Posted on May 3, 2018
If I'm a potential recruit for the army and the son of a Marine (which I am), is it stolen valor to wear military apparel?
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Apparel including, but not limited to, old military jackets with no insignias, just the name of a branch and hats with branch insignias but not rank or veteran status branding.
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Stolen Valor
Stolen Valor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I don't recommend you wearing your dads old patches, but if he is ok with it. Just keep in mind there is a great big world out there, with tons of interesting people out there from all walks of life, just waiting to be offended by something you are wearing.
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Al Bay
Amen to that! Don't worry, no patches are being worn. I just have some old multicams for paintball, airsoft, hot days (pants for that) and I made sure there are no patches whatsoever. I did find a forward assaulting flag pactch that I put on my Condor cap, but that's it.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
Paintball no worries, As long as your not running around calling yourself R.Lee Ermy's son, you should be ok.
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Al-There's a big difference between wearing your Dad's old jacket, and posing as an actual U.S. Marine-I think you're safe. Still, people used to have common sense, and could tell the difference between a proud son and a poser...These days, common sense is not so common.
I'd suggest that if you're close to enlisting yourself, try enjoying "civvies" as long as you can, and spend a few months sampling all of the things you might be leaving behind for awhile...get to know the "you" without the military in the background (take some advice from the son of an Army NCO).
When you show up for processing...leave all of that stuff behind. Wear clothing that stands out as little as possible, and definitely NO military items of any kind whatsoever-not even "Grunt Style" shirts! Within a few hours...you'll be in your own uniform and building your own career to be proud of.
I'd suggest that if you're close to enlisting yourself, try enjoying "civvies" as long as you can, and spend a few months sampling all of the things you might be leaving behind for awhile...get to know the "you" without the military in the background (take some advice from the son of an Army NCO).
When you show up for processing...leave all of that stuff behind. Wear clothing that stands out as little as possible, and definitely NO military items of any kind whatsoever-not even "Grunt Style" shirts! Within a few hours...you'll be in your own uniform and building your own career to be proud of.
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Al Bay It is not stolen valor, but if you are wearing a Marine Corps cap, folks might assume that you have served, or are serving. You are the son of a Marine, so why are you not enlisting in the Marine Corps?
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Al Bay
Roger that. And as far as the USMC goes, I've looked into all four branches, and seriously considered the Marine Corps. The only thing that made me choose Army is that they have more choices of MOS that fit my...for lack of a better word, 'interests'.
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