With the exception of the colonel who briefs the troops and the general in charge who both keep their ranks pinned to their hats and/or collars, all the soldiers in the operation have 'sanitized' their uniforms. By removing their ranks, name tapes, and all military insignia they reduce the information they might make available to anyone they encounter or who might try to hold them accountable.
This episode takes place in 2002.
Michael Jeter: Uncredited as the voice of William "Bill" Jeffries, the host of the conspiracy theorist radio show. He would later appear on screen in Taken (2002).