What I couldnt say in title is--what I mean is--ive got a few pieces of headgear(ball caps) with Navy and other stuff on it--which were given to me by vets. I dont go around faking service to others and when they start to thank me--I tell them I never served BUT, a veteran did give me this item.

The other two caps I were on occasion--is a U.S.S. George Washington blue ball cap-which from what ive been told--ONLY this type can be purchased on the ship itself. It has the name of the ship and a cameo-like circular patch on it with Washington's image. The other one I have is the U.S.S. Abe Lincoln ball cap--same set up as the George Washington cap.

I do not accept them buying anything for me--unless they know my truth and if they still wish to buy me something.

A recent incident. I went into a local diner called: Prices Chef-located at 6 Points here in town. I went in to buy a breakfast roll-for a bus driver I kinda take care of. The rolls werent exactly finished and I was told it would be a few minutes-so I went to the lavatory. When I came out-someone had paid it for me-but I had no clue who they were? I felt as low as a shoes heel-because I couldnt explain to those who paid. It was roughly $4.00 for the roll as its a huge roll. Anyway, I told the owner to please put a $5 that id just given to her--to put it on some persons tab.

The blue ball cap I was wearing is one a WWII German vet ga to me when I was touring his "old boat" which was originally known as U - 2540--but changed years later to the Wilhelm Bauer for service in the Bundesmarine.

I thought your question was going to be more along the lines of how do I feel when civilians wear military garb, bits of uniforms, shirts, jackets, and the like, with insignia on it.

In that case...well, it would depend. If it were a son wearing his Father's field jacket or shirt/blouse, that is fine. If it's just some guy wearing a random piece of uniform, with rank and other insignia on it...I'm not so keen on it. Civilians wearing field jackets and such surplus clothing, without any insignia, that seems fine also.

I suppose the biggest thing for me would be, if the civilian in question is either, A) wearing the piece of uniform in some less-than-respectful manner (again, I wouldn't feel so bad if it was unadorned with any real military insignia...as say, just a surplus field jacket), or B) trying to use the uniform to suggest or imply that they had served...then yeah, I would likely have a problem with that!

However, what you described, simply wearing a hat that displays a particular branch of service, or a certain naval vessel...you can't be held responsible for what other people assume. You sound as though you're going out of your way to inform them of the truth of the situation. I don't think you should feel at all badly because you're wearing a hat that some vet friend gave to you, and others are making assumptions.

So, personally...I see nothing at all wrong with anything you are doing or have done. Wear your caps, and enjoy them! Tell your veteran friend(s) that I thank them for their service!

Tim

Ringo, I see so many of these veteran's hats that people wear that I've gotten to the point of not paying attention to them. I don't own but one hat of that nature and I only wear it on special occasions. It is a ball cap type that was presented to me by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three's CPO Association when I was the Operations Chief for the Western Pacific during 2003 War in Iraq and was on an inspection tour of all Navy/Marine construction in the Pacific AO. I've only worn that cover maybe three times. I have a cammo utility cover that I wear to the Ft. Bliss Rod & Gun Club when I go shooting just so the Doggies don't confuse me with the Army types. I have a number of friends that have combat scars that never wear a vet hat and the other day, a vet who was a Viet Nam era vet apologized for wearing a Viet Nam Veteran hat that his family had given him. None of that stuff bothers me unless some dude is running off at the mouth about his phony heroics. I have enough buddies with battle scars that the fakes can get under my skin pretty quick.

As long as somebody doesn't pretend to be something he's not or never was, I couldn't care less.

When I can find it, I wear my Austrian Army M43 cap. I never stood in the chow line with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Over the years, occasionally when I've paid for something with my USAA Visa card I've been thanked for my service. I'll say nah... I had nothing to do with selecting my father.

As long as folks aren't trying to pass themselves off as vets I don't have a problem with it.

Carl, folks can wear military garb and it bothers me not.

I have more dire issues to fret over such as old people smoking while on oxygen, fast food workers unable to make change and people holding up express lanes.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I wear many base ball caps of ships I've served on.
Plus a cap that has US Navy Retired MCPO with a small CMC badge and
small Surface Warfare breast Insignia pin on.
When someone wants to give me thanks or a discount I just say anyone can buy a hat....
Wanted the grandson to wear one of my hats, but he would't do it.
He was a SN in the Navy for only a a year and a half.
As he said once, he didn't know what a big deal a Master Chief was till he joined..... LOL!
Tried to tell him that before he joined.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Couldn't care less what other people wear. I've got an old Cleveland Indians sweat shirt somewhere, doesn't make me a ball player.

When I was a boy I loved and wore military stuff, long before I was old enough to serve.

Sure miss the old army navy stores, they sure had lots of neat stuff in the 60's/70's.

With all the weirdness going on in the world today, someone wearing military stuff is the least of my concerns. They can dress up like George Patton for all I care.

In my view, you wear such things for two reasons. Because you served or you honor those who did.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Posted this before..................

about a year and a half ago I needed a new ball cap.....I'm not into local sports team logo stuff ..... looked on Amazon and found a ball cap with Velcro patches front and back....... found/directed to "patches"....found one with the Pa.state seal, the American flag and another where you could do "your name".....

made up two hats..... US flag and name on one; and Pa state seal and name on another...........

no unit, branch or other "military" designation.......over the past year ...I've gotten all sorts of "weird" responses...... thanked for my service, asked if I was National Guard......one guy asked me if I was ; State Police? FBI? Homeland Security?........ just kept saying "NO", just here to buy a 6-pack to go (was on my way to the cabin)


...............bothered me at first ..... later decided I liked the hats... and the folks with questions were idiots !!!...... OK just badly uninformed.

I would only have a problem with it if someone mistook it for your actual service and you didn't correct them on it. Then it becomes misrepresentation. Other than that, I have no problem with the way you handle it.
When I wear my plain Navy or my Korean ball cap and someone says "Thank you for your service" or "let me pay for your whatever", my reply usually is "If you want to thank me, vote, that's the freedom we fought for". Just me.

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Dick

And in some cases, cheap, heavy duty work clothes.

Many people around here wear ballcaps from ships and subs built at the local yard in Newport News.

Clothing is just clothing, it takes more than cloth on the outside to be a uniform

Do you mean wearing a military jacket like this?

Attached Images

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Nobodies ever complained about me wearing civilian clothes, so I guess I've got no complaint is civilians want to wear military garb.

If you aren’t military or a veteran then wearing an article of military clothing will not make you one. It’s like wearing a Stetson or a pair of western boots will not make you a cowboy if you’re not one. People can wear whatever they want so long as they don’t lie to me about who they are.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Someone wearing a ball cap does not bother me. I wear one of my Coast Guard ball caps all the time. Since very few people have any idea who and what the Coast Guard is, I have no problems with people wanting to pay for something for me. It is just a sign to other kneedeeps.
What bothers me is the folks I see running around the gun shows with their vet hats and parts of their old fatigues and a national defense medal on their jacket. The hat is enough.
My $.02 Larry

When I was L.E.O. I made it a point to NOT wear anything off duty that would ID me as a "Cop". Also I never wear anything that ID me as a "Vet". However I always thank anyone who wears a "Vet" cap for their service.
Most of these "Old Vets" still have a strong hand sake, just ask my arthritic hands.

Yep, it pained me greatly when my old man "surrendered" his reversible nylon flight jacket after 22 years in the USAF. He was an IP in the C-130, and flew the MC-130E during his tour in Vietnam, I would love to have that jacket today.

Have I told you that there was an ANG squadron on LRAFB that flew the 101s, beautiful airplanes that were likely my favorite century fighters.

but I'll always be an "Air Force Brat".

my Dad's been gone 14 years this fall, I sure have missed that guy.

Well, a while back my grandson didn't want to keep wearing his Thomas the train hat, so he gave it to me to hold. So I kind of put it on my haid. It didn't fit, but there it was. No problem, but my wife took a picture and its on my facebook page. You mean some overly sensitive types will mistake me for an engineer and kick my tail?

OK.

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Dick Burg

The MA-1's are still available.

I support lots of causes. I am grateful for Americans honoring our military. Imitation is the best form of flattery; however, when wearing military paraphernalia it can cause embarrassing situations if you never served in them. I served for 27 years and have been involved with various agencies and forces but I do not choose to wear paraphernalia that I did not earn. It is my choice and my character... which is a personal matter. Thanks for the question... most would not even ask. It is a matter of respect. Good luck.

This is a complex question, to which the answer is "it depends."

I wear a Navy Veteran ball cap. I am a Navy veteran, but it is not and never was Navy issue...so it is civilian gear, in a way. I've been thanked a number of times for my service while wearing it, and one occasion, a man asked me if I could prove it. I said yes, but he never asked me how or to do it, he just thanked me. (I have one of my dog tags on my key ring, which could be faked...and I don't carry a copy of my DD-214, which I guess could also be faked.) Would I have an issue with someone who wasn't a veteran wearing a veteran ball cap? I guess I would...if I knew what their motivation was. Since I don't, unless I ask, which I won't, I don't guess I mind that much. If I know for a fact someone is trying to pass themselves off as something they are not in order to gain something, then I'd call them on it.

What I do have a problem with is some civilian wearing military gear (or even pseudo-military gear) as an act of protest. I remember seeing John Lennon wearing a army-style shirt...at that time, surplus military gear was a sort of fashion statement, ironically usually by those who were against the war, of which he was a vocal critic (there was plenty he could have stayed in England to gripe about, if he chose.) If a veteran wants to speak against war, then he or she has earned that right. A civilian can express an opinion, but not posing as a veteran.

Honestly, I've never thought about it. Just wearing stuff isn't an issue for me. Trying to pretend you were in the military, when you weren't, is just wrong.

Ball caps with insignia? Meh, not an issue at all.

I think you did right by paying it forward ringo.

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Freedom isn't free.

When I first started wintering in Arizona, I bought a few Arizona State University T shirts at the flea market. (They were good quality and cheap...,) After I started wearing them, I had people asking me about the campus, when I had gone there, sports teams etc.

I've had similar responses to my New England Patriots shirts, talking about games I haven't seen or players I don't know. (I'm a fan, just not a very good one...,)

I was going to buy a couple of hats at the local Army/Navy surplus, but didn't because I was afraid I would wind up in your situation.

It's just people being friendly or supportive of your men and women in uniform, but you're going to encounter this again and it obviously makes you uncomfortable.

Not to suggest anything, but...,

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.

I'm of Scottish heritage......... OK I'm cheap.........

LOL ..... reminded me.....we have a TJ Max store about 4 miles from home next to the Grocery store.....I've made it a habit of stopping in as it's named brand stuff at 1/2 price or less.......if I see something I like at a price I like great .....if not I'm out 5 min of my life..........anyway

On two occasions I've scored "Under Armor"labeled "Tactical gear" ; ya I didn't know they made it either..........5 cold weather base layers in "army brown".... $10 each and 4 Military style " half zip "Combat shirts" in army green.......$15 each......

I think both were marketing SNAFUs as they look "Military", good UA quality..... but neither are flame proof and the velcro patches on the sleeves are vertical not horizonal........ the shirts have the UA logo between the shoulder blades/base layer on the bottom hem...

and only about 20 cents on the dollar vs other UA gear. Hard to pass up!

I avoid wearing the shirts with my ball caps in post #12.......


Just looked on Amazon......12,500 items listed under "Military Surplus"

As long as it's generic, no worries.

It's fine.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

For a long time now I see east block camo and surplus clothing at flea markets and gun shows. Does that mean anyone wearing it is a commie?

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Dick Burg

A simple question with a somewhat complex answer. Personally, if I see an older adult and his ball cap says: USS MIDWAY, I automatically assume he served on the MIDWAY. I saw a man wearing a 8th Air Force, Bomb Wing cap and when I asked him what Wing he served with he told me his story. He was a crewman on a B-17, shot down and was a captured POW. Maybe it's just me, but I always assume the wearing of any military ball cap (not clothing) is proudly displaying his/her time in military service. My father-in-law wore his WWll Purple Heart cap proudly. He earned that right. It's more than just a wrinkled dirty sweaty ball cap, it's that civilian wearers past symbol of pride, dedication and service.

Having said all that, during a vacation to Florida I visited the Navy SEAL museum. I bought a SEAL cap for my young son. It's a great looking cap, but no way would I have worn that cap. I did not want anyone thinking I was a SEAL because I did not earn such an honor.

All I'm saying is I believe when a civilian see's someone wearing a military ball cap representing a branch of service they automatically assume the wearer is prior military. Does it make it wrong for a person who has not served to wear such an identifiable ball cap, of course not. As stated by other members, there all many other reasons to wear such a cap. If honest and legit, then wear it proudly. Of course nowadays, you might have to defend wearing anything military.

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.

Been following this thread with interest...wasn't sure what a "Navy seal hat" was.........

Looking a Amazon again...... "Navy Seal hat" 2,100 logo-ed items......who buys this stuff........ IIRC there are only about <2000 Seals at any given time....

IMHO many of the items shown are "a bridge to far"!

I'm a Viet Nam era vet (Non-combat). Except for the "mall ninjas" and Bundy-types (who I laugh at==who needs dark green camo in the snow?), it doesn't bother me. I'm old and fat but some of these guys in their 20's couldn't walk a mile in ANYBODY'S shoes! I wear camo for yard work, painting, etc. since I don't hunt much any more.

Whatever, if that's what they need, so be it. As long as they don't defraud anyone.

I had a similar situation.

I wear t-shirts every day, but I usually wear a button down over it. However, while at a training class, I was just wearing my t-shirt.

I have a few that have some fun sayings on them and some are veteran related. These are made by a company called "Ranger Up". Of course, they have the brand name on the shirt as well. At the class guys kept asking me when I was a Ranger. Confused, I responded that I had never been a Ranger. It wasn't until late in the day I realized that they were confusing the brand name with me saying I was a Ranger. I had to go back to several people and explain. I didn't want them to think I was trying to be something I wasn't.

I'm a vet, but not a Ranger.

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Freedom isn't free.

I'll go along with the as long as they're not trying to be something they aren't group. What does bug me is the guys who show up at the range or at a gun show in full tacticool dress who obviously never served. But then, I just write them off as idiots and stay away.

When I was young, western boots and hats were common wear for me. Perfectly normal where I come from. But when I started traveling around to other places, especially during my Army days, folks kept asking if I was a cowboy. I'd say "Nope! I'm from Tennessee and come from a long line of farmers."
By the time I reached my 30s, I was getting tired of getting accused of being a cowboy. These days a pair of sneakers and a baseball cap are much more common for me. Although I do still wear the boots when I feel the need to dress up a bit. Never could stand leather shoes.

BTW: Do you know why cowboys are wearing sneakers these days? They got tired of people thinking they were truck drivers.

My dad served in the USAF in the late 70's early 80's. He was between conflicts and always says that he was blessed that's how it happened.

His father was in the US Army during WWII. I don't know much about his service. I know his brother was killed during D-Day, I think it was on Utah beach. Because his brother was KIA, he was brought back to the states and did something with supplies. As a kid, I remember finding a rifle, and a belt and leather holster, with a gun in it. I didn't look inside the holster but know there was a pistol in it. It was stamped U.S. on the outside holster, and I believe was his from his time in service.
The only thing I ever remember him saying about his service was while we were at a air musuem in the late 90's. We were walking past a display case of WWII memorabilia. He stopped at the case and looked down at a tommy gun. In a soft broken voice he said, "If I had nickle for ever one of those I put in a tank.." I asked him something about it, trying to get him to talk and he didn't reply. When I looked up at him, I could tell he was trying to hold back the tears building in his eyes. His flag is folded and hung in my fathers house.

My other Grandfather served in the US Navy, Pacific theater during WWII as a radiocorpsman on the USS Breton, at some point he was in Japan, but I don't know many details. He stayed in contact with some of his shipmates till he passed in 2012. As a matter of fact, he and one of his best friends married sisters, now my grand mother and great aunt.

USS Breton (CVE-23 - Wikipedia)

Out of respect for my family members, and other good friends of mine who have served, I don't wear any military stuff. The closest thing I have is a digital camo Florida State hat, given to me as a gift. Proceeds of the sale go to one of the veteran groups on campus.
On second thought, I do have an all black Army field jacket, with the button in liner. I bought it from a military surplus store before I moved away to college. It has absolutely no patches or markings. You'd be hard pressed to spot it as a military anything unless you served. Very comfortable, and very well made.

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

Army green and Navy blue are my two favorite colors in Carhartt's
pocket T shirts. But it has nothing to do with military. Just that I
like the colors. I did like Duluth and Berne for the extra length, but
found that Carhartt has the length and wears much longer than the
other two.

I have a bunch of baseball caps with various patches, logos, badges,
etc. from military units, gov't agencies, etc. but I don't wear them.
They just hang on a hat rack in my office.

Nothing about my appearance would lead anyone to think I had anything
to do with military (except maybe my haircut). I like it high and tight.

When I see someone wearing military stuff I thank them for their
service and then ask where they served. It's usually easy to flush
out the pretenders.

The Air Force gave us 3 "career choices". I chose airial gunnery first,
radio operator 2nd (I wanted flying status). Didn't know what to pick
for third. The guy asked can you type. I said I had typing in high
school. He said pick that, you never get your third choice anyway.

So I did. Sure enough I got sent to Warren AFB for basic clerical and
became a Remington Ranger. "We never retreat. We just backspace."
Well, I was really bummed out. Then I was a "casual" for what seemed
like an eternity. Found out I was on hold pending a security clearance.
Then I went to Scott AFB for cryptography and things got a little more
interesting.

After school they gave me another 3 choices. Far East first, and Europe
second. Couldn't choose a 3rd. The guy said pick Alaska, you never get
your 3rd choice anyway. (I'm a slow learner, so I did. Alaska was
not a state at that time and considered overseas by the military).
You guessed it. Got the third choice again.

This is probably more than you every wanted to know, so I will just
close by saying I have heard you should never volunteer for anything.
I say don't make a third choice for anything.

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In Omnia Paratus

Pretty much the same thing happened to me. I wanted to get into the Sea Bees, and qualified for two jobs.

Yep, you guessed it - pick this for third - you never get your third choice. Lying *** - there was a great demand for operations types, and a two (or more) year backlog for Sea Bees.

Off to radar school I went.

Many organizations sell hats and stuff to raise funds. The Iowa battleship, the USS Hornet, the Red Tails, the CAF and on and on. The USS Hornet cap is a great one.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I recently let my GrandKids buy me a hat at the war museum in Branson. It was the "All Gave Some" hat. They had fun buying some pins for it, my rank, my rating, a duty pin, "PBR boats" and a pin that says "NAVY". My only stipulation was the hat had to be "Made in America". Out of a hundred or so, they found two. (The other one said "Dysfunctional Veteran; Leave me alone". Mom said no.)

I've worn it a few times, but I dis-like the attention it generates. It now rides on the dashboard of the truck where the kids can see it.

I still have an original ships cap from the TARAWA (LHA-1) commissioning, and one from the reunion group of the TARAWA (CV-40). They're put up.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I have boxes of hats from units I was in. Haven't had 'em out of the boxes in more than 20 years. I wear my USAF Retired hat pin on my ball cap (not military related), but it's so small and hard to read nobody knows what it is. I am bust-my-buttons proud of my service, but I don't need (or want) to be thanked or even acknowledged for it. My banker retired last spring; I don't thank him for his lifelong service when I see him.

I'm happy, though, that America has come to the point where Americans want to thank Vets for their service. My first years in the 'Force were spent at an Army post right outside our nation's capital, and the commanding general's orders were that we couldn't wear our uniforms off post for fear of being beaten, or worse.

When I see a Vet wearing his (never see gals with military caps) Vietnam, ship, or other military pride caps I always give 'em a nod, and they seem to know.

One of the shops I frequent is owned by a friend, a Vietnam vet (Army). Last time I was in, there was an old Navy guy in there, too, so naturally we each got in a few inter-service digs. But the shop keeper was telling us about one of his customers who comes in wearing "Seal" gear and telling stories about his "Seal" experiences. I've known a fair number of Seals. I can't recall one who told tales without being asked, and even then the stories were pretty vanilla because, as one of the guys told me, most people can't relate. The shop keeper is pretty sure the guy is as phony as his gear. I've got nothin' for it!

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I'm with Ozark Marine....
I have issues with people wearing the EGA "Eagle Globe & Anchor"
That did not earn it..

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US Army 71-73 USMC 75-78

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.

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wanna do right-- not right now

Hi Tim and many thanks. Your assumption is one I also thought about but didnt because of the other-being used for many purposes. The only other gear I ever had-non German military--was things I used when working-like a medics pouch to carry a voice operated taperecorder in it--ammo pouches for ear phones etc. But the thing on the ball caps did have me wondering. Usually, when a vet/friend of mine passes St. Peters gate--I try to find something advertising the unit he served in--cap pins etc--and will wear those. Im currently looking for a Huey chopper pin-as my friend Frank--passed away last year and the pin represents the unit he served in in Vietnam.

I don't have a problem with someone who never served wearing surplus clothes as long as they don't act like they're Audie Murphy.

I have a cap with the Marine Corps emblem on it that was gave to me by one of my grand kids who is a Marine sergeant. It sits on my hat rack as I wouldn't feel right about wearing it.

Thank you and same here. My former roommate-Sarge Bill, had been in both 1st and 3rd battalions 7th Cavalry-so I try honoring his memory--and he WAS a chracter to boot--)) by wearing a Garry Owen pin on one of my caps. Id like to also find something to wear in Ron J's memory as well. He passed away about 2 years ago? was a good standing member here. He was in ASA if I recall?