Uniform – “una” (one) / “forma” (form). Clothing that is assigned to members of the same military unit to show or demonstrate that the people wearing the uniform belongs to the armed forces of a particular State (capital S, meaning country).
A military or police uniform is used to separate them from the rest of the civilian population. During armed conflict they can lawfully take part in combative action.
Obviously, the lack of a uniform indicates a person is a civilian and therefore cannot be attacked.
The armed forces in the United States have very specific regulations regarding uniforms. In fact, the regulations are hundreds of pages long (369 at last count).
Distinctive signs on the uniform, like rank, lanyards and arm patches can be removed in combat situations for covert operations.
Undercover work or espionage mostly take place without proper identifying clothing even though it may be unlawful under international law.
International Humanitarian Law Article 44(7) mandate the wearing of identifiable uniforms during conflict.
Article 48 of the Geneva Convention states the military must wear distinguishable uniforms and “… must conduct their operations only against military objectives”.
The 1907 Hague Regulations Article 1(2) and Article 4(A)(2)(b) of the 3rd Geneva Convention of 1949 mandate the need for elements of affiliation (shoulder patches, badges, unit designators).
The failure of a military member to distinguish himself (by removing his patches and other identifying marks) is in breach of the law of war in violation of Article 37 (1)(c) and Article 23 (b) of the 1907 Hauge Regulations.
The military units that fired tear gas at the demonstrators in Washington DC remain, to this day, even in the age of aggressive investigative journalism and the internet, unidentified.
The Trump Administration is in violation of the Hague Regulations, the Geneva Convention, and International Humanitarian Laws of War. This is not even to mention the violation of Posse Comitatus Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 1385 that states the military does not take place of civilian law enforcement.
Finally, were those “military personnel” really military? Or, were they private contractors like Black Water?
Did the Trump Administration just declare war on the civilians of the United States?
Kevin Driscoll 