An Open Letter To Fairfax County P.d.

It has come to our attention . . .

. . . that the FFX County SWAT Ops Van displays the Regimental Crest of the US Army Special Forces. Bottom Line Up Front: This bothers us. Again thank you for your service and I have all the respect in the world what you do and how you do it. But even if that truck is full of retired Green Berets, the Special Forces crest should not be displayed on a police vehicle.

This Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for 1st Special Forces 8 July 1960, further authorized March 1991 for wear by personnel of the US Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its Subordinate Units. The Crossed Arrows were adapted from Unit Insignia of the First Special Service Force of World War II, also adapted from Indian Scouts of the late 1800s. The Fighting Knife was adapted from the V 42 Fighting Knife, uniquely designed by Case for the First Special Service Force. The scroll represents the shoulder insignia of the Ranger Regiment, with whom Special Forces shares a common lineage. The motto of Special Forces: “To Free the Oppressed” represents the primary mission of Army Special Forces which is to train and lead clandestine guerrilla forces in unconventional warfare.

Special Forces personnel qualify both in advanced military skills and regional languages and cultures of defined parts of the world. While they are best known for their unconventional warfare capabilities, they also undertake other missions that include direct action raids, peace operations, counter-proliferation, counter-drug advisory roles, and other strategic missions.

This all begs the question: ‘What self respecting law enforcement organization wants to associate itself with a bunch of guerrillas practicing unconventional warfare?’

If I was a lawyer I would say it this way:

Appropriation of a US Military symbol or Insignia implies endorsement by the Department of the Army, Army participation and support of domestic law enforcement except in rare and pre-authorized instances is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) The purpose of the act is to limit the powers of the federal government in using its military personnel to act as domestic law enforcement personnel. Just as in other violations of law the appearance of impropriety can be perceived as an actual violation of the Law.

But I’m not a lawyer, I’m a Green Beret. What’s more my style is to rock on down to the cop shop in Fairfax VA and sound off:

“Who’s the Main Motherforker In Charge here? I want to talk to you, Leader of Posers and Wannabees . . . that cool logo you have painted on the side of your Paddy Wagon is the distinctive unit insignia of MY REGIMENT, the symbolism goes all the way back to the French and Indian Wars, and I’m willing to bet DOLLARS TO DOUGHNUTS that you flatfeet badge-wearing doughnut addicts don’t even know what it stands for . . . GET IT OFF AND GET IT OFF NOW or I will swing my personal propaganda machine into operation and SHAME you into removing it.”

That is all . . . I’ll see myself out . . .

STORMBRINGER SENDS