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VCDL patch in an unusual location
A Der Spiegel Online image of two rescuers evacuating an injured Haitian. It sure looks like the seal of Virginia Citizens' Defense League, a blue minuteman image against a white background surrounded by a red circle, and in the circle white letters forming four words.
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VERY cool!
I have never served in the military, so I do not know. Is an active duty member allowed to wear a patch of a civilian political organization on their uniform?
It would be unusual if they were allowed to wear a non-issue patch in a public manner.
Non-Coms don't necessarily have to see it. Officers usually can't find their own asses. The ones that can, learn from their non-coms.
The flight suit is considered "organizational clothing". It is still an official uniform subject to the uniform regulations, but there is some latitude given because it's not worn in public but only under certain specified conditions...i.e. when actually in flight status.
The only patches that are specified by Navy uniform regulations are the breast patches (left breast is nametag, right breast is command logo). The shoulder patches are optional.
The left shoulder patch is pretty traditionally the US Flag patch, the right shoulder patch is where you'll see personal statements. Technically, by the uniform regs, the patch should be flight related (aircraft type, flight hours milestones, things like that), but that's really up to the command. Some commands won't say a thing if you have a personal, non flight related patch on there.
This is especially true while deployed. Allowing some latitude in things like that raises morale and esprit de corps, so a blind eye tends to be turned (within reason, of course), during deployments.
Finally, by Navy uniform regs, all of the patches are secured to the flight suit by velcro, so it is nothing to change the patches out when deployed and change them back when you go home if the command doesn't permit personal patches when at home base.
Probably a more complicated answer than you were expecting, but it is what it is. Hope that answered your question.
Zooming in on the image, it certainly looks like a VCDL patch; the lower right word, on a 300% (in-browser) magnification certainly *looks* like "League". (The lower left word is not quite readable at that point.)
Good on 'im!
Not as unusual as you might think.
The helo in the background is an MH-60S. They are flown by several Navy squadrons, one of which is HSC-28, home-based in Norfolk, Virginia (full disclosure, I was stationed there for three years when it was still HC-8 and flew the CH-46).
HSC-28 is currently deployed to Haiti with the USS Nassau.
Not surprising at all that a sailor stationed in Virginia would be a Second Amendment advocate and supporter of the premier gun rights advocacy group in Virginia. I know I was when I was still active duty and am now an Executive Member and staff blogger for VCDL.