> They don't seem to realise that these soldiers are sent where the
> govt wants to send them, they don't have a choice.
I realise that, although to be fair they are all volunteers. That's no reason to make everyone change before going out in public, though.
Look, what's going on here is plain as day. It's nothing to do with security or intimidating the public - I think that's rather underestimating the public. I strongly suspect it's politically motivated - a high-profile armed forces is inconvenient, reminding the public about two unpopular wars and making budget cuts less easily obfuscated.