Is it disrespectful for a civilian to wear a woodland camo pattern BDU?

Not a great idea I wouldn’t have thought regardless of intentions.

I am retired Army Infantry. I still have some woodland pattern uniforms. Sometimes I wear the jacket with jeans. Or I wear the trousers with a flannel shirt. I make it a point to mix, never match the two. I have been retired for 17 years, being able to fit into my old uniform is a constant battle. (one I'm willing to fight)

I agree with MSgt Holt. Wearing “cammies” doesn’t show support or thanks. Just wear a t-shirt

It's not illegal to do so as long as you are getting no monetary gain from it or employment, benefits etc etc. You are not bound by any of the rules pertaining to the uniform so what you propose is technically fine.. However I think it would be best to not wear the uniform as a lot of us know people who wore said uniform and never came back. I appreciate what you are doing, but its best not to potentially aggravate warriors in the crowd who saw people wear that uniform and not come home.

No insignia, rank, unit identifiers, yeah, go ahead. I don't care. I did over 20, had my share of chest candy. I just wouldn't wear the whole get-up. You'd look like a tool.

Stick to civvies.

I feel more saluted by a civilian who wears a "Support ALL The Troops" shirt (the one with the vet in the wheelchair), but then I got used to being assaulted in airports and bus stations back in the '68 - '71 era.

When you return from a deployment, wear what you want. It probably won't be anything more flamboyant than a hat with a pin or two.

I'm not sure why you think that the outfit is a salute to veterans. I certainly don't see it that way Nor am I bothered by it if is as you describe it (without any military patches, etc). It is certainly not illegal to wear. While it is not disrespectful to some it may be to others. Want to show support? Get a T-shirt that says you support the military.

Back in the sixtys the hippie's favorite shop was the Army Navy store name tapes insignia and all. Army shirts Navy P coast looked aussum.

I wear'm when I go hunting, fishing and contract-work when teaching military or woodland skills, but no-one would mistake me for Active Duty. Retired 1993

Logan-There's an old saying that holds true, "When in doubt...opt out". Wait till you join up; you'll be glad for any and every opportunity to NOT wear a utility uniform :)

That being said, I think it's important that we (both civilians and military) make a clear distinction between the utility and meaning of an article of clothing. Camouflage patterns are tools, and just as using a hammer doesn't make one a contractor, wearing camo clothing doesn't make one a Solider. Woodland BDUs are great for outdoor sports, are often used by hunters, and to the best of my knowledge...are not currently being used as a regular uniform by any component of the Armed Services (yes, I realize that it may still be used in certain operational environments). I have sets of camo that I use often when training, hiking or shooting, when appropriate to the task. In that sense, my personal feelings are that any active or veteran member who would come down on a civilian for using "sanitized" BDUs in these settings is taking things way too far.

On the other hand, any use of any uniform, or article thereof to present the impression of belonging to an organization one has no claim to? Obviously that is out of bounds. When I see someone at the grocery store wearing ACU pants...I assume they must have served at one point or time. That point could be taken further to address the wearing of certain headgear, tee-shirts, "morale patches", you name it. Bottom line, if the intent is to deceive...you've crossed a line.

A more recent development, that I personally think was a little extreme, was to incorporate organizational emblems into certain camo patterns...and this poses a new problem. I'm a veteran and was forward deployed...I won't ever put on anything in MARPAT for the simple reason that I never earned the Marine Corps "EGA"...which is incorporated into that pattern. Likewise, despite being a Navy vet, I won't wear the "AOR1" pattern...since as I understand it, it's considered organizational clothing of the SEALs and SWCC. Honestly, while I think the new "AOR2" is pretty cool, and I suppose the point could be made I "rate" it...I can't see spending the money for it when for a few dollars more...I can buy some of the best civilian hunting camo on the market and offend no one.