I don't get how such people could be as verbose as shown in this quite precise article. And I'm not even getting into the idea that he could be a US soldier ...
he's not. it's gear you can order online or get at any local surplus store. I'm not even in the US and a quick look shows it's trivial to get.
it's another layer of obfuscation. strippers telling you their name is April (but then whispering to you that their real name is Stefani)... but their real name is actually Angela, and it's just another deflection to keep off the stalkers.
same idea with IT OPSEC