Do my vehicle stickers send the wrong message?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:12:31 -0400

I was recently told my stickers give off a douche/a**hole vibe. I put them on there just to share my brief history with others as a fun thing to do. What say everyone? Not a big deal or do they send the wrong message?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 25 at 2018 9:52 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:52:31 -0400

The first mistake you made is giving a single shit about what people think about you based on a set of stickers... Who is the real douche in this situation? The person who innocently has stickers demonstrating pride in one's self and their accomplishments or the dipweed who is getting upset by them? There is a correct answer to this question.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2018 9:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:53:57 -0400

Sir, if they don't like your stickers then they can go pound rocks and kick dirt. Haters gonna hate.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2018 9:58 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:58:40 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Sir, who cares what others think, unless this is your significant other.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 25 at 2018 10:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:06:11 -0400

Its your stuff, to hell with them!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 25 at 2018 10:10 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:10:57 -0400

That spread will only relate to the few vs. "My stick monster just ate your honor student" stuff which a greater portion of the general population will get. For those who get it, then the option exists for an opinion which like everything else will be on a bell curve. My opinion is you chose to put a piece of your journey on the glass. Not something I'd do (E-1 to O-6). My vehicles are devoid of any MIL stuff by preference. So my Give-A-Shit-Ometer needle didn't move either way. I recommend the same for you when dealing with the edges of the bell curve. If they have a problem, they own it, not you.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 25 at 2018 10:31 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:31:10 -0400

I wouldn’t do it, 2LT Private RallyPoint Member, but that’s just me. The general consensus is to do what you please, and I don’t disagree with that either.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 26 at 2018 2:10 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:10:29 -0400

The first though that I had was "Awe, what a cute family!"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 2:20 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:20:51 -0400

Do what you want sir. I'm not a "sticker guy" myself, but to each their own I say.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 26 at 2018 6:35 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 06:35:38 -0400

Some might think you are going the wrong way!!!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 26 at 2018 11:29 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:29:17 -0400

If you're proud of your service, and they accurately reflect you. Then have at it.
I once had a security person tell me that military symbology on vehicles make us targets of extremists, which is probably the most rational case against depicting your service on your vehicle that I have heard.
ME, I see a guy who served well in two branches when I see the stickers.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 11:29 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:29:29 -0400

Michael-By even asking the question in this forum, I presume you are NOT any of the things you've been accused of being. A true "douche/a**hole" would've probably spent thirty minutes trying to defend it first.

Here's my take Brother...less is usually more.

Think about it like this; your Soldiers will know your background from your actions. They'll respect you for taking the lessons learned as an enlisted Marine and Solider and applying them as a junior officer. What you don't wanna do is try to remain "one of them"...because now you're "one of us". Beyond that...and this is just my personal opinion...a 2LT has enough of a target on his back already.

One other point...the bad guys aren't just in the sand. Probably a wise move to minimize your "military" presence off campus and when all on your own...just in case.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 26 at 2018 11:49 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:49:48 -0400

Not a big deal in my opinion. I don't put this type of information on my vehicles because of potential negative effects in some places. I generally keep my vehicles as generic as possible to avoid becoming a target of those who may not respect or like the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 12:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:22:26 -0400

I stopped putting stickers on my vehicle when I realized they mean something only to me. Look at stickers on other people’s vehicles. Do they move you, motivate you, change your opinion?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 12:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:27:37 -0400

I never understood the appeal of stickers or bumper stickers on a car - and then 14 years MI I really don't do it because it broadcasts way too much information about yourself to strangers. The only thing I have on my car is a state park permit. That's it. I haven't even had a chance to use it yet.

But it's your car do what you want. Why worry what others think?

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 29 at 2018 12:22 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:22:33 -0400

You should put a sticker of a guy sitting in a chair fishing between the Sergeant and Specialist. See is they can figure that one out.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Aug 16 at 2018 10:39 AM

MSgt Stephen Council — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 10:39:03 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Follow your heart brother! I am not hating on you for making a career decision that fits with your personal ambitions. I have advised really outstanding enlisted people to pursue both paths. One i told to go for it if he wanted to get a commission and take that path. Another I advised that he was an outstanding NCO already and that ewe need leaders like him as SNCOs. I didn't discourage either of them form either path but gave my opinion. I was invited to that young leaders retirement as a MSgt three years ago (and I retired in 2006). Never apologize for being proud of your career.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 16 at 2018 10:46 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 10:46:13 -0400

Eh, I don't see the big deal. Certainly no worse than the 15 people deep vinyl smiling stick figure families that people put on their minivans.

If, for YOU, its an issue, but you still want to signal your accomplishments, try this: Treat your truck like your uniform; you can only wear 1 rank at a time.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2019 8:03 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:03:46 -0400

The USMC and US Army emblems would be enough IMO.

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Dec 18 at 2020 7:00 PM

Sgt Jim Belanus — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 19:00:58 -0500

I wouldn't put anything on a vehicle, It just makes you a target.

Response by 1SG Joseph Dartey made Dec 18 at 2020 11:26 PM

1SG Joseph Dartey — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 23:26:22 -0500

You go for it Lieutenant!
I have 3 sticker on my vehicle pertaining to the military:
1- US Army emblem,
1 - 1SG emblem,
1 - Retired Verteran on my state issued license plate.
I also have "I stand for the Flag and Kneel for the Cross" emblem.
If someone doesn't like them, then they can KMA!

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Dec 19 at 2020 12:09 AM

MAJ Ron Peery — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:09:01 -0500

I'm sure there a people who are honestly upset by your display, just as there are folks who take exception to my NRA decal. Sometimes you just have to say what the heck and drive on.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 19 at 2020 7:44 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 19:44:26 -0500

Just demonstrates a momentary lapse in judgement by leaving the Corps, but nothing wrong

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 3 at 2022 6:32 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 18:32:08 -0400

Are the stickers in and of themselves douchey? No. Can they HEIGHTEN the douche level of someone who is already showing that proclivity? Absolutely.

I was always of the opinion that I didn't need to advertise my rank. My Soldiers knew who I was - as did my bosses. If it wasn't the folks I was working with, either I was making an on-the-spot correction, in which case rank shouldn't matter (but I always have ID card to back me up if necessary), *I* was being corrected, in which case rank didn't matter, and I would *prefer* people felt free to let me know I was jacked up, or there was no correction, and it's just two people interacting, in which case rank PROBABLY didn't matter.

So, if people see you advertising your rank, it usually means one of two things. 1) You worked hard to get where you are at, and are proud of your accomplishment. Or, 2) You have gained enough rank to make you feel important, and want everyone ELSE to recognize your accomplishment.

If you are a down to earth guy, people will assume the 1st. If you are already giving off douche vibes, people will assume the 2nd.

And people who have never met you shouldn't assume anything about you. If they do, f*(k 'em.