Do you feel strange walking outside without a cover on while wearing civilian clothes?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 11:46:29 -0400

Every time I'm in civies and go walking outside, I immediately freak out because I can't find my cover.

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made May 9 at 2014 12:06 PM

SSG Robin Rushlo — Fri, 09 May 2014 12:06:48 -0400

Yes even now that I am tired oh I mean retired (since 97) I still wear a cap or Hat all the time. Otherwise my head feels naked.

Response by SPC Brendan Kearns made May 11 at 2014 4:45 PM

SPC Brendan Kearns — Sun, 11 May 2014 16:45:43 -0400

not at all sir but i do hate wearing hats to begin with

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made May 12 at 2014 1:56 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Mon, 12 May 2014 13:56:19 -0400

Often. I have been retired since 2008, so I have left the uniform behind. But I was raised in Oklahoma and live in Kansas, so most of the time I have some kind of headwear on anyway.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 12 at 2014 2:31 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 12 May 2014 14:31:03 -0400

yes.. sort of like forgetting a watch or wallet!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 12 at 2014 2:36 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 12 May 2014 14:36:53 -0400

While not in uniform? No.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 3:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 15:36:05 -0400

No, but I still take off my hat if I walk indoors.

On one of my first trips to New Orleans, I ducked into this little hole in the wall bar to get some water and catch some air conditioning (as it was only 2000 degrees that summer), and removed my ballcap as I crossed the threshold.

The biggest, ugliest, meanest, drunkest biker I had ever seen pointed to me and said “You! Come here!” My fire team (just buddies I was in NO with) waited outside to see what was going to happen (thanks for the backup, guys). And all I could think was this is where I get stomped.

As soon as I get within arm’s reach, he grabbed me and hugged me, turned to the girl at the bar, and said “This guy is a MARINE!”

Actually, it was Air Force. The girl said “How can you tell?”

“Because he took off his hat when he came inside.” After a bear hug, he stood at the entrance of the bar and screamed down the road “GO AIR FORCE!”

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Jul 8 at 2014 12:46 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:46:00 -0400

No, and seeing how I hate hats, if i ever get to that point it is time to get out of the service.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 14 at 2014 1:56 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:56:07 -0400

Used to. Not any more. ; )~

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 4:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:09:17 -0400

Yep. Constantly.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2014 11:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:30:34 -0400

often times i wear a hat just because it makes me feel a little more comfortable since i live in colorado a hoodie also is a nice replacement i understand exactly where you're coming from

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 12:58 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:58:58 -0400

I don't, but every time I walk into a building or under cover, I always remove my cover. I used to work on a Navy base and would always see Navy wear their cover indoors. Perhaps they were never taught to remove their cover indoors. It's habit for me, and I've been out for many years.

Response by SPC Douglas Fuller made Nov 18 at 2015 5:44 AM

SPC Douglas Fuller — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 05:44:38 -0500

sir its actually the reason why i wear a hat so that i dont feel wierd without one

Response by MSgt Shawn Doyle made Nov 18 at 2015 10:26 AM

MSgt Shawn Doyle — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:26:44 -0500

I don’t miss it at all, but I always cover when I'm out playing golf. On the other hand, one of my biggest pet peeves is seeing someone wearing a hot indoors, especially while in a restaurant and sitting at a table for a meal. I consider it very distasteful and inappropriate; hats are intended for cover and unless you believe the roof is going to come down crashing on your head… Take the damn hat off!!! Thank you.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 11:38 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 11:38:25 -0500

I retired last year after 35 years, took me forever to realize I didn't need a cover everywhere I went. Starting a government job 30 November where I will be back on the waterfront, going on/off ships. will take some time to realize I can't salute the ensign when coming aboard or leaving.

Response by PO1 Bill Adams made Nov 18 at 2015 10:06 PM

PO1 Bill Adams — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:06:52 -0500

I've been out about 25 years now. At first I went through a rebellious phase where I wouldn't even touch a hat. After a few years I bought a ship's ball cap and wear one just about everywhere and everywhen now.

Response by CPT Derial Bivens made Oct 26 at 2018 12:24 PM

CPT Derial Bivens — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 12:24:36 -0400

I've always worn a hat and it always comes off as I go indoors. So, when i joined the military that was one thing to which I didn't have to adapt.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Feb 1 at 2019 11:16 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 23:16:48 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member The only time I would wear a hat when in civvies was when it was colder because I am bald and need to keep my nugget warm.

Response by A1C John Weiss made Feb 15 at 2019 6:52 PM

A1C John Weiss — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:52:44 -0500

Me I'm bald( sun protection in the summer, keep my head warm winter) so yes I wear a cap pretty much everywhere unless i'm dressed up.

Response by SrA Derrek Cherry made Mar 13 at 2019 11:21 PM

SrA Derrek Cherry — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 23:21:48 -0400

I always feel like it's missing. If I'm wearing a ball cap I often remove it indoors and I also sometimes try to stuff into my non existent cargo pocket! Same thing when I'm wearing a t-shirt and pants I think where did my top go!

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Aug 11 at 2019 3:05 AM

CPT Daniel Cox — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 03:05:58 -0400

I have been out of the Army for more than 30 years and I still sometimes feel weird without a hat, though I refuse to wear a ball cap in most situations and my cowboy phase has long passed.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 27 at 2020 12:21 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 00:21:31 -0500

Only after a deployment

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 27 at 2020 10:37 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:37:33 -0500

After having to wear a hat or a beret for almost 28 years, I now refuse to ..lol
Other then a helmet or a sun hat when on the range teaching for hours on end in the Texas summer sun.

I must have 30 hats collected post retirement....Gifts, trinkets, memorabilia ect.....but the only time I wore one......was in my profile picture. Moto GP weekend, in the VIP pit area and posing with some kind young ladies.

Response by SPC Tamara Trammell made Apr 23 at 2021 2:08 PM

SPC Tamara Trammell — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:08:57 -0400

It takes a while to wear off, but honestly? I've been out of the Army for a few years and I'm hat shopping for the love of it. Maybe humans were meant to wear covers.

Response by SGT Alan Simmons made Sep 7 at 2022 10:36 AM

SGT Alan Simmons — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 10:36:57 -0400

Ha, I've been out for 30 years and I still do the gig line and gig line check, in addition to the cover. :) Some habits just die hard.