Is there anything wrong with a civilian wearing a marine pt crewneck from a surplus store?

2021-02-08T05:32:11-05:00

I have a USMC crew neck and I'm curious if it's okay to wear or it's stolen valor or anything? I own clothing from other branches and people i know in those branches don't care but my friend in the marines always complains about anything military i own

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 8:00 AM

2021-02-08T08:00:29-05:00

You’re a civilian? Wear anything you want. Up to and including the Medal of Honor.

Now... if you’re an ethical civilian, you won’t wear anything that suggests you’ve done something or earned something that you haven’t. Obviously, wearing a green beret, or a “BUDS Class 293” shirt is suggestive. Wearing a plain t-shirt, socks, pants, or even a camouflage Gortex coat isn’t necessarily suggestive. You’ve probably seen the videos on YouTube—a guy is wearing just a camouflage blouse AND tries to tell people he’s actively serving, or home on leave. Or, if you were wearing it, and someone tried to thank you for your service, and you thanked them without making any effort to correct them... that’s all bad.

It goes to your intent. If you’re wearing a blouse as a “John Lennon” fashion statement, that’s one thing. Trying to convince people that you served, that’s something else. Wearing an unmarked crew neck shirt is no big deal.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 8 at 2021 10:00 AM

2021-02-08T10:00:31-05:00

it's a shirt. You're fine. The Stolen Valor Act has very specific guidelines. Your friend needs to take a chill pill.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Feb 8 at 2021 12:21 PM

2021-02-08T12:21:12-05:00

Tell your friend in the Marines to get a life.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 12:42 PM

2021-02-08T12:42:16-05:00

This is what the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 states: "The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 (Pub.L. 113–12 (text) (pdf); H.R. 258) is a United States federal law that was passed by the 113th United States Congress. The law amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a person to claim they have served in the military, embellish their rank or fraudulently claim having received a valor award specified in the Act, with the intention of obtaining."

Federally, you're only getting charged if you attempt to profit off lying about receiving specific awards. States I think have their own laws.

Wearing a piece of a uniform isn't stolen valor. Just wear it. People can wear Army PTs as a civilian clothes. Your friend is just being a dick honestly.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 4:10 PM

2021-02-08T16:10:41-05:00

I used to wear Army shirts when I was in high school. A lot of guys just will hold anything over your head because they can. You can wear it. I would still wear it. Oddly enough now that I am in the Army I don't wear any Army shirts anymore.

Response by MSgt Ed Larson made Feb 8 at 2021 7:14 PM

2021-02-08T19:14:15-05:00

No this is America wear what you want. Sure someone may get upset but that is their problem not yours.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 8:18 PM

2021-02-08T20:18:45-05:00

Not entirely the same thing, but sort of related.

When I got in for the evening at my weekend drill I realized I FORGOT the green t-shirts that I wear under my ACU. The ONLY option I had open to me at the time was to go hunting for one that evening, at what was probably a local Walmart.

I found an acceptable green shade of shirt for my ACU. Unfortunately, it was plastered with USMC!!!!!! across the front.

Well, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Then later during the battle assembly they started calling out names for the monthly urinalysis. For those in the know, it requires I take off my uniform top exposing my t-shirt. This would be a funnier story if my name was called, but it wasn't.

Response by CPO Michael Hatten made Feb 9 at 2021 6:00 PM

2021-02-09T18:00:51-05:00

If it's for sale in a surplus store, you gotta think it's not that big a deal. It's not like you're wearing a Congressional Medal of Honor ribbon. It's just a freakin' shirt.

Response by SPC Pedro L Vazquez -Deynes made Oct 30 at 2023 1:27 AM

2023-10-30T01:27:37-04:00

It is more important to keep your friends? I'm sure that in life you never know who will give a hand when you more needed or you to one of them. Life is short.