Marines posed with flag resembling Nazi SS logo in Afghanistan

[ellisonz]

36. The Marines formally disapprove of the use of this symbol.

Marine officials said those involved were not Nazi sympathizers.

Col. John Guthrie with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's office of inspector general said his office became aware of the photograph in November and received confirmation from a commanding officer in Afghanistan that the personnel were part of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion out of Camp Pendleton.

Guthrie said in a statement that the use of "SS runes" was "not acceptable."

"Some Scout Snipers have unfortunately used the 'SS runes' in the past as a symbol for their elite organization and not intended for racial connotations or discrimination," he wrote.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/marines-nazi-symbol-afghanistan-camp-pendleton.html

This symbol is inextricably linked to racial connotations. There is nothing elite about them, it is a symbol of the Nazis known world-wide. Ignorance is not an excuse. I'll be judgmental if I want to be, it has nothing to do with not being "smarter" and everything to do with deep disappointment that this behavior has continued despite the chain of command's apparent objection. I will not make excuses for this use and I don't give a damn if it's "traditional," to the Marine Corps and myself it is unacceptable in its ignorance.