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

[jimmyj]

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.

 

[BillyMagg]

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.

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.

 

[rburg]

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.

 

[Hawker800]

The MA-1's are still available.

 

[SilentKnight]

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.

 

[GKC]

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.

 

[Rastoff]

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.

 

[LMWIS]

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...,

 

[federali]

It Depends

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.

 

[BAM-BAM]

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

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"

 

[Donn]

As long as it's generic, no worries.

 

[Targets Guy]

It's fine.

 

[rburg]

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?

 

[JamesArthur60]

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.

 

[Ozark Marine]

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.

 

[BAM-BAM]

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"!

 

[BearBio]

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.

 

[Rastoff]

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 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.

 

[Grayfox]

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.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

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.