Brandon Williams: “insignias are important. Uniforms are important. All of us who have served understand that. This amendment is important…”

“insignias are important. Uniforms are important. All of us who have served understand that. This amendment is important too. I believe, however, it is a politically inspired and arbitrary amendment. It is, if one thinks about it, it is at the bottom a political end run around the jurisdiction and authority of our military commanders who say to those within their charge: Wear this particular color helmet or headgear or insignia, not only for the purpose of showing friendship to your comrades from another nation who fight besides you to protect freedom around the world, but for your own safety as well. This Congress would say those commanders are wrong, we politicians, in the safety of this House, know better. Mr. Chairman, I have a feeling this is about more than just one soldier who does not know how to obey orders. I think it is about multinational military missions, or, as the gentleman from Ohio refers to them, too damned many allegiances.”