Wearing Military Apparel

[MarkD]

This question was prompted by a picture I saw of a certain Presidential candidate (the one who's NOT a Veteran) wearing a USMC t-shirt.

What do you think of people who wear clothing with military emblems who weren't actually IN the military? I don't mean things like medals, ribbons, etc, but things like USMC t-shirts or caps? I've often considered getting something like that, but hesitated because I've never been in the military and don't want to give folks the impression that I was. My Dad was a Marine during WW II, and I have the highest respect for all our service men and women (although I confess a particular fondness for Uncle Sams Misguided Children).

[308Mike]

That's okay, you can also wear it to show support. I see military family members wearing clothes plastered with their favorite service on them, and they're not in the military (although a parent or in-law might be), or even if you want to show support for your neighbor.

If you support them, I see no problem wearing something like that, but I think we all know Urkel wearing something like that is being done NOT because he believes in it, it's because he's trying to get more votes.

Slimy bastard.

[Rod]

+ 1 to what Mike said. Feel free to wear it with pride.

[SeekHer]

Sorry, but wearing a t-shirt with Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines emblazoned across the front or back does not constitute military apparel...Nor is wearing BDUs without insignia...

It shows support for them and in Sheik Obama's case hoping to garner the military vote...

If you're wearing BDUs then it means you've got a good surplus store in your area and nothing more...

Now, if you add insignia, unit badges/flashes, medals and citations that you don't belong to or acquired then you're an asshole and need to have the shit kicked out of you by legitimate veterans...

The only other area where this might be bad is by wearing DEA, FBI, Police etc. apparel around a crime scene...

[Joe ex PNG]

Does this shirt count?

[mekender]

One of my father's best friends was a homicide detective for the Orange County FL Sheriff's office. I would wear Sheriff's department shirts all the time. I would have people give me discounts at restaurants every once in a while, but I would try to refuse.

I did find that people were nicer to me when I wore them though.

[Erik]

I would make one small possible exception though. If you are actually *in* military service, I'd be a bit careful of wearing apparel with another service branch on it. Especially if it happens to be an elite unit stationed at the same base...

[AZMARK]

I believe any of these would convey your support in a most convincing manner.

[tcourtplayer]

My view as a current member of the US Navy is like so many things it all comes down to tone/reasons. If you are wearing it in support of a friend/family member in the service or just to show general support for those in the military I couldn't be happier. To this day one of the things my family seems to like best for gifts from me are new shirts that say "Navy" on them so they can show their support for me.

What tends to anger me are when people that openly oppose the military, our values, our job and even our existence wear them to either mock us (Nothing like a hippie college student wearing cammo to a anti-war protest b/c it happens to be fashionable that season) or (often in the case of politicians) to fool people into believing they actually care about us while stabbing us in the back.

To answer you specific question I fully understand your hesitation and it is the fact that you take pause and think about it shows that if/when you do wear something you are doing it out of respect to those that serve. If others ask you if you have served (trust me, you will get that question from time to time if you do wear apparel) just let them know you haven't but are doing it to support those that do/support your father's decision to serve/whatever reason it is that you chose to wear it. Trust me, no one that has actually served will look down on you for wearing the apparel for those reasons. I say go for it.

PS, let your dad know that I and I'm assuming the rest of the forum thank him for his service and the freedoms he has helped provide us.

[MarkD]

tcourtplayer,
Thanks for the sentiment, but my Dad has been gone for over 20 years now.

all,
Thanks for the advice, I thought it was OK, but wanted to hear from those who'd been there and done that.