There’s a Reason Minn. National Guard Now Wears Neon Vests

Minnesota’s citizen-soldiers may soon stand out more like school crossing guards than military troops, at least according to a recent Fast Company report. State officials say that if the Minnesota National Guard is officially activated around Minneapolis-St. Paul, members will wear bright reflective vests to help residents distinguish them from the other uniformed forces already on the streets.

The move comes after the ICE shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis and amid a significant federal presence, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and other agencies. Many of those officers wear camouflage, tactical gear, and body armor that resemble military uniforms, making it difficult for the public to tell soldiers and law enforcement apart.

The Minnesota National Guard, which has not yet been deployed but has been mobilized at the request of Governor Tim Walz, emphasized in a statement that its mission will focus on protecting life, property, and the right to peaceful assembly. The vests, the Guard said, are intended to make it clear who they are. USA Today reports that Minnesota has roughly 13,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen in its ranks.

Critics argue the overlap in appearance is more than just cosmetic. ICE agents, who have no standard uniform, often combine street clothes with military-style gear, agency patches, and face coverings. Detractors say the look can feel intimidating, projecting an image of an occupying force rather than traditional domestic law enforcement. “You’ve got cops geared up like they’re ready to go fight in Fallujah in order to arrest some cooks and landscapers,” one Reddit user wrote.

Retired Marine Colonel David Lapan told Task & Purpose that if even veterans struggle to identify agencies in photos and videos, the public is likely to see a monolithic “militarized response” rather than distinct law enforcement roles. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore questioned why federal agents need camouflage in urban areas at all, saying it offers no tactical advantage other than projecting authority. His blunt advice to nonmilitary agencies relying on camo: “Go get your own godd—ed uniforms.”

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