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I think the key to this is cultural context. For instance, if I go to an Asian country swastikas are common place. It has completely different meaning. On the other hand, the Japanese Rising Sun here is kind of a 'cool' little thing. I've seen guys paint parts of their Japanese cars in this. But if I was in Korea, this would be a heinous symbol identified with years of imperial conquest and war crimes. At the same time the SS symbol in most Western culture is a symbol of heinous war crimes and white supremacist.
I'm also surprise to see so many throw out the idea that enlisted men are ignorant. I could of flown this flag in the cages at 1/75 and I guarantee at least half my platoon of young ignorant enlisted men would have called me on it. I can guarantee my entire platoon has seen Band of Brothers, and 90% of them have seen American History X and likely these Scout-Snipers have as well. No, that guy was not a Scout-Sniper, he was a white supremacist. This isn't about history. You guys might be ancient, but these symbols are part of popular culture.
Comparing the SS symbol to the Jolly Roger makes no sense. People that had to worry about that flag are no longer among the living. Pirates have been romanticized. So have Southern 'rebels.' Again cultural context. The swastika and the SS are still symbols of evil in our culture. I guarantee these men knew what it meant. Did they care? No. Should they be punished? Probably not if it's been ingrained in Scout-Sniper culture for 30 years. But these guys are still plain stupid for flying it and I am kind of about punishing stupidity. Maybe in a 100 years we can start rocking SS symbols, but it's too soon.
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