What do you think about military decals in the wake of the current ISIS threat

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:56:43 -0400

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Oct 24 at 2014 12:22 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:22:25 -0400

My thoughts on military decals in the wake of the current ISIS threat (and the general operating environment:
- AT Level 1 training. Practice OPSEC at all times including how you dress and what you place onto your POV. This is regardless of if a Soldier lives CONUS or OCONUS or if they are in combat or not.
- A Soldier can, but does not need to, put a decal on their POV to show their pride in their rank, unit, branch, service, or whatever.
- Every Soldier should be vigilent at all times but not necessarily fearful or aggressive.
- ISIS is not the only potential threat against CONUS based Soldiers. Other potential threats include lone wolfs, criminals, road rage idiots, bad weather, etc. Some of these threats can be influenced by military decals while others are not.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 12:28 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:28:17 -0400

I think that I was not afraid to put my life on the line when I signed the dotted line and I am not afraid to announce that I am a veteran who is still willing to put my life on the line. Bring em on...

Response by SGT Scott Curtice made Oct 24 at 2014 1:00 PM

SGT Scott Curtice — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:00:16 -0400

why is the ISIS threat any better or worse than any other terrorist organization to date? I mean Alqaeda or a derivative of it attacked NYC twice (1993/2011), 3k plus dead, my point being I don't think the threat is any different, more of the same.
My only thought about a military decal/bumper sticker at all would be in regards to any risk to others, than myself, that may drive that vehicle, or drive in that vehicle with me.
So I'd way the threat for others, not worried about myself :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 1:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:02:44 -0400

I have never been a fan of someone having their 2-1 file or now ERB on the back of their POV. Now... all you are doing is the homework for ISIS or other threat actors.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 24 at 2014 1:33 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:33:03 -0400

While I certainly do not think we should live our lives in fear of some nut cases out there, there is still wisdom in the old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

For years, the military has recommended against military personnel overseas blatantly "showcasing" the fact that they are Americans and, unfortunately, as things get more dangerous in CONUS and overseas, it may be wise to follow that advice concerning military decals, shirts, etc. at home.

Having said that, I do not plan to remove my US Army or Ranger decals from my car, at least not at the present time and until I determine a clear and present danger to do so. Of course, if that time comes, I will have more than enough firepower on me to at least fight back.

Where I live, the "Alabama Crimson Tide" decal on my car is more provocative at the moment than my Ranger tab decal. :-) :-)

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 6:29 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:29:41 -0400

Obviously anything you do that displays what you are can make you potential target. Other considerations that you should think about is the Human Intelligence threat. It's real and this adversary I think is much more mature than its predecessors. A bumper sticker could lead to potential observance and simple info gathering techniques. Patterns of behavior might be monitored. Simple discussions in a coffee shop or bar can be monitored for intel value. Now a days you never know who the threat is. Not all ISIS sympathizers are olive skinned Arabs. Never know when the guy that looks harmless could be trying to gather info to relay to the ISIS leaders. Dissenters, know our techniques and can be a source of information to determine patterns of behavior that can be used against us.

Big picture its probably a good idea not to highlight yourself in any fashion as this can be just as deadly to our forces as a lone shooter attack, IMO.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 6:43 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:43:25 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - I think it might be dangerous to have them on our cars. Sad that it has to be like this. Woo Pig Sooie. Arkansas fan here from NY. lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 6:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:58:01 -0400

Might bother some feelings here but I don't think any amount of threat or otherwise could make it more stupid than it already is to cover your car in all of that crap. For what it's worth I think stick figure families and political stickers are stupid too. For those of you with a single veteran decal, I'm definitely not talking about you. Those who have their entire ERB, all of their political views, a half dozen of those ribbons or the god awful UCP camo crap that is on the picture above...that is just terrible. It's worthy of a laugh every time though. Oh and in the spirit of this discussion, I suppose I hope ISIS doesn't get you.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 24 at 2014 7:38 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 19:38:25 -0400

I had a FOP (fraternal order of police) decal on a car until someone put a brick through the rear window. That ended that.

For me, having a simple decal, or a Military License plate does not hamper OPSEC by any stretch.

Now, if my military license plate identified me as for example 001, that might indicate that I was the HMFIC, and could indicate someone worth following. Me and my little beater, not so much.

I do concede that having a military tag on my car could single me out as a target for a lone wolf terrorist, but I will take that risk, as I think it is a small risk, and my pride of service outweighs that risk.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 9:20 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 21:20:25 -0400

I actually was told to remove the stickers at work, or should I say... "highly encouraged". These guys are assholes, but in the wake of everything thats happening, I'd rather be safe than sorry. They do seem to be targeting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 3:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 03:32:42 -0400

If someone wasn't afraid to get deployed risking to die everyday then putting stickers on your car doesn't make a difference to a lot of people. I still will rock my Veteran hat and WWP sweater. I will not let the enemy change how I live or make me live in fear.

I could die any day by anyone. ISIS is just another threat to me as each and every person I see out in the public. Just always keep a guard up.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 7:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:03:25 -0400

Hate to admit it, but I took the "Army wife" sticker off my wife's truck. I still have stickers on mine, but I didn't want to risk some wack-job seeing the sticker and deciding to go after her, especially if my 2 yr old son was in the car a the time. I don't fear ISIS, I fear crazy people having a reason to target people I care about.

Response by SSG Adrian Ducker made Oct 25 at 2014 7:57 AM

SSG Adrian Ducker — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:57:02 -0400

I don't need to put a bunch of stickers on my car to show pride in my profession. I still have a US Army license plate frame on my car but that was less about Army pride and more about showing the locals in the town I recruited in that Soldiers can afford nice cars since Fort Bragg was over an hour away and stereotypes made the locals think we were making fast food wages.

I would rather be safe than sorry when traveling. I'm not just worried about domestic ISIS members trying to shoot me. I'm also worried about some anti-military college kid keying my car while I'm in the bathroom, which means I'm losing my deductible paying for it. I know that my car can be damaged in various different ways but I might as well make it less likely.

But at the same time, there are some contradictions about safety and OPSEC. On one hand, you may be ordered to wear reflective belts during PT when the roads are closed to vehicle traffic and advised not to stick out as a servicemember when in civilian clothes. On the other hand, I have been in two divisions (including one in Korea) that require Soldiers to shave on weekends and on leave. Also, we are required to wear ID tags at all times overseas.

Not too many civilians outside of police officers walk around clean shaven with crew cuts. Some college kids may have crew cuts but many of them usually have beards as well. No explanation is needed for ID tags overseas, especially with the chain being visible in most shirts with low collars.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 27 at 2014 12:52 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 12:52:39 -0400

Never was a fan of moto-stickers anyway. As to a threat: always been a fan of "speak softly and carry a big stick."

Response by Cpl Joshua Wehrman made Oct 28 at 2014 9:28 AM

Cpl Joshua Wehrman — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:28:00 -0400

This will never come off whatever I drive!! My best friend died while we were in afghan together and his mom had these made for us

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 28 at 2014 12:41 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:41:36 -0400

LOOKS LIKE MY TRUCK...................

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 16 at 2014 10:55 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 10:55:40 -0500

Remember, my truck is also a weapon. If ISIS feels froggy or any other nut who hates Americans, they will feel my wrath when I step on the gas while they point their guns at me...