Opinion: Why military-style gear at protests rings hollow
Armed protesters outside the New Hampshire State House in Concord, N.H., on May 2. Drew Garza served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2015. He is a Tillman scholar at George Washington University.
I left the military in 2015 after 10 years of service that included three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and about a dozen other deployments around the world. Initially, I was drawn to tactical clothing: military-style cargo pants, some variety of combat boot. I carried my multitool and other useful items, just like I did when I served. None of this was an attempt to convey authority or strength. It was a way to replicate the comfort of my uniform.
To my eye, the overall look is a caricature of a Special Operations warfighter, like those in video games.The Uniform has become a fixture in political storms and crises. People in these outfits show up to political events, where they scream and scowl. They demand freedom as they wield assault rifles. They reject criticism as un-American. Some carry flags that are un-American.
Now, however, I feel a different discomfort when I see the Uniform. Those wearing it are attempting to make their appearance speak for them, sometimes without the service that normally gives power to that voice. Over our nation’s history, the sacrifice and commitment of military service have made it a source of integrity and wisdom. It is meaningful when someone in uniform speaks because the uniform is also speaking.
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