Even if the troops were not armed and were only directing traffic, I think there is still a need to determine who ordered them there or requested them.

I know that when I was in the Army, we went to help people during a hurricane, taking GI blankets, sheet, cots, rations and other materials to help set up shelters. At my level, I never knew what the authority was for us to use Army equipment and take our time, and really didn't care if I could help people in need, but I have always assumed someone dotted the i's and crossed the t's so what we did was legal.

Jim