro (hook/pile tape fastener)? If so, is the part sewn to the uniform done by hand or machine?

[SirHarry1]

Yep, all badges have the velcro attachment. For the name tape and the sleeve patch it is machine sewn by the maker, every blouse is the same now.
The other two are handsewn.
Harry