Why aren't war trophies and "bringbacks" allowed in the US military?
This is a scene from the series The Pacific. It's extremely graphic so you've been warned.
These are warcrimes on the individual, but it was common on all sides of that war. Particularly aggressive were the United States Marines in the Pacific theatre and the Japanese everywhere else, of course, not to forget the SS in Nazi Europe. True, the video you saw was a work of fiction, but I fully believe that something to the effect of it probably happened more often we today would like to admit. A great deal of testimony also confirms it. That said, "War Trophies" have a way of moving from lugers and AK's to "chicklets and ears", that particular euphemism referring to trophies in the form of severed ears and teeth acquired through American History X style curb stomps. I have never heard of this practice actually taking place in modern wars, but that it would exist even in jest suggests to me that it has happened and reverberated throughout the underground rumors, legends and stories within the military.
Having said this, it is my belief that the secondary reason for banning the practice of the taking of war trophies is to reduce the likelihood of certain acts that would constitute a war crime. In my mind, banning the small stuff is a clear message on policies toward the big stuff. Training against this was often and we knew very well never to take trophies of any kind and that shipping them home would be punishable as a federal offense. It really reduced the value of such acts when we knew the costs were so high and in my mind that may be a design to preserve the US military's image overseas in these prolonged wars we continue to face.
To be clear, I really want this answer to serve as a supplement to Sam Morningstar's answer. His is the most direct answer to the question and spot on. I just believe there is more to the story that might make it clearer the severity the US military places on preserving the dignity of enemy agents.
War trophies are allowed. You need a commanding officer's approval and a "DD Form 603-1" filled out. This form will be presented at customs, with the war trophy. Failure to present the form, results in the item being seized.
It's common belief that soldiers can not bring war trophies home, but this is false. A well written request to your commanding officer, should get you his signature. The trick is to word it, so it sounds like an award or commendation.
We received Iraqi Ak-47 bayonets, for training their soldiers in close quarters combat.
The inscription read:
This token of exemplary service to the people's Army of Iraq, is presented to the members of the 3rd ACR, 1/3 ATRP. For meritorious service, during the joint training operations, in the Niniwa province of 2007-2008. The units actions bring credit upon their country and uphold the highest standards of the Army.
Another trick is to tack it on a plaque, make sure it's inscribed to sound like an award. Even, inscribed as "presented by some local Iraqi police Cheif or officer."
Oh, and always remember to get one made for the commander. Not signing yours, means he can't get his. Well, he could...but it would be a dick move and he'd have to keep it on the down low. While your at it, it's always good to grease the tracks by getting one made for everyone up your chain of command, all the way up to the commander. This eliminates the favoritism factor, that could hurt your chances of getting the sign off.
When you get home take it off the plaque and have fun with your new trophy.
On a side note, Anyone notice how roomy the center of a V-Vac filter is behind the Bradley engine?
It looks like this, but in the shape of a V.
Although, to be completely honest, I really wanted to bring back a seized AK from Iraq - either the ones that had been blinged out, or the old busted up ones that had character. It would have been rather easy to sneak it in if you had the right military travel scenario. Most troops don't come through normal customs process and they don't really tear through loaded military gear or verify that a broken down weapon in a gun case has too many extra parts. So, if it was broken down completely and these various parts were stashed in with other hardware, this would probably go unnoticed. Of course, if you get caught, there is hell to pay. In my opinion, it wasn't worth it - not by a long shot. Plus, where you gonna put it or when would you ever use it?
My team in Iraq would actually take out seized AKs to the range and play around with them (although we had a legit sounding justification, as "foreign weapon familiarization"). One goal would be to see if you could fire with no stock, in long bursts and stay on target (they have a tendency to ride up quickly on full burst). They are pretty fun to shoot on full auto.
I really don't think the wars we are fighting now (Iraq and Afghanistan) really have much opportunity for trophies. Most of the engagements I have been involved in were from relatively long distances, without great target ID. When Taliban are killed, they are usually dragged off by the others, as to leave no trace of how many were KIA. So you won't really have the opportunity to capture yourself a weapon in most cases. It just isn't practical or as easy as it was in the past.
There is one trophy, however, that everyone who sees combat does come back with. It's psychological, it's awful, and it really never goes away.
There are stories of people bringing back land mines, grenades, c-4, semtex, motors and full auto weapons that are highly illegal in some states. Then they take that stuff and do something really stupid. Like sell explosives to the knuckle head down that block that wants to hurt someone or hurt themselves.
