Posted on Jul 1, 2018
Is it disrespectful for a civilian to wear a woodland camo pattern BDU?
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I tend to go to thrift shops and find good deals, a complete set of 1980s woodland camo uniform, minus the name tape, branch tape rank, unit and flag patches, and qualification badge being one of those deals with an 8-point cap. Is it disrespectful or illegal to wear the uniform to a Fourth of July parade as a salute to veterans and current service members? Just asking so no one screams “Stolen valor!” or gets the wrong idea. I myself am a civilian and my buddy and I want to join the military.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
Were I in your situation, PFC (Join to see), I would not wear what you propose. I think a simple handshake and a “thank you” would be sufficient.
However, if there are no patches, badges, name tapes, branch of service tapes on the uniform or hat, they’re just clothes.
I still think it might be perceived incorrectly, and you might get the opposite result that you intend.
LTC Kevin B. MSgt David Hoffman
However, if there are no patches, badges, name tapes, branch of service tapes on the uniform or hat, they’re just clothes.
I still think it might be perceived incorrectly, and you might get the opposite result that you intend.
LTC Kevin B. MSgt David Hoffman
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LTC Stephen C.
That’s a good decision, PFC (Join to see). Incidentally, I never suggested that you intended to impersonate a service member. You asked a question, and I answered it with great specificity.
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PFC (Join to see)
I only say that because due to my 5 foot 11 height and my overall appearance, some people have mistaken me to be older than I am and therefore has cause some misunderstandings.
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LTC Stephen C.
PFC Jeff Langer II, if you’re referring to my comments, you know you’ve taken them out of context. I recommended he NOT wear such clothing.
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PFC (Join to see), While I admire the intent you have, I will echo LTC Stephen C. and MSgt David Hoffman. As a retired veteran, I would rather see someone wear a patriotic pin or t-shirt and shake my hand as to simulate the uniform I sweat, bled, and shed tears in. Others might not see the tribute you intend and react in ways you are not expecting.
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PFC (Join to see)
As I said and has been pointed out, I will not be wearing the uniform. Since I don’t have a shirt that says support our veterans, I will slap my B-17, USS Yorktown, American flag, and West Virginian pins on my hat, take a man’s hand, look him in the eye, and thank him for his service, as I did with two 82nd Airbrine vets and a few others.
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It’s not necessarily disrespectful, but I’ve always found it to be a little weird and confusing.
I mean, doctors are awesome. They save lives every day. They are thanked every day. I don’t think anyone throws on a pair of scrubs and white lab coat and a stethoscope as a “salute to doctors”.
Additionally, it could be a bit confusing to others watching, thinking that that tributeer could actually be a doctor himself.
Disrespectful, no. Weird and confusing, yes.
I mean, doctors are awesome. They save lives every day. They are thanked every day. I don’t think anyone throws on a pair of scrubs and white lab coat and a stethoscope as a “salute to doctors”.
Additionally, it could be a bit confusing to others watching, thinking that that tributeer could actually be a doctor himself.
Disrespectful, no. Weird and confusing, yes.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree with you, but a possible counter point would be that people, myself included, wear sports jerseys all the time to show support for their favorite teams. However, I freely admit that my wearing of said jerseys is a manifestation of my “wannabe” status, so there’s that.
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SGT (Join to see)
You wear a football jersey. But you don’t wear the full shoulder pads, helmet, pants/pads, cleats, etc.
That would be weird and confusing.
That would be weird and confusing.
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It's not illegal, and I don't think it's disrespectful, to buy uniforms components that are openly available in the civilian marketplace. Piecing everything together into an almost-complete uniform, especially at a parade saluting veterans, could be problematic for you though. Some people might see you as attempting to parade yourself as a vet, rather than simply honoring vets. I wouldn't, but I can see how others might.
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PFC (Join to see)
Thank you for the heads up sir. I live in West Virginia and last year at Yeager airport we had an air show and I wore my jacket there and none of the Air Force National Guardsman batted an eye my way, but I’d rather not get yelled at by someone or a service member, since my uncle and my grandfather served in Vietnam.
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MAJ (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) - Chances are you're young enough that most veterans would know you never wore the woodland pattern in the service. Civilians on the other hand are typically clueless about this stuff. But like LTC Kevin B. said, when it's pieced together like a uniform and worn at a parade you're going to draw attention that's not meant for you. Plus, the 4th of July is a celebration of America, not the military specifically. You'll do just as well to be decked out in red, white, and blue.
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PFC (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) - I have two bicentennial Medals I got from thrift shops, an American tie die shirt, and an American flag pin. It would be kind of cheesy to thank each and everyone of the wise and valiant men who took a little bit of their time to answer a clueless civvie’s question, so it’s just best if I leave the uniform to those who actually wore it.
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NO, do not do that.
The perception from any observer will be that you are purporting to be a former service member.
That will lead to conversations.
That will lead to misunderstandings.
That will lead to the opposite of what your stated purpose is.
A handshake and a thank you will do the trick just fine.
The perception from any observer will be that you are purporting to be a former service member.
That will lead to conversations.
That will lead to misunderstandings.
That will lead to the opposite of what your stated purpose is.
A handshake and a thank you will do the trick just fine.
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PFC (Join to see) Illegal, no. Disrespectful, maybe.
If you put something big, bright, and obvious on there that says "supporter" I can see that. Marching in a parade in uniform, even a replica, without being in some sort of re-enactment group is toeing up to a line IMO. I would prefer you didn't. If you're going to do it anyway just make sure everyone knows you are not a Veteran.
You said you are interested in joining. When you go through MEPs and enter the Delayed Entry Program, maybe you could march the route along side your recruiter and take one of your initial oath's of enlistment at the end of the route. Your recruiter would be a great guidepost in helping you from crossing any lines and could turn it into a recruiting mission assisting event.
If you put something big, bright, and obvious on there that says "supporter" I can see that. Marching in a parade in uniform, even a replica, without being in some sort of re-enactment group is toeing up to a line IMO. I would prefer you didn't. If you're going to do it anyway just make sure everyone knows you are not a Veteran.
You said you are interested in joining. When you go through MEPs and enter the Delayed Entry Program, maybe you could march the route along side your recruiter and take one of your initial oath's of enlistment at the end of the route. Your recruiter would be a great guidepost in helping you from crossing any lines and could turn it into a recruiting mission assisting event.
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I wouldn't wear that for a salute to veterans. The Woodland BDU is a great pattern of you intend to do some hunting in a forested area. Other than that, it might be misconstrued if you wear it to a meeting or tribute to veterans. I recommend wearing your normal clothes and giving them a firm handshake. We like handshakes more than someone cosplaying with an old uniform. Also, don't be surprised if your admiration makes a veteran uncomfortable. A lot of us avoid these types of functions simply to avoid the phrase "Thank you for your service. "
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1980s?! I wore BDUs when I first enlisted in 2003. You're making me feel old...
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PFC (Join to see)
The date is only a generalization from the main issue date from 1981. The woodland camoflauge pattern was the default for the United States Armed Forces and was replaced with digitized cammies in 2011. Currently, the Air Force is implementing a plan to equip all airmen with army OCP uniforms to replace the digitized tigerstripe ABU for good. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/05/14/the-long-awaited-ocp-uniform-is-on-its-way-to-the-air-force-and-heres-when-you-could-get-it/
The long-awaited OCP uniform is on its way to the Air Force — and here’s when you could get it
For years, airmen have dreamed of it, demanded it, and envied those lucky enough to have it already. And finally, the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform on its way for everybody.
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I think this is a case of “just because you could doesn’t mean you should.” As others have said, while definitely not illegal given your intent, it could be potentially taken as disrespectful or weird. What you’re suggesting sounds akin to someone who might wear a “sanitized” jersey to a ballgame to show support for their favorite team. I actually get that and can appreciate it. But, it seems that sports jerseys are the only place in society where wearing part of a uniform that one has no actual claim to as a show of support is acceptable. People don’t wear police, doctor, paramedic, or fire fighter uniforms in support of those professions. As others have said, a hand shake and “thank you” are plenty. If you feel the need, a shirt or ball cap that expresses “support for the troops” will definitely get the job done. If you do join up, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to proudly wear a utility uniform. In fact, you’ll get sick of wearing it. If you don’t join and you still want to wear cammo, that’s cool. Wear it in the woods while you’re taking down a prized buck or catching a huge bass at the lake. Or, they make really comfy clothes for paintball and similar sports.
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Why not? I don’t think most Vets would care a bit as long as your not trying to wear an actual uni with name tape, Branch, tank etc. Personally I wouldn’t show up to parades and such wearing cammies, it’s just a bit weird, but it’s close to hunting season and all the stores are already decked out in camouflage.
If you want to join then join, it’s a solid step for anyone to grow up and be responsible.
If you want to join then join, it’s a solid step for anyone to grow up and be responsible.
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