Do you often wear things in public to signify your military service/affiliation?

I wear my retired Marine ballcap almost everywhere. It's become part of who I am. I also wear either a USMC or Naval Academy t-shirt when they come up in my rotation, so maybe once every week or two. (I wear a lot of national parks shirts.)

I work out in either an Army or Space Force gym, so I always wear my USMC gym shorts. I want those young soldiers and guardians see that the old fart outlifting them is a Marine. :)

I discussed this today in the locker room at a Space Force base with another retired Marine, a retired Air Force guy, and an active duty Space Force guardian. The Air Force guy wears a SAC ballcap, but very few people even recognize it. The Space Force guy doesn't wear anything when in civilian clothes.

The other retired Marine does, and what seemed to be the common thread was that we're looking to connect with others who served. It's a way to recognize others.

After the gym, I went to a doctor's appointment, and coming out was a guy with a Marine Special Operations hoodie. He saw my ballcap, I saw his hoodie. Immediately, both of us said "Semper fi," and bumped fists. THen we had a couple of minutes of where did you serve, who did you serve with, etc. We had a connection, one that would never have occurred without the hoodie and ballcap.

Most of the time I wear a hat signifying my Veteran status. I always carry my VA id and my drivers license has Veteran written in it by the State.

So I joined the navy and became a corpman eventually I ended up with the marines, I wish they would make an item that honored both the navy and the marines but I only find one or the other I haven't seen anything that would have both when I wear navy stuff I feel a little guilty because of my time with the marines besides getting shot at , my time with the marines was the best duty's I ever had especially recon training but then I wear marine gear I feel like an outsider, the marines never treated me like an outsider but because I really didn't earn the anchor and globe I feel a bit fake anyway I am very proud of my service especially with the marines.

I've noticed that with veterans, it's mostly the enlisted people who show their service through attire. I think it may have something to do with not be recognized enough while serving or the fact that as veterans, we feel we need to show our continued support for our military by showing that we, too, served once. I wear my hats sometimes (depending on how long I'll be in sun) or a jacket have have that shows all my duty stations. I think it's great when people show their pride in service by wearing something that designates them as a veteran. However, I've also seen people who wear these things who have NOT served (like hats for a specific ship, station, or battalion). I usually ask if they are a veteran first before saying "Thank you for your service," esp. if the hat is new.

I usually wear a Special Operations Association ballcap. I have met a lot of Spec Ops guys just because of the hat. It identifies me as being one of them!

PO1 Helena Janice Ritz - I have seen lots of officers wearing ballcaps with their military affiliation on them... My son served 6 years. He was a Captain when on active duty and wears a 173rd Airborne cap... We are not looking for handouts or thanks, we are announcing our military affilliaton to others that served in the same organizations we did.

I understand the General who is still active duty. But I very much agree with Col. Brazee, I love the connections I make now. I don't care about the non-military accolades. I just like to see other veterans with a hat (most common) or something showing their military connections. The other reason I wear a Veterans hat, is to show my support for the active duty.

SO much 'Murica in one shot! CPT (Join to see)

1LT L S Don't worry. I won't tell you about all the other cool things I have from RP. It's not like they gave me an award..... my bad, they did give me an award.

eh... noooo he hates MEMEs!

I always wear a ball cap. Yes, it does identify me as a retired USN. About the only time I do not wear it, is at a formal situation that it would not be appropriate to do so.