Looking for BDU's

Then why do military surplus stores sell the clothing with the patches still attached?

If it were that important - the government would have all the stuff removed before the clothes got into civilian hands.

 

+1 for what Banshee said - also the fact that they (most likely) simply don't have the time (or manpower) to sit there and remove the patches and tapes attached to all of the uniform articles. I'm not sure about your area - but being in San Diego, our Army / Navy stores are stocked old BDU's (the one not too far from my school has piles of 'em that almost reach the ceiling of the warehouse-like store they're in). That'd take forever if they were to de-patch and de-tape every, single jacket (and other article, e.g. hats and pants, with tapes on 'em).

 

The key word is misuse, but gee, what can't you buy through DRMO (Defense Reutilization & Marketing Service)? I've seen huge lots of gov't equipment go to auction & who knows where it ends up globally. Locally, I've seen CUCVs & old LEO cars that still look legit. Who knows what their selling & to whom?

Muddock, Glad you scored some freebies , my old stuff (detagged) went to a neighboring family who all were into hunting & paintball.