Posted on Feb 22, 2014
Spouses/dependents wearing your uniform components in public?
271K
502
246
55
55
0
We have all seen it, spouses wearing their "sponsors" pt jacket, fleece jacket etc while walking around in public. I would really like to know why it is that "YOU" as the service member allow your spouse to wear a part of your uniform in public. Do you not have any pride in your uniform or your profession, or do you just not care that they do it? I would never let my wife wear my PT Jacket or anything else of mine that is essentially INITIAL ISSUE OR TA-50 in public. If she wants to support what I do and it is cold out, I'd get her an Army hoodie, not strip my name tapes off and let her walk around in MY Army issued fleece jacket. There is a discussion about Soldiers walking around in uniform after COB and "how wrong that is". So why do people think this it is OK to let their spouse wear their uniform and announce "my family is in the Army" or "give me special attention". And knowing that dependents are REALLY not so much subject to 670-1/ UCMJ in that aspect, is there any input as to what can be done about it besides walking away disgusted.<br>
Spouses
Uniforms
DA Pam 670-1
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 133
1
1
0
1
1
0
I am a spouse but I was also in the army and after I turned in my TA-50 there was a black sweater and also a green sweater that I was able to keep so yes I do wear it when it is cold, I understand your frustration but what are your views on that I am a spouse but wear my old gear??
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
It's pt gear, not a uniform. As for wearing a piece of the uniform...maybe her husband is on deployment and it makes her feel closer to him. Maybe she lost him to the war and it keeps her sane. I would wear my baby's old blouse, name & rank still on when he was away. I can honestly say that the people I ran into when doing so knew it was about feeling closer to him. Don't judge what you don't know.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
My husband wears my old brown Ts (and some times my tan Ts) for yard work and to fix the car. While I get annoyed its not because he is not military, it's because I keep having to buy more D**B T's.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I don't think it is much of an issue. I wear my tan tees to the gym. I don't think I will attract too much attention for wearing them.
(0)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
My wife has a PT shirt that she wears around the house and sometimes when we go to a store. Always in good taste and not altered in any way, still not to regs I'm sure but for something like that I'm fine with. Not like she's borrowing my ACU jacket or hat and walking around stores and fairs . Also since I'm bad at buying clothing for her she kinds just takes it and wears as support.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I agree that spouses should not wear the uniform in public. I do remember once I was in the exchange in p.t. gear just to get a bottle of water before the PRT. I was stopped by an LT in uniform going off about how I should not be wearing the uniform in public since I did not deserve to wear it. Out of respect I let him rant about it, did not talk back. Right after he was done an Master Chief who was in Iraq with saw me. He asked me " When did you get back from deployment?" I told him 3 weeks ago. The LT asked me " Sorry for the rant, but why didn't you tell me you were active duty" I smiled and told him in a lower voice 'Well, Sir there is a spouse about 3 people you and I figure you did not want to say it again when you saw her."
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Honestly, I believe there is a reason why for the exchange to have a "pride" section.....so for spouses to wear the uniform....eek. I'm dual military so I don't have a problem with us having our own :) But really? (I saw the PT dependa below.....omg)
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Well....Lets see here!! I have witnessed little kids in a small towns (names of which I don't remember) in Honduras, Central America wearing US military uniform items. I'll have to go with SGM Brainard "99 problems and this not one of them"!! Honor isn't judged by who you let wear your uniform items nor should it be. Did you consider that the individuals that do this maybe honoring their loved ones? I can speak from the dependent wife's point of view. I did wear my husbands Army PT shirts...granted it was not in public...I did this because I missed him! I guess my point is that you can't judge the reasons why nor should you waste the time to find a reason why?! Until people start getting arrested for it...just leave it alone!!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
There may be some of these alleged "spouses" (clearly it was wives or daughters shown in the picture) who are actually wearing their own PT's or whatever, from when they served on active duty. I still have my woodland pattern gortex jacket, and I wear it all the time in the winter in MD. Am I not supposed to because 'everyone will think it's my husbands'? If they are concerned, they can feel free to ask me. I will tell them whose it is. Besides, he has his own that he wears.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
<p>I haven't been in for a long time, but I can't really recall seeing that many spouses wearing their S/O uniform in public. Maybe I just didn't hang with out other soldiers all that much or maybe its a newer thing.</p><p>My wife never wore my uniforms. In fact, bless her heart, she only tried once to wash and iron them. While I was in I washed and ironed my own as well as maintaining my Class As. Back then I had a set of boots and an ironed uniform I wore to first formation. After that I changed into my work uniform or coveralls, whatever was required.<br>I still don't wear my uniform unless I am wearing the whole thing for a parade or special occasion. I have worn camo pants and shirts to hunt in, but they are usually surplus from another country. </p><p>Just my personal opinion, but if I'm going to wear a soldiers uniform then I should wear it correctly. </p>
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google