An image of a National Guardsman wearing a Nazi symbol on his kevlar helmet surfaced on social media, prompting an Army investigation. The photo was posted on the 20th Special Forces Group’s official Instagram page, showing three soldiers with one seemingly wearing a patch depicting the Nazi SS Totenkopfverbände. The image was later removed from the account, and the group clarified that it was a 3rd group team patch taken out of context.
The Totenkopf logo was confirmed to be the unofficial emblem of the 3rd Special Forces Group, but it was banned in 2022 by the group’s leadership when the issue was raised. While the 3rd Special Forces Group is based in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, the Green Beret wearing the patch was associated with the 20th Group based in Birmingham, Alabama. Army Special Operations Command stated that the use of symbols depicting historic images of hate is not tolerated and violates their values, leading to an investigation into the matter.
The soldiers found flaunting the patch were reportedly unaware of the historical significance of the Totenkopf symbol. The Totenkopfverbände was the symbol for members of the Schutzstaffel (SS) who were involved in running Nazi concentration camps and mass murders during World War II. The patch worn by the soldier in the Instagram post appeared to be a mock of an SS division’s campaign in Africa, with the Death’s Head insignia in the middle, not a swastika like the authentic one used by the Nazis’ Afrika Korps.
This is not the first instance of US military personnel adopting Nazi logos or imagery. In a previous incident, a recruiting poster for the Montana National Guard depicted Nazi soldiers marching during World War II, leading to an apology from the Army. Similarly, the Marine Corps had to apologize in 2012 after scout snipers were photographed posing with a flag featuring the Nazi SS’s lightning bolt-style flash during a deployment in Afghanistan. The Marine Corps clarified that the sniper’s intentions were not to glorify or reference the SS but stood for “Scout Snipers.”
Overall, the use of symbols associated with hate groups is not tolerated in the military, and investigations are launched when such incidents come to light. It is important for personnel to be mindful of the historical significance of symbols and imagery they may be using, even if they are unaware of their implications. Instances like these highlight the importance of educating members of the military about the symbols they wear and ensuring that they align with the values and principles of the armed forces. The controversy surrounding the use of Nazi symbols in the military serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and sensitivity in the selection and display of emblems and patches.
