I know it's early, but what is everyone's opinion on civilians wearing U.S. Military uniforms for Halloween?

2015-09-15T23:25:31-04:00

You know what grinds my gears!? When civilians wear military uniforms on Halloween completely jacked up! What do I as a military service member do about that? I always want to say something and try not to get angry about it when approaching them...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 15 at 2015 11:27 PM

2015-09-15T23:27:15-04:00

I am going as myself. I am not a Halloween person.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 15 at 2015 11:38 PM

2015-09-15T23:38:37-04:00

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Sep 15 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-09-15T23:39:43-04:00

It is a free country. Civilians are free to wear whatever they want, and military members are free to gripe about it.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Sep 15 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-09-15T23:47:48-04:00

Welcome to a supposedly free society.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 11:49 PM

2015-09-15T23:49:15-04:00

It used to bother me, but then I removed the stick from my ass.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-09-15T23:54:37-04:00

I think it's innapropriate to wear a real military uniform. If a person wants to dress as a character with a military-like appearance that should be ok. I've seen a few dress up like MASH characters where it was obvious what they were depicting.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:11 AM

2015-09-16T00:11:04-04:00

I'm ok with it. It is Halloween. It may be as close as most will get to actually being cool! If you can't be the best I guess you dress like the best.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-09-16T00:15:39-04:00

It bothers me but the part that really bothers me is if they are trying to make it like they are military. If it is obviously a costume then I'd be inclined to drop it. Just like if you actually are in the service, I'd be ok with it if you were in your uniform on Halloween.

On that note, that is just my personal opinion. Idk what the ucmj says about servicemen being in uniform for Halloween. Does anyone know?

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 16 at 2015 12:52 AM

2015-09-16T00:52:59-04:00

14 and below, OK. Anyone else, absolutely not.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 16 at 2015 2:33 AM

2015-09-16T02:33:38-04:00

I think it's ok as long as they are not trying to impersonate or impress people to believe they are actually in the military. I have loaned younger guys my jungle cammies to wear for Halloween. They have the old USMC Iron on emblem on the top left pocket. They never tried to influence anyone they were an actual Marine.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 16 at 2015 2:40 AM

2015-09-16T02:40:23-04:00

If someone wants to wear cammies for Halloween I really couldn't care less. Dressing up like a soldier is pretty common I think for Halloween and a lot of people own camouflage clothing of some sort so it's a pretty easy and cheap way to dress up for the holiday. Now if someone threw on a service uniform with medals and things of that nature that they never earned such as a uniform they took from a grand parent or someone who actually did serve then I would probably get a little bit pissed off.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Sep 16 at 2015 3:33 AM

2015-09-16T03:33:31-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member It's Halloween for cryin' out loud ........ If this grinds your gears then you need to get a bit thicker skin. Just the fact that it happens on that one night might give you a hint that this is no attempt at stolen valor. It is people trying to have a good time in an easy to obtain costume. Try to take it as a compliment.

There is a big difference between a civilian dressing up for a costume party, and some idiot walking around telling everyone that they really ARE a member of the Military. Showing off, and trying to take credit for things that they never did. That is something that is wrong, and should not to be tolerated. But, unless you plan to go out and check ID cards, and jump a few teenagers, and partygoers, you might just prefer to oil those gears.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 16 at 2015 8:05 AM

2015-09-16T08:05:26-04:00

A civilian uniform need to be all jacked up then you know he or she is not a Veterans

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 16 at 2015 8:15 AM

2015-09-16T08:15:15-04:00

It's Halloween bro, claim down and breath. Have some fun. I rather them wear it all jacked up for one night rather than seeing them paraded around their town claiming to be a hero with 4 CIBs, 5 Bronze Stars (all for Valor of Course), 23 Purple Hearts, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Halloween is the one day we get each year to be anything you want. To break out of the normalize that we surround ourselves with. So if a civilian wants to rock some ACUs and pretend to be Gi Joe for one night as a fun way to blow off some steam, then let them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 8:24 AM

2015-09-16T08:24:02-04:00

It doesn't bother me, especially when it's obvious that it is a costume and not a serious attempt to imitate a military servicemember ("stolen valor"). It's especially cute when kids do it. As a kid, I used to love putting on one of my uncle's old uniforms from when he was in the National Guard and run around, after all.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 8:27 AM

2015-09-16T08:27:50-04:00

It doesn't bother me a bit, as I see kids doing it as well, but you can't really get mad at them either. :)

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Sep 16 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-09-16T08:33:43-04:00

I get that there are a lot of things that irritate vets about the civilian world and civilians in general... I get it. But I for one, first and foremost think that veterans have to get over a lot of things that irritate them. Just because we served in a hostile environment, doesn't give us the right to "create" new rules in the civilian world. We're the ones that need to learn to assimilate rather than go off on tangents about things that nobody except for us, really care about. We may be on the outside looking in at many of these things, but that's not our place to make everything known to everyone.

If we focus on what is important rather than little nit-picky issues that have absolute zero impact on our lives, we can be 10x more successful than your average civilian... Unfortunately often times we get distracted by the minutiae of it all... If it bothers anyone, suck it up, get some Motrin, drink some water, take a knee....

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 16 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-09-16T11:12:31-04:00

Makes no difference to me either way.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Sep 16 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-09-16T12:34:35-04:00

First glad to see a SPC asking questions, you are the future of the military. Reference your question our US Constitution gives the civilians that right, up hold those rights and leave the civilians alone, remember that your love ones are civilians too.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 16 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-09-16T12:45:19-04:00

I can't get mad anymore being that every time there's a hollyweird war movie, you just sit there and pick out everything wrong with the uniform and gear, yet when the credits roll, you see the names of "military advisors" and they're usually senior ranking troops.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-09-16T12:56:36-04:00

Doesn't bother me even a little bit. At least they're wearing it as a costume. I only have a problem with the ones who wear it to convince people they are in the military, usually for some kind of monetary gain.

Lighten up, Francis.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 16 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-09-16T13:01:52-04:00

It's an age old custom.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Sep 16 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-09-16T13:11:26-04:00

As long as they aren't wearing a "proper uniform" and don't have a name and rank on it, it doesn't bother me.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Sep 16 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-09-16T13:22:21-04:00

Been there done that, but mine looks more Call of Duty-ish.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-09-16T19:15:26-04:00

If it is CLEARLY an imporper uniform, I honestly dont mind it. Like, no tapes and patches, fine. But if they deck it out with shit that they havent earned or been a part of, it is actually illegal, with penalties up to 5 years federal imprisonment, or a $50,000 fine, according to a few MPs and a JAG attorney that I spoke with on the matter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-09-16T19:19:45-04:00

If it's kids, no problem. If it's an obviously fake uniform, no problem. If it's a real uniform, and it was earned, and everything on it was earned, again, no problem. If it's something that's obviously WAY OVER THE TOP of ridiculous, then of course, no problem. BUT, if it's someone who's trying to use the uniform to pretend they were in, and get some sort of benefit from it, such as a military discount.... BIG PROBLEM! And I'll let them know it too!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-09-16T22:31:49-04:00

I'm fine with it on Halloween. If it is wrong that is good. After Halloween is when I have an issue with it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-09-16T22:55:58-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I wouldn't advise anyone to carry around any realistic weapons as a part of their outfit.

Response by MSgt Steve Miller made Sep 17 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-09-17T09:30:10-04:00

I believe it depends on who is wearing the uniform. A young 7 year old boy that just wants to be like Mom/Dad is kind of cute. A young 27 year old has no business with it on unless if he/she served, but perhaps not as Halloween attire.

Response by TSgt Steven Neal made Sep 18 at 2015 12:31 AM

2015-09-18T00:31:12-04:00

Perfectly acceptable, just as they dress up as the POTUS. NOW, I see questionable wear (nearly 10 years I have been retired), as I did at a gas station, where a female soldier had hair down, and no cover while pumping gas, or clearly misuse while attempting to sell dome stolen valir, certainly THOSE are specific to problematic display! I ALWAYS address it! If its good enough to be in, as supposed current members to the Profession of Arms, THEY WILL REPRESENT PROPERLY!

Response by TSgt Larry Abernathy made Nov 1 at 2015 1:44 AM

2015-11-01T01:44:24-04:00

I have no problem with this if they make it a point to let others know they aren't military, or wear something that is obviously not a real military uniform. If someone who is not military does this, it makes me feel that they at least support us.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 3:24 AM

2015-11-01T03:24:38-05:00

This is exactly what Halloween is for. There is nothing wrong with people dressing like cops, soldiers, pilots, Superman, Batman, Ironman or any number of heros. This is the silliest thing to get upset over.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-11-01T10:18:27-05:00

In the immortal words of Sgt Hulka, "Settle down Francis."

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 1 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-11-01T10:42:52-05:00

Meh. kids playing make-believe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-11-01T10:46:10-05:00

If it's only for Halloween (1night) and not further...and they don't lie about having served; it doesn't bother me at all. Opposite of that is when they are posers stealing valor. A completely other story than.

Response by Chad Ramey made Jul 4 at 2020 3:06 PM

2020-07-04T15:06:00-04:00

Now if a civilian militia uses the ocp uniform but has their own patches is that an issue