What do you think about professional sports teams wearing camoflaged hats and jerseys??

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:08:45 -0400

I feel that sports teams who wear camouflaged pattern hats and jerseys are showing their appreciation to the military. What do you think, Rally Point?

Here's an article that I found about military members views on sport teams wearing camouflaged hats and jerseys:
http://www.uni-watch.com/how-do-military-personnel-feel-about-camouflage-jerseys/

Sports teams have been wearing camouflage uniforms to honor the military for the better part of a decade now. Fans have their own reactions, but what about the people supposedly being honored? Uni Watch recently invited active and former U.S. military personnel to share their thoughts about the camouflage uni phenomenon. About 60 of them responded. Their thoughts are shown below. — Paul Lukas

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 27 at 2015 3:20 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:20:00 -0400

I like the fact that organization's show pride by taking this initiative and representing the Military.

Five teams that are part of the military uniform surge.

ARMY: The Black Knights started the rush to camouflage in 2008. Army wore black jerseys with camouflage pants for the Navy game, the first rivalry game of a series started by Nike. Army has since worn camouflage four other times, including a complete camouflage uniform against Virginia Military Institute to honor soldiers.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS: The 20th-ranked Huskies donned special patriotic jerseys on Wednesday night for their Heroes Game, and 87-year-old Albert Riippi, a World War II veteran and former football letterwinner at NIU, served as honorary captain. The jerseys featured stars on one shoulder, stripes on the other, and the word "Heroes" across the backs instead of player names. The Huskies' helmet decals had stars and stripes inside the NIU logo. The jerseys are to be auctioned, and proceeds will go to a charity that supports current and former members of the military and their families.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks have worn special jerseys three times around Veterans Day in connection with the Wounded Warriors Project. In 2011, auctioned jerseys brought in about $58,000.

VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies wore orange camouflage helmets and white military-themed jerseys in September and auctioned them online, with a portion of the proceeds diverted to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The school has had a Military Appreciation Day for two years and last year sold camouflage hats to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN: Last year, Georgia Southern donned dark blue custom digital camouflage Nike jerseys on its Military Appreciation Day game against Wofford. After the game, 30 of the jerseys were placed on an online auction with a starting bid of $200 for each. Proceeds went to benefit Georgia Southern's Military Resource Center and the university's ROTC program.

-- The Associated Press

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 3:20 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:20:44 -0400

I don't like it. I think it is a cheap shot to get more ticket and merchandise sales.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Apr 27 at 2015 3:20 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:20:51 -0400

i am not a fan of that - The NFL places service stickers on the helmets... I like that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 3:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:21:48 -0400

There is nothing wrong about wearing camouflage jerseys; it brings awareness to the military. The teams do the same thing for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink socks and hats.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 27 at 2015 3:24 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:24:19 -0400

So now when you knock a ball right to a outfielder it will be all..

"Honest coach I didn't think there was anyone there."

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 27 at 2015 5:36 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:36:46 -0400

The military needs all the support it can get from where ever they can find it. It seems to me that the service members can find respect and support everywhere but our nations capital.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Apr 27 at 2015 6:16 PM

SFC Joseph James — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:16:40 -0400

It just shows appreciation. We don't own camouflage. I like it!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 27 at 2015 6:55 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:55:33 -0400

Let's face it: MLB and the NFL do this for merchandising reasons. Now, if they can demonstrate that, somehow, they are a returning a portion of those profits, I'm OK with it. Otherwise, I find it patronizing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 9:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 21:51:27 -0400

The first place I experienced this was during a visit to a San Diego Padres game at Petco Park on Memorial Day Weekend several years back. To my knowledge, the Padres were the first team to do this, and with the strong Navy and Marine Corps presence in San Diego, it makes sense. In other markets with a military installation, I think this is a nice way for a team to connect with the military community; particularly when a Brigade or a BCT from that Installation is deployed and a team steps in to support the family members and dependents left waiting at home; in these cases, it has meaning, it's special.

Sadly, the "Military Tribute" cap and jersey has now become a standard check-the-block item for every team in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NCAA and NASCAR now. Every season, each of these leagues pencils in the dates of their "Salute To Service" event or weekend, push the merchandise, and if you happen to be at the event; give you a flag to wave, and ask Vets and Service personnel in attendance to stand and be recognized at some point. These events are scripted and lack creativity, originality, and any of the unique local flair that I first experienced years ago in San Diego.

I would much rather there not be any special "Military Tribute" effort made any more. Take the money spent on the marketing and manufacturing of the commemorative gear and just quietly donate it to Military charities and non-profiits. Don't get me wrong, these efforts were wonderful and greatly appreciated when they were fresh and new; but now they seem as forced and sincere as the people smiling and saying "Thank you for your service!" at these events.

Just my two bits.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 9:53 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 21:53:43 -0400

I think it is cool. Kids look up to athletes from a very young age, so if they bleed a little pride our way, it is for the good, right?

Also, we wear their stuff too. Hockey jerseys, baseball jerseys, football jerseys. :)

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 27 at 2015 10:08 PM

SGT Michael Touchet — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 22:08:03 -0400

I appreciate all organizations that show support towards our military.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made Apr 27 at 2015 11:19 PM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 23:19:06 -0400

I don't like it. If you want the camo gear join the service and earn it, if you want the million dollar paycheck play sports. Don't pretend. Service Members have gone thru a lot to earn there camo.
Then again I could be wrong and just a mean old man (as per my daughter).

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 11:19 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 23:19:36 -0400

I really like it. I wish more teams would get on board with programs like the Padres.

Response by Sgt Evan Proctor made Apr 28 at 2015 2:55 PM

Sgt Evan Proctor — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:55:04 -0400

It is a pattern of material...Has nothing to do with military or anything else. Hunters wear camo, are they representing the military? Let people do as they please, we fought for their right to wear what ever they want.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Apr 28 at 2015 4:34 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:34:14 -0400

Completely irrelevant to me.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Apr 29 at 2015 11:58 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:58:55 -0400

I'm torn, on one hand my personal opinion of camouflage (BDU, ACU, or pink black and white) looks idiotic unless you're involved in an activity where low visibility is important (hunting, paintball, war-fighting). So from that perspective I think this looks idiotic.

On the other hand, I'll support wholeheartedly any tactic in "winning the war of public opinion"... Vietnam showed us that the civilian population has a hard time differentiating between service members doing their duty, and politicians continuing in an unpopular war.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Apr 29 at 2015 7:43 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:43:24 -0400

well, we live in America you can wear and do what you want. didn't know this was a controversy :-)

Response by SPC Aaron Donnelly made May 19 at 2015 10:51 AM

SPC Aaron Donnelly — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:51:00 -0400

I like it but I wish they'd change up the prints. Each time pick a different branch to wear.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 11:14 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 11:14:33 -0400

Who cares not like we have exclusive rights to camo clothes.

Thinking they appreciate the military just because they are wearing it is a leap of faith however. It's tandem say Duck Dynasty likes the military just because they wear camo or hey how bout the guy down the street he wears camo also. The more plausible answer is marketing, marketing, marketing after all when push comes to shove they are a business and need to make a profit. The players are wearing their required uniform they probably really dont care long as the paycheck clears.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 21 at 2015 9:24 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 21:24:04 -0400

If they're that proud, that bunch of millionaires should enlist, then. Quit talking the talk, and walk the walk instead.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 21 at 2015 11:09 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:09:04 -0400

I think that it's a great thing to honor the military. I have a camp Mets hat.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 11:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:16:09 -0400

At the end of the day, it's completely irrelevant to me and what I do. I think it's about $$$$$$$ for some of these organizations. I do believe that some of the players support the military and take pride in wearing the jerseys and other's I feel do so because the organization says so. Donate the money from sales to organization that need it. How man professional players have you seen stand their when the national anthem is playing and not place their hand on their heart? "The Independence Hall Association says the Flag Code, adopted first in 1923, requires those who are not members of the Armed Forces or veterans to face the flag and stand with a hand over their heart. Men in these crowds are told to remove hats or other headgear with their right hands and place them over their left shoulders." So if you are going to honor us with military appreciation night and wear digital uniforms, then HONOR or Flag because we've worn it on our uniforms and proudly defend it.

How I feel....and my $0.02

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 22 at 2015 11:09 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 11:09:40 -0400

Not only professional teams but college teams, specifically baseball teams for both, do it as a way of acknowledging and honoring the military and I do not have an issue with it at all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 11:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 11:20:51 -0400

To put it simply, "Thanks for the support"!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 8:08 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:08:43 -0400

I miss the traditional uniforms. Teams seem to have a uniform for every occasion

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:25 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 01:25:19 -0400

I don't have a problem with it if it's just like 1 day a season like Memorial Day or the 4th of July; because it's really a special occasion, but it seems like teams are looking for any excuse to wear them and cash in, so it's kinda lost the appeal for me.

Response by SFC John Elam made Sep 3 at 2015 12:14 PM

SFC John Elam — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:14:03 -0400

It's no different than a fan wearing their sports wear in support of them.