I remember as a kid in the mid 80’s in South Africa playing sports in a field, the one bloke had his father Rhodesian camo shirt on, cops drove by and he had to do a runner
It doesn't even need to be camo to cause issues. A cashier at Lefty's, a left-handed specialty store in San Francisco nearly gave me a military discount because I was wearing an OD green BDU blouse and OD green tactical pants. I immediately stopped him and pointed out that the US military hasn't used solid OD green in decades. The fact that it was Fleet Week likely added to the issue.
Some US military police like the USMC's SRT/SWAT currently use flat OD green tactical uniforms, mainly to differentiate them from the regular service uniform. Add to that the issuance of OD green uniforms by some DHS units, FBI tactical units, local SWAT, etc. and there could also be an issue of law enforcement impersonation.
There's also OD green flight suits that are currently US military issue. To the untrained eye of a member of the public, a BDU uniform might be difficult to differentiate from a flight suit.
I used wear BDU's sometimes, OD, M81 and T-Stripe. I like the look and it's very comfortable but I had to stop because on a few occasions I got accused of stolen valor (Mind you I look too young to have been issued any of that and I am wearing tennis shoes with no patches at all on the outfit), other times people would question when/where I served, or a kid working the counter would offer me a discount and I'd get shitty looks from people when I had to explain I just like the look and feel of my baggy ass BDU's. Now it's only the pants I wear unless it's for hunting. Shame.
In Mexico, it is only illegal to wear any current camo of the armed forces, but you can have all the camo, vests, plate carriers and helmets you want, you can even order them in the internet normally, but it might make you look very suspicious due to the cartel situation
In the Philippines, I took a camping class for my physical education requirements in college. We were told NOT to wear any camouflage, or fatigues when camping out in the wilderness, which makes sense since the public, the government, even other armed groups (whether outlaw, private, or rebel) have very practical reasons to immediately think you're an enemy (or at least dangerous to them), ESPECIALLY if it's not a uniform/ pattern that isn't the same as theirs. The government also has prior experiences with people committing crimes using police, and military uniforms. Non-government forces have experienced it too; iirc one rebel group shared the same uniform as one private armed group which confused as to who committed one assassination
my grandpa has the surplus Gulf war 1 fatigues and use them Everytime, dunno why our country declared it illegal while i see people especially in public that some people wear them like public transportation drivers
depends on what areas you are in, if you live near rural parts then it is not safe, but you can wear one piece of camo just avoid wearing a whole set of uniform.
@@tedhubertcrusio372 woodland camos are pretty much the standard say yes the M81 woodland. cops and soldiers can identify them easily. one exception is Woodland Marpat since its very similar to the PNP's FSU digital camo, people confuse them with Marpat. but its safe. Desert camos too they(Filipinos) tend to refer to them as Desert Storm patterns generally.
Here in the Philippines, the one camo you absolutely cannot wear is PHILARPAT, our army's official camo. How seriously camo laws are taken also depends on what kind of equipment your wearing and what region you're in. In the cities, you'd be alright wearing some kinds of camo. In the provinces, you'd have to be way more careful. In Mindanao, I wouldn't even risk wearing choco chip shorts (there are many photos of rebel fighters wearing whatever camo they find, including desert camo).
so its ok to wear other camos for example what the russian military use just not what our military use if that's so no wonder the police didnt give a s**t about me looking like a random russian soldier going to a jollibee
@@Alan_Hans So long as its not AFP or PNP uniforms, camo, insignia, etc. and you're in a place that isn't an insurgent hotspot, then it should be fine.
@JohnDoe-xj1pf it depends on what type of color because there are two units still using that pattern. The one was the Special Force's Regiment - Airborne from the Army and the Naval Special Operation's Command from the Navy. If you wear that specific type of Tiger stripe much better to avoid it but if it's a short Pants tho, it's fine but long pants are prohibited for the Tiger stripes. But if it is look like the different colors (Like Russian OMON, USAF Digi-Tiger Stripes, Taiwanese Tiger Stripes) you can allow it. But just like I said, I suggest not to wear the specific ones that already used by the two most respective Units of the AFPSOCOM.
Could you imagine being in Barbados or a country with similar laws: You're out with your friends wearing your favorite pair of camo undies. Everyone's a bit buzzed when the police walk by and your buddy thinks it'd be hilarious to pants you. Then, bam, you're in jail!
I remember stopping by in Barbados on a cruise ship as young teen and the cruise staff telling us Americans that no camo or military associates imagery/symbolism from any branch. I had a Navy anchor necklace (not an actual anchor lol cause talk about broke neck) and I still today recall having to take it off before we left the boat. Weird. Thank God we live in the United States of America.
@@noco7243 it was in the US and it he wasn't wearing underwear so it was for indecency instead. He ended up not getting I'm trouble because of CCTV but all the cops saw was some jackass with his pants down yelling at some other guy (the guy who pantsed him)
The funniest stuff is shops like Americana Pipedream stocking Omani and Irish dpm and getting emails from their respective ministries of defence asking how they got them.
In Panamá 🇵🇦 its legal to buy and wear current military camo of the Panamanian public force but its illegal to wear it as full uniform, vest and patches for security reasons
during my stay in the Philippines from what I understand is that authorities only prohibit the use of Philippine Camo or Uniforms issued by their own government. it is safe to wear other patterns such as US patterns. just avoid wearing the whole uniform say limit it to one piece and you are good. Surplus is booming in the Philippines and the more the public have access to it, largely US patterns this is not an issue to the local government. I actually know some cops selling commercial and US camouflage to the public.
Some they also sell other camouflage as well like Korean ones but yeah as you said you never wear Battle Dress Uniform in Public based on what the AFP and PNP Camou Patterns issued. Unless it's a short pans that based on the AFP Camou Patterns you can buy that as a soveneir.
Actually to keep it simple, here in the Philippines current issued camo BDU's can't be worn publicly. If any person not in the PNP or AFP wears it publicly they'll be fined for it. Other BDU's from other countries and old BDU's not issued anymore are legal, even if you put in patches, badges and the like. A lot of people that do those types are either airsofters, collectors, and reenactors. I myself am an airsofter and I also wear a foreign BDU and sometimes I also meet airsofters who are active personel in the PNP and AFP and its fine. So the summary of it is anyone can buy BDU's here in the Philippines. Foreign BDU's are legal to own, but current issued BDU's by the AFP and PNP aren't allowed to be owned by people not in the AFP and PNP (exceptions are retirees).
I was aware of camo laws, and knew of a few of these. I had forgotten about the Philippines, but was aware it was restricted in a lot of Africa. it is an interesting video, though it is kind of depressing to see how many places restrict their people so, and how many places have so many bad actors. Makes you appreciate where you live, I suppose.
I went to the Bahamas this year on a cruise, I chose to leave my camo shorts (even the non standard ones like purple, red, blue, white, etc.) at home just in case.
For the Philippines it is highly discouraged to wear anything resembling military uniforms or the use vehicles with colors resembling that of the military as you put yourself at risk of ambush from the terrorists that operates on certain areas of the country. Mostly in the mountainous areas and the southern islands where the terrorists are mostly located. Speaking of the camouflage uniforms, you should check out the weird orange camouflage of our Bureau of Fire Protection agency. They want to be visible and well camouflaged at the same time 🤣
In Mexico using the exact same camo of the Armed Forces (either Army, Navy or National Guard) is illegal: the selling, buying and use of it is considered a crime, to prevent impersonation especially by Drug Cartels. Of course this also applies to any official uniform. You can own other type of camo uniforms.
I know what you mean. Most of mine was for hunting or "just in case" but found its way into daily wear. Nothing hides muddy dog paw prints like it and the big pockets hold treats for said dog.
@Jannie Kirsten I was facetious. (I'm not really a hillbilly, appearance aside) The walking the dog with treats in the cargo pockets part was legit though. Relax.
@Jannie Kirsten Deer see blue, perhaps even better than we do and birds see very well. Most hunter camouflage is designed to entice customers at Cabela's and costs more than surplus.
It's always good to prepare for "just incase " you never know what people are planning not just the gov. What if a deranged killer is after you . I'd rather have camo THEN ANY OTHER CLOTHING
Thank you for making this video. I never considered that bringing or wearing camouflage items in these countries would be illegal. You probably just saved me from getting fined or arrested.
It is not enforced these days but in the heydays of insurgency in NE India in 1980s and 1990s camo gear was a quick way to get picked up by police or if you are in really bad luck para military/army. Results might range from a sound trashing to torture and, worst case you get disappeared/encountered depending on the unit that got you and the location you were caught(urban/rural/forest). An uncle of mine found out the hard way when he was on top of a tree with a shotgun to protect his fields from wild elephants and boars at night. Since the area is in the boundary between my state and neighboring Assam(insurgency hot bed those days) he was found by a military patrol conducting counter insurgency operations. So an armed man in a forest area at night in camo meant he was detained for a significant amount of time and although, never was the same physically and mentally and winters were horrible for his joints.
Here in saudi arabia it's legal to wear camouflage but not active used pattarn now the majority sections using digital camouflage also 10 years ago the pattern was change and the new jackets was sells to anyone
I live in the Caribbean, I live about two hours (by plane) from TT. In TT they have a serious problem with criminals, gangs et cetera, who wear camo for the purpose of impersonation of Military & Police, to get away with commiting crimes and atrocities.
Having been held at gunpoint by a couple of soldiers on the Zim side of the SA boarder around 2005. I can confirm that they definitely enforced the no camo for civilians in Zimbabwe before 2016.
To be more specific for the Philippine Section, civilians can't buy/will be arrested wearing PHILARPAT, PNP Patterns(FSU woodland, "Camo Green", SAF), "Patig" DPM copies, LRRPAT, and other current-issue camos. No idea if this applies to uniforms from non-DND/PNP agencies (like BFP), but they'll have issues with you impersonating them for sure. Legacy uniforms (like M81 Woodland or Olive Drab uniforms) are okay, as well as foreign patterns (Multicam, UCP, etc). Of course, none of this applies if you're not in the Philippines. I've seen American mil-simmers wear full LRR kits and I am in complete envy. Where the hell did they get those uniforms anyway?
Absolute bullshit and lie. Dont listen to this ASG teenagers and janusz spreading misinformation. In Poland it is only illegal if you have a FULL polish military uniform, with every details and unit patches of currently worn uniforms by Polish military which is almsot impossible to do. U can wear as much camo clothes (including polish camo) as u want
This is a great video overall. Was a little surprised you didn't mention Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, or Ireland. But I image they're more well know for this issue than the countries mentioned. so perhaps you felt that less necessary.
I used to paint homes in a black overall. After getting splashed with green and brown paint, I spent the next decade in a Saudi Arabian prison. They take camouflage laws seriously.
I once wear a camo shots in my borading school. A Nepali classmate said it is illegal for teens and adults to wear in Nepal. Of course that was during the height of the Nepal Maoist insurgency. I don;t know if they still banned it today
Damm as a Filipino I got worried cause I have a gorka suit, a few shirts with camo but when you said not allowed to replicate any AFP or PNP, I got relived, man I thought I would get prison time and shit hahaha, but this is still good to know
But you know and see tricycle drivers wearing current AFP and PNP issue camouflage uniforms particularly jackets and pants all the time and nobody cares.😄😄
I bought an SPOSN bag from Russia years ago and I still used it until now. I have encountered troops from both the AFP and the PNP while carrying my bag and they didn't cared at all. xD
@@Kenerkz kung bags pants and hats lng naman ang suot mo wla naman talaga paki alam ang mga tao. Ang maka tawag pansin lang pag pinag sabay mo sila isuot o gamitin.
@@deutschesvaterlandfankanal yeah you bring up a good point cause as an American Camo collector from Texas who owns an array of Camo patterns from different countries including my own. I get tired of having to explain to the normies that I’m not a “NaZi” or a “CoMmUnIsT” simply cause I own Russian camouflage, a hammer & sickle hat badge for a Soviet afghan war vdv paratrooper helmet, & a world war 1 stahlhelm & that I’m just a collector no different from a person who collects shoes, comics or figurines. Because not every American is PC as there are still a lot of westerners who remain anti PC but collect Camo as a hobby, but the PC cult apparently thinks people who collect world war 1, world war 2 and/or Cold War memorabilia & even those who engage in reenactments are somehow “NeO nAzIs” when most of them are just regular dudes who don’t hold extremist views of any kind & many of them are just collectors who think Camo is cool regardless of what nation it came from. Sorry for the really long winded paragraphs but I just wanted to backup & add to what you were saying from the perspective of Texan Camo collector who cannot stand the PC culture nonsense.
Here in South Africa the government/millitary have been seen as enforcing the law very liberally, from sport starts wearing a soldier 2000 shirt at an party, a guy appearing on national TV with a clothes that looks like the official ones, however they have also targeted our own soldiers who posted photos to social media ex. A quick pic with their kid before going to work, a judge actually threw out such a case claiming it's an insult to the soldiers who was showing what they are in the military to protect, from what I recall the military have allowed the pics to be taken however they must not be posted online.
In Sweden, it is fully legal to own and wear current, older and foreign camouflage patterns. What is illegal though, is if you in wearing it give of the impression that you that you work for the Defence. Then we are talking fines and possibly jailtime. This has as a consequence that people that do Airsoft and such often play with M90 uniforms devoid of any markings.
From what I remember; it is like that too here in Finland. Wearing m/05 is ok, but if you have the name tape, rank, flag and cocarde on your uniform, and you're not currently serving (conscript, refreshment training etc.) it's not ok. But I don't know if anyone would notice, since most of the men and some of the women go through the conscription and people in m/05 are common sight around the country. Wearing foreing camo or older military stuff isn't a problem either, since most of the younger populace have been wearing Bundeswehr camo jackets for the past 10-15 years. During the winter I wear FDF surplus m/39 fur hat (w/o the cocarde ofc) and many old geezers come talk to me about their service and compliment my "elephant's pussy".
@@juhokuusisto9339 yeah, got one of the Swedish winter coats myself. The kind the officers tell people not to use, even in -30°C, because "if you put that on now, then what will you wear when it gets cold?"... anyways, military surplus is great!
I think it would be interesting if y’all did a video on the use of camouflage within various countries Jrotc/Rotc programs as from what I’ve looked at it’s very varied
I went to Saudi Arabia back in 2015 for Religious pilgrimage and wore a Russian Berezka camo shirt, so yeah as long as it's not a camo worn by Saudi authorities, I guess it's pretty much okay?
@@pinkyellowblue007 Well no, circuit races are banned. But as with anything if you have money its not a problem either. They had an EV GP in Bern recently if I remember correvtly.
India does not allow Indian Army camo and barely tolerates its own para-military's like the Border Police from possessing camo similar to the Indian Army (like French CE with army crests woven into the material)
When Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia (prior to early 1980) Security Forces had a regulation against non-government people wearing any type of camo...regardless of their age, race, or location in the country. Official reason was the "inference" that "mistakes" might be made in the field... -YP-
In AD 2017, this Prior Service USMC and US Army Veteran ( 9 Years of Active Federal Military Service ( AFMS), with 1 Year and 4 Months in the Army National Guard ( ARNG) and US Army Reserve ( USAR) ), was invited to a Conservative Jewish Synagogue near Mesa, Arizona, by a Black Man' named Drew, nicknamed " Doc", because, He was a Navy Hospital Corpsman during the Vietnam War, and, a convert to Judaism from Baptist Church Christianity. I was confronted by an Israeli Woman with an Eastern European accent, named " Motti" , who claimed that She was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Hel Avir Yisrael , Israel Air Force ( IAF), and , started to berate Me for wearing an Olive Drab Green Condor Ball Cap, a long sleeve and short sleeve shirt and trousers, from Dickie's, and, Interceptor Tactical Boots and a " Rigger's Belt", in Desert Sand. This U. S. Citizen of Puerto Rican descent 🇵🇷🇺🇸 kept His Professional Warfighter Composure , and, told Her that She was a Foreigner in My Country, that I did not recognize Her Rank nor Military Service in the Israel Defense Force ( IDF), and, She had no Military Forces Identification Card to prove that She was either on Active Duty or Reserve Component Military Forces of the State of Israel and, I also told " Motti", that , unlike the State of Israel, The United States of America, has The Constitution 🇺🇸📜 that says that We AMCITS ( American Citizens) can own 🔥💥 Arms , and, Express Ourselves as We want , to even wear Olive Drab Green, Woodland Camouflage M81 BDU and Desert Sand, Desert Camouflage, or any other Military or ParaMilitary Clothing and Apparel. If I even wanted to go to any Foreign County , and honestly, I don't want to, I will comply with the laws of that Nation State, however, I will not allow No One, NOT even another AMCIT( American Citizen) , and most definitely, NOT A FOREIGNER, to tell Me not to wear Olive Drab Green, MultiCam, Woodland Camouflage M81 BDU and Desert Camouflage M81 BDU, MARPAT Woodland Camouflage/ Desert Camouflage, etc and et.al., when The Foreigner is NOT a United States Citizen nor a Legalized National. 🇺🇸🦅🗽📜😡🤬🖕
Banning ALL military related items is crazy because at least half the stuff in your wardrobe has military origins: t-shirts, bomber jackets, neck ties, khakis/chinos, cargo pants, aviators
This is interesting. In Indonesia the law is pretty absurd, I remember a reservist fresh off the basic school wore a Marine (Korps Marinir) patch in the middle of the marine base itself despite the fact he never qualified for it. There's also one instance where a civillian forced to undress his camo shirt by an MP officers.
In Greece it's only illegal as long as you trying to impersonating authority In practice most conscripts are not asked to return their camo - only dress uniforms and nowadays those are not even issued So it's not uncommon to conscripts gifting away their cammos or using them as hunting or working clothes And you can also get surplus stuff from dedicated shops since the same companies making uniforms are often make working clothes as well so it's not uncommon for older discontinued, experimental ect uniforms often end up to those shops 😉
I work with a Russian-speaking Ukrainian immigrant. She said to me (through our bilingual boss) that it's illegal in Ukraine to wear any military clothing if you're not currently serving in the Ukrainian military, due to the situation with Russia and the separatists.
OK, that's interesting. I have worked in Ukraine in summer for humanitarian aid and I've seen volunteers from all over the world dressed up in full multicam straight outta a Hollywood action movie while not fighting as combattants but helping as civilians, driving Transports etc..
Take my like. But seriously this is a good video giving a brief summary of laws regarding wearing camouflage or military articles of clothing. Out of curiosity I spent some time in Vietnam this year do you have a video on the uniforms used in southeast Asia or specific countries in that region in general or is that something in the works
In South Africa, a lot of the private security companies wear various shades & colours of cammo. I have & wear a pair of trousers & a jacket/smock that I obtained in Mozambique about 20 years ago. Never been stopped or advised not to.
now, I'm pretty sure I've seen footage of Jamaicans wearing camo shorts and such. of course, it is entirely believable that the police don't have time to go after everyone breaking the law and probably are more relaxed with the stuff that clearly isn't trying to appear military grade. or maybe they just don't notice, because it blends in so well.
Seems like most if not all are small third world countries that deal with strife on a regular basis. For this I can see their reasoning. I wear Camo Leggings regularly here in the USA because I like stiff tactile feel of the material on my skin. It kind of helps keep me focused during the day.
@@kabardino1337 it's not just camouflage. In some countries, women are required to wear head coverings or face severe penalties. In some places, especially those run by criminal gangs, wearing the wrong color or brand of clothing will provoke violence. Everyone should be allowed to wear what they want, even if it's ugly.
imagine trying to replicate a uniform of an army (AFP) or a police force (PNP) that probably no one knows outside the country they operate in (Philippines) -A Filipino
In Brazil we also have legislation prohibiting the use of uniforms and insignias without being entitled, or not in active service in the regular or auxiliary military forces, with a penalty of 6 months to 2 years in prison, but unfortunately the forces themselves do not charge plus this law, in a certain situation in the 80's I was using Brazilian army pants, which I had won from my cousin who was a paratrooper and the police stopped me and informed me that it was not allowed and today they don't do it anymore.
@@trini2DBone134 If you were a hunter, you would understand why but being OK with a government telling you what type of clothing you can and can not wear doesn't upset you only makes me feel sorry for your inability to understand what being free is really about..
I have never understood the attraction to wearing camouflage apparel. I spent 14 years in the US Air Force (medically retired) and I have only worn my BDUs when in a veterans function otherwise they have not been worn since I was retired. I have them stored in my closet but I have no reason to wear those uniforms. In the Philippines I have a set of of the OD green fatigues that I am planning on donating to a museum at the old Clark AB.
They are functional, more durable, and generally inexpensive clothing. This is a great combination of factors for outdoorsmen, hunters, or people that like pockets and inexpensive clothing
Even in Germany, if you go to an Airsoft event, it is adviced by the organizers to not wear camouflage (or to military clothing) during the commute to the event location. It is not forbidden to do so but rather recommended. Surely not for all events but the once i have attended that was the case.
Damn good thing the Jamaicans don't enforce their laws that stringently. I wore a a British modern windproof and an American assault pack on my carry on in 2018, on a trip there.
Never thought about this as I usually take my Swiss m70 jacket and DPMs with me on trips in case of bad weather. If I'm arrested for a crime like this should I call a customs office?
I don't normally have complaints about your videos but if you name 21countrys you could at least show what each camo looks like cheers keep up the great work
In kenya these laws are only enforced in low income areas where gangs have gone as far as killing active duty police officers and taking their uniforms before impersonating them in committing crimes
Also in ASEAN, in Indonesia the possession and wearing of military camouflage (we called it PDL -field uniform-DPM Malvinas) is strictly prohibited. You cant wear it publicly, if you get one and given by maybe some members likely "ok" but wear publicly is forbidden. If we used military uniform and noticed by locals Military Police or Garrison maybe we will striped and the unifrom is taken by them Civillian is "OK" just to wear like a T-shirt camo like some commemoration event etc/ Also to OK wore "civilian organization" camouflage like Pemuda Pancasila it is okay
does this mean the camouflage pattern that is in active service with the Indonesian army or this includes any other camouflage pattern from other countries as well?
In Saudi Arabia is only illegal to wear fully uniform for non military personnel. The rest is totally fine as wearing it as sort of style or fashion. And the law only applies on current standard issued uniforms
Kenyan government be like: "Criminals sometimes commit victimed crimes while wearing military uniforms, this is bad because it is illegal to wear a military uniform"
I'm wondering how this would affect wearing dress uniform pants in some of these countries that ban every military uniform, since a lot of service issue dress pants just look like regular slacks and probably would not even be identified by law enforcement when worn, although these are parts of military uniforms and have military labels on the inside.
I think in Colombia due to the internal armed conflict it is illegal to wear military gear unless you are part of the army , at least it was illegal years ago when I was there, it may have changed.
You can actually buy uniforms and patches in the philippines easily like candy the rule is just don't wear the full uniform along with the insignias since its qualified as usurpation of authority
my husband served in the South African National defense forces from 2005-15 and we live in the USA and he will never part with his equipment from his time.
I've seen WHITE SHARK patterned Woodland color Wet Suits in Cairns , Australia. There's about 5 or 6 colorways. I wonder if there's a market for them in the Caribbean? D'ya think the fish object to this subversive. Submerged Subterfuge ? And what about motorbike Leathers.... All these quandaries.....
