Question about ROTC Cadets

Filmmaker

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Hey all,

I'm a college filmmaker planning a music video in the coming months. The video is about a group of party-goers whose party is busted by a group of SWAT/Secret Police-type officers. The squad busts into the party, is overcome by the music, and starts dancing themselves. It's a fun and positive video.

I was considering reaching out to my school's ROTC program to see if any of the cadets would be interested in playing the SWAT team. I have ski masks, vests and prop weapons. My thought is that the cadets would be in perfect shape, be familiar with close quarter tactics and have their BDU's to wear under the gear.

My question is simple: would they be allowed to participate, or is it against regulations to wear their BDU in anything like a music video or short film?

I apologize for my ignorance. I'm in the dark on this one.
 
Hey all,

I'm a college filmmaker planning a music video in the coming months. The video is about a group of party-goers whose party is busted by a group of SWAT/Secret Police-type officers. The squad busts into the party, is overcome by the music, and starts dancing themselves. It's a fun and positive video.

I was considering reaching out to my school's ROTC program to see if any of the cadets would be interested in playing the SWAT team. I have ski masks, vests and prop weapons. My thought is that the cadets would be in perfect shape, be familiar with close quarter tactics and have their BDU's to wear under the gear.

My question is simple: would they be allowed to participate, or is it against regulations to wear their BDU in anything like a music video or short film?

I apologize for my ignorance. I'm in the dark on this one.

Not sure about AROTC but NROTC MIDN are not allowed to wear any uniform except to a NROTC function. I suppose uniform day is something of an exception, but then they are only allowed to wear them to classes. I've yet to see my son in a uniform and as much as I beghe won't even put it on in the house. I expect the other ROTCs are the same.
 
Hey all,

I'm a college filmmaker planning a music video in the coming months. The video is about a group of party-goers whose party is busted by a group of SWAT/Secret Police-type officers. The squad busts into the party, is overcome by the music, and starts dancing themselves. It's a fun and positive video.

I was considering reaching out to my school's ROTC program to see if any of the cadets would be interested in playing the SWAT team. I have ski masks, vests and prop weapons. My thought is that the cadets would be in perfect shape, be familiar with close quarter tactics and have their BDU's to wear under the gear.

My question is simple: would they be allowed to participate, or is it against regulations to wear their BDU in anything like a music video or short film?

I apologize for my ignorance. I'm in the dark on this one.

Well, I have heard that you are allowed to wear your uniform in public so long as you are not disgracing the Army--and your unit for that matter--in any way (protesting, drinking, starting fights, etc.)and you wear it properly. However, I have also heard that soldiers are discouraged from wearing the uniform on a daily basis as it can attract unwanted attention, UNLESS you are on duty or traveling to/from a duty station. There are also unit specific rules regarding uniform wear. Now, at least at my unit, we ONLY wear our ACUs on class and lab days as well at any training (FTX) or informal ROTC event (Cannon Crew). However, this is pretty standard for nearly every AROTC unit at a standard civilian college. That being said, SMCs are different in that they have their own designated field uniforms which are permitted for daily wear. I know at Norwich and NGCSU, the designated field uniform is the ACU. So, if you were attending an SMC--which I'm guessing you probably aren't--you would have no trouble getting cadets to do this. But, you could gather up cadets then go and see the PMS ask him/her to permit those cadets to wear their uniform for the video shoot. That would be the best thing you could do in this situation.
 
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Do they have to be in ROTC uniforms? Could you just find some old surplus uniform/camo stuff and just use that? If it's under vests I think it would work out. Could always just go all black clothes too.

By the way, I'd give all the cadets as much info as you can - Personally I wouldn't want to be involved in anything with bad taste, especially as a cadet. Though you mentioned positive so I'm assuming there's nothing like that.
 
Do they have to be in ROTC uniforms? Could you just find some old surplus uniform/camo stuff and just use that? If it's under vests I think it would work out. Could always just go all black clothes too.

By the way, I'd give all the cadets as much info as you can - Personally I wouldn't want to be involved in anything with bad taste, especially as a cadet. Though you mentioned positive so I'm assuming there's nothing like that.

We had this issue with our program. Our cadets wore BDUs with someone else's nametape. That way nobody could confuse it with a documentary.
 
By the way, I'd give all the cadets as much info as you can - Personally I wouldn't want to be involved in anything with bad taste, especially as a cadet. Though you mentioned positive so I'm assuming there's nothing like that.

Given the story behind the recent film that has caused a whole lot of disturbance in the middle east, I personally would highly recommend any ROTC cadet not participate in any movie where they do not have a written agreement guaranteeing artistic control (or at least right to edit out their participation) over the end product. Even then you could be chasing a hard to nail down video if it gets out of control.

Lots of opportunity to put themselves and their community in a bad light.
 
Given the story behind the recent film that has caused a whole lot of disturbance in the middle east, I personally would highly recommend any ROTC cadet not participate in any movie where they do not have a written agreement guaranteeing artistic control (or at least right to edit out their participation) over the end product. Even then you could be chasing a hard to nail down video if it gets out of control.

Lots of opportunity to put themselves and their community in a bad light.

I agree. They will look like the bad guys raiding this party and furthermore they "see the light", abandon their mission, and join in the fun! Hate to be a part-pooper but I don't see any upside for ROTC here.
 
Filmmaker,

I know this seems like a simple request, and something that should be relatively easy, but there is something you need to remember. Just because it's a ROTC detachment doesn't mean this isn't still a military unit under strict official guidelines on interactions with the media (to include videos and film, which is why you see all those "Thanks to the US Dept of Defense" at the end of so many Hollywood films that feature US military personnel and equipment in prominent roles).

They WILL ask you to work through Public Affairs, most likely through their Headquarters channels. Now, you'll end up having to get in touch with these Military types, who may be friendly and willing to consider it (but their first tendency is to immediately say "no" out of fear that you will portray the military in a bad light). They'll ask to see your concept or script, they'll "recommend" changes. they'll put your through the bureaucratic wringer waiting for their approval. You know, a pain in the rear.

Second, SWAT teams (and "secret police"; got a chuckle out of that) tend to have distinctive black uniforms, not the Cammies you see the military cadets wearing. Want authenticity? Ask your local campus police department to participate instead. Sell it to them as a "way to show the student body that they relate".

Lastly. A music video where bad guys try to break up the fun, only to be "turned" by the power of the music? Seriously? Don't you think that is just a "tad" cliche? I mean, everyone has done it since music videos became popular in the early 80s. From the Beastie Boys ("Fight for your Right to Party.") to Nickelback's "This Summer" last year (at least I think that is the name of the song) .

Do you really want to copy an idea from Nickelback? :shake:
 
Interesting. Never been a fan of pimping out the uniform.
 
Filmmaker -- why don't you just rent or buy a few uniforms rather than have cadets (or other actors) use their issued uniforms?
 
We had this issue with our program. Our cadets wore BDUs with someone else's nametape. That way nobody could confuse it with a documentary.

I made a short film for a Terrorism Studies class some time ago, and we just used generic BDUs, with no patches/nametapes.

Filmmaker, how about having some people just get all black clothing with facemasks/balaclavas? That way anyone can play the part.

Like I said (and other posters), ROTC cadets are held to a different standard and have to be extremely careful at all times. I don't mean to discourage you, of course.
 
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