Posted on Mar 6, 2015
Do you often wear things in public to signify your military service/affiliation?
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I often wear shirts, baseball hats, my Marine cover, etc., to let others know of my service. I do this to meet other Marines, more so than being recognized by civilians.
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Posted >1 y ago
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I spoke with a retired vet recently who spoke about the importance of having something, anything, on our person at all times in public to signify our service. Subtle is fine. He felt it was a way to know, immediately, without a doubt, that if shit went down, if you needed help, a fellow veteran would be a trust-worthy person to make contact with. Not only that, but also someone to buy a beer for, strike up a quick conversation, or simply nod your head in silent appreciation.
It made sense to me.
I know that when I'm out in public, I am very aware of people who look military. I absolutely look for tell-tale signs, including service 'bling'. It is a comfort knowing that I am not alone in this world. My brothers and sisters are out there.
I know it sounds corny at times, but that's ok. I'll put it out "there" anyway.
It made sense to me.
I know that when I'm out in public, I am very aware of people who look military. I absolutely look for tell-tale signs, including service 'bling'. It is a comfort knowing that I am not alone in this world. My brothers and sisters are out there.
I know it sounds corny at times, but that's ok. I'll put it out "there" anyway.
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Col Jonathan Brazee
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 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. :)
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Col Jonathan Brazee
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.
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.
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SPC Randy Torgerson
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.
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I rarely wear items that identify me as military when I am not on duty. Mainly because I feel uncomfortable with the praise that our non-military population continue to shower upon us. I think it is great that our military members are receiving these thanks, however, I prefer to serve my country without the need for constant accolades. It is for this reason, and not that I am not proud, that I do not wear items that identify me as military.
A lesser reason that I don't wear these items is the growing terrorist threat that is always around us.
A lesser reason that I don't wear these items is the growing terrorist threat that is always around us.
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Suspended Profile
I stopped the day I had to put a guy on park for disrespect. It was shortly after I started my break in service following Vietnam. I was a failure to adapt to civilian life.
SPC John Hopper
I have found that wearing a hat or shirt often times sparks up conversations with young people who are genially curious about the military. If this gets a spark going that leads them to serve then it was meant to be.
It has also led to a few (minor) confrontations , but even a few of these ended with an honest conversation and some info shared.
It has also led to a few (minor) confrontations , but even a few of these ended with an honest conversation and some info shared.
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Col Jonathan Brazee
As I posted in the other thread, I wear my ballcap. I don't wear it for the civilians. I wear it to connect with others who have served. I give a respectful nod to the Navy guys with their ship ballcaps or the old soldiers with their Vietnam and WOT ball caps, and I'll share a chat with the soldiers, airmen, and Guardians, but anyone wearing with a Marine identifier gets a "Semper fi, brother," or "Semper fi, sister."
Five years ago, an elderly man with a WWII ballcap was behind me in line at a Dickies. I told the cashier to charge his lunch to me. After, a young cook, who was African American, asked me why I did that. I said the old gent, who was also African American, was part of the Greatest Generation. The young man said, "Blacks fought in WWII?" I said yes.
The young man brought the tray to the soldier and then sat with him for the entire time I was eating my own lunch, asking about his history.
That interaction and lesson that young man learned never would have happened without that ballcap.
Five years ago, an elderly man with a WWII ballcap was behind me in line at a Dickies. I told the cashier to charge his lunch to me. After, a young cook, who was African American, asked me why I did that. I said the old gent, who was also African American, was part of the Greatest Generation. The young man said, "Blacks fought in WWII?" I said yes.
The young man brought the tray to the soldier and then sat with him for the entire time I was eating my own lunch, asking about his history.
That interaction and lesson that young man learned never would have happened without that ballcap.
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PO1 Helena Janice Ritz
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.
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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.
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