Question for Vets, how do y'all feel about civilians wearing military stuff?

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Impersonating... of course not. That's so very wrong on many levels.

But as a general matter I believe tax payers should be afforded the courtesy of wearing stuff they paid for... even if they might look like a goofball.

 

[the ringo kid]

Posers are easy to out. I don't carry my orig DD214 with me.
I have Marine Corps Veteran plates on my car's, Devil Dog tattoo on my forearm (1969) and my dog tag (serial number, not social sec #) on my key ring.
And I don't like non hackers wearing any USMC related stuff unless it say's "my son, daughter etc") is a Marine.
I see a lot of USMC decals on cars and trucks. But unless it's a state issued plate, I don't give a thumbs up or nod. Any wannabe can buy a decal or hat, but can't buy the Title and Honor.
As one guy said here, vets have a way of knowing vets.

At the gun shows here, a Marine vet sets up at all of them. He sells, books, bumperv stickers etc--all anti political establishment. At the last show--I picked up a Gadsen flag--dont tread on me sticker that i thought of putting on my tablet. He had all nthe anti-political stickers at half price and asked if I wanted any? I said nope-gave a good reason for not wanting them, and I was starting to leave and he gave me a "Its time to play Cowboys (no longer Indians--another word entered there) sticker. It was a funny sticker-and I thanked him for it. Ive nothing o display it on--so I gave it to one of my nephews.

 

[daniel lawecki]

I wouldn't wear military clothes as I was not in the military. I guess my father taught me better.

 

[the ringo kid]

Ringo,as bad as you feel about the other person buying you a sweet pie; just offset the feeling by how good HE must feel for helping who he surely thought was a Vet.

Don't be troubled.

Thats just my issue. He thought I was something Im not, but I was greatful he wanted to thank me somehow?

I do get a laugh out of being thanked for my service when I wear my Wilhelm Bauer cap-just before I thank them and tell them the truth of the matter. They then thank me for being honest about it. Last time that happened-a few weeks ago at my gym. I had to wear that cap because I was soakaing my other caps and none were ready to go.

 

[the ringo kid]

I wouldn't wear military clothes as I was not in the military. I guess my father taught me better.

The only time I can recall wearing anything official issue--was when I bought a few pairs of O.D. Green fatigues-no insignia of anykind--and I wore them to mow grass in-as they were comfortable-and had dep pockets. Other than that, nope--unless it was something I had various tools in.

 

[crazyphil]

My uncle Dave was a CPO in the big war in the Pacific. He came home on
a leave and came to visit his sister (my mom). He gave me his CPO
insignia. The gold & silver anchor with the USN on it. Man was I proud.
I was about 10 at the time. I cherished that thing, but some @%#&*
stole it. Whoever stole it probably used it to steal valor. You think?

 

[daniel lawecki]

I wouldn't wear military clothes as I was not in the military. I guess my father taught me better.

 

[Bullzaye]

I wouldn't wear military clothes as I was not in the military. I guess my father taught me better.

We believed you the first time.

Tim

 

[TexasArmed]

I wear most of the time a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran cap.
When they get around to prosecuting us old geezers as "war
criminals" because of that, i will look for another kind of Cap.

 

[Bullzaye]

Are you talking about the George Washington's and Abe Lincoln's? If so, where can I getb them? both of mine are worn and tearing.

No, I believe he's referring to the MA-1 green nylon flight jackets.

Tim

 

[Rock185]

I can only say that I don't wear any military paraphernalia or insignia,etc. A few years ago my wife bought me a Vietnam veteran cap. I didn't want to seem unappreciative, so I wore it out to the range once just so she could see me wear it. I see so much of the veteran stuff worn everywhere I don't pay much attention anymore. Whatever anyone else chooses to wear or not wear, I don't care. Sure are a lot of former SEAL/Special Ops/Delta/Ninjas around though from the looks of things. I must have been one of the few guys to serve in RVN who was not some kind of Special Ops "warrior" with a carry any weapon "get out of jail free" card

 

[John Fugate]

I don't have a problem with civilians wearing parts of military uniforms such as fatigues, caps, bomber jackets, combat boots, etc. However, I draw the line when someone wears a complete uniform and tries to pass himself off as a member of the military or a veteran.

What about Halloween ? Give em a one day pass, and caramel apple. ??? What do you say ??

J.F.

 

[the ringo kid]

No, I believe he's referring to the MA-1 green nylon flight jackets.

Tim

Muchos gracias, and dang, at the same time. I no longer know anyone serving on either ship, so cant ask if they can still get them on board.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Strictly speaking , anyone who is not on Active Duty is a civilian. I often wear Swedish or Swiss Army items, the coats are made from a good grade of wool and keep the chill out-so do the hats. Met a fellow wearing a current issue item-his brother is currently serving. I once met a young women wearing dogtags-her boyfriend was in the Air Force.

 

[GKC]

I had something funny happen at the vet's office (dog doctor, not veteran) the other day. I had taken my wife's little chihuahua in for an allergy shot. Every time I go in, there seem to be several really large dogs in the waiting room, and even though my wife's chihuahua weighs all of 4 pounds soaking wet, he thinks he's bigger than any dog in the room, so I always keep him in my arms, rather than let him down on the floor. I don't want him to hurt some of the other dogs.

I came out of the treatment room, and paid at the counter, and as I turned to leave, I noticed a man standing by the door in full uniform (khaki.) I'd say he was in his 40s, officer, lt. commander (gold oak leaves), three rows of ribbons, and dolphins. He had a doberman on a leash, and he was glaring at me the whole time I was there, until I left. I couldn't figure out his deal, and thought maybe it was one of two things: since I had my usual Navy veteran ball cap on, maybe he either thought I was a fake or I should know enough to "report" to an officer (secure that noise...I'm not an enlisted man anymore, and I'm too old to care about dancing to anyone's tune) or he thought it was a sacrilege for a Navy man to be carrying a chihuahua (I have news for him...if I'd turned my wife's dog loose, it would have made mincemeat out of his ankles!) Either way, since he was giving me the stink eye, and since I didn't want to start something he couldn't finish, I just went on my way.

 

[the ringo kid]

I had something funny happen at the vet's office (dog doctor, not veteran) the other day. I had taken my wife's little chihuahua in for an allergy shot. Every time I go in, there seem to be several really large dogs in the waiting room, and even though my wife's chihuahua weighs all of 4 pounds soaking wet, he thinks he's bigger than any dog in the room, so I always keep him in my arms, rather than let him down on the floor. I don't want him to hurt some of the other dogs.

I came out of the treatment room, and paid at the counter, and as I turned to leave, I noticed a man standing by the door in full uniform (khaki.) I'd say he was in his 40s, officer, lt. commander (gold oak leaves), three rows of ribbons, and dolphins. He had a doberman on a leash, and he was glaring at me the whole time I was there, until I left. I couldn't figure out his deal, and thought maybe it was one of two things: since I had my usual Navy veteran ball cap on, maybe he either thought I was a fake or I should know enough to "report" to an officer (secure that noise...I'm not an enlisted man anymore, and I'm too old to care about dancing to anyone's tune) or he thought it was a sacrilege for a Navy man to be carrying a chihuahua (I have news for him...if I'd turned my wife's dog loose, it would have made mincemeat out of his ankles!) Either way, since he was giving me the stink eye, and since I didn't want to start something he couldn't finish, I just went on my way.

Those tiny dogs are bullies-or so both of the ones my neighbor has. One day, I was sweeping our Shasta's hair out the front door-Shasta waited near the door-inside-when-neighbors teeney-tiney black Chihuahua decided to stroll inside my apt. That's was near a fatal mistake I dont thing that tiny dog will make again? unless its stupid. Anyway, Shasta cornered the panic-stricken tiny dog near my back door. That dog tried going to and fro in an attempt of escape. Wrong, I had to go in and rescue dog-shivering like it was sitting on an Iceberg. After I took it to safety, it ran to neighbors porch. I went back inside and Shasta had the gall-to fey at me because I had dog's scent on my hands and I did after-all-attempt to pet her just to see if she'd sniff?

BTW, the other tiny dog learned its lesson to never cross over into Shasta's territory long ago.

 

[GKC]

Those tiny dogs are bullies-or so both of the ones my neighbor has.

Chihuahuas are notorious for two things: they are one person dogs, and don't tolerate most other people well, if at all; second, they have no sense of size, in that they are fearless and will attack a dog many times their own size. (Some say fearless, some say stupid...maybe both.) My wife's chihuahuas have been "tolerant" of me, although they usually bark at me when I come in the room...but since I feed them and take them outside, when my wife can't, they don't give me too much grief. They won't let anyone else get close to them (well, she only has the one now...she's almost always had two at a time.) Her older one died a fw months back, and since we are getting ready to move, she isn't going to get another one just yet.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I don't have a problem with it.

You aren't trying to misrepresent anything and not asking for freebies. Ball caps with a military patch aren't uniforms, even though many who belong to those units/ships/squadrons wear them. I see them more as civilian attire.

The guy that wears a uniform with campaign ribbons is the one that needs his *** kicked.

 

[AJ]

Not so much with folks wearing military stuff, unless they are trying to pass themselves off as a vet. Just hate Wannabees!

 

[Jessie]

It doesn't bother me. As long as it's not to pretend.
It's funny, I haven't worn any of mine for two or three decades ( maybe because they won't fit!), but I'm always wearing an Army ball cap from Iraq that my nephew gave me and Air Force hats and t shirts my best friend gave me.
The hats just wear well and any T shirt with an F-16 on it is going to be worn by me!