Target ID Now vs Then

Text on the meme

Target ID Now: Oh shit, their IR strobes aren't flashing in our pottern. What direction are they headed, towards our lines? Push up a CONTACTREP with SALUTE, wait for response. Target ID Then: THEY'RE WEARING RED! FUCKING SHOOT!!!

What it means

A two-panel military meme contrasts cautious modern target identification using night-vision goggles and infrared signals with reckless historical battlefield identification based on soldiers wearing red. The punchline mocks impulsive, simplistic rules of engagement and is used as a reaction to situations where someone jumps to an obvious but dangerous conclusion.

Objects

night-vision goggles / приборы ночного видения soldiers / солдаты green night-vision landscape / зелёный пейзаж ночного видения red-coated soldiers / солдаты в красных мундирах tricorn hats / треуголки muskets / мушкеты rifle / винтовка battlefield / поле боя forest / лес flags / флаги bearded screaming man / кричащий бородатый мужчина military uniform / военная форма black-and-white face / чёрно-белое лицо