What’re your thoughts on current/former military members using their status and image to promote their business, products or services?

2021-07-19T19:37:57-04:00

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 19 at 2021 7:47 PM

2021-07-19T19:47:33-04:00

No problem here. I never used mine but Vietnam Vets didn't have a very favorable imagine to trade on. After all, who wants to do business with a "Baby Killer" (as we were all known, even those who weren't deployed to Vietnam but served elsewhere in that time). Recently, most people are more respectful of veterans. A young man my daughter used to babysit, joined the Marines and deployed to combat in the Gulf War. On return and discharge, he started a very successful "Veteran Owned" Air Conditioning sales and service enterprise. He now has a small fleet of trucks and about 20-some employees, and is a recognized leader in his industry. I say good for him...

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 19 at 2021 8:27 PM

2021-07-19T20:27:18-04:00

It’s a free country. Who am I or anyone hear to tell someone how to live their life? As long as they aren’t fabricating a tall tale or falsifying their service record it is their truth to tell. If someone wants to buy their product or read their book because of their service record how is it different than the Kardashians making money for having big back porches? At least this way it is going to a veteran who did something meaningful and performed a level of public service

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 19 at 2021 9:12 PM

2021-07-19T21:12:28-04:00

It’s a matter of mentioning military service in the right way. Disgraced Congressman Duncan Hunter received a cease and desist letter back in 2019 for using official USMC logo instead of mentioning veteran status in campaign materials

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/duncan-hunter-ordered-stop-using-marine-corps-emblem-campaign-n1030826

Marines order Duncan Hunter to stop using Corps emblem in campaign

The California Republican used the Marine Corps emblem in a campaign mailer that tied his Democratic opponent and two Democratic congresswomen to terror.

Response by CWO4 Terrence Clark made Jul 19 at 2021 10:21 PM

2021-07-19T22:21:05-04:00

Red letter day! Agree with LTC Eugene Chu ! Nothing wrong with referring to your military service and rank to build creds for your endeavours. Wearing your old uniform likely proscribed by title 5 or 38, or both.

However, the good LTC and I likely differ on the relative seriousness of the sins of Duncan Hunter as compared to corruption of the universe of government officials. :-) :-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 1:01 AM

2021-07-20T01:01:10-04:00

If we didn't let people do this there would be thousands of unemployed SEALS on every corner in America offering to do push-ups for money. Think about how that would wreck the Exercise & Fitness Straight-to-dvd industry

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jul 20 at 2021 6:48 AM

2021-07-20T06:48:33-04:00

I don't see a problem with it as long as it isn't the major focus of their ad campaign. Nothing wrong with using the term "Veteran Owned." He/she earned the right to use that statement.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 20 at 2021 7:25 AM

2021-07-20T07:25:08-04:00

I am in the "it depends" category.

Using "veteran owned" or even "veteran staffed" is cool by me. Places like Black Rifle coffee that proudly claim their vet status and even promote it, are also cool by me. Their ads feature vets and "vet owned" prominently, but they don't try to claim that their status as vets makes them coffee experts who you should trust. They are also CATERING to vets, but not marketing SPECIFICALLY to them.

I have a problem when people use their vet status, especially their rank, to claim expertise in an unrelated field, in marketing directly aimed at other vets. New Day USA come to mind in this category. I get an ad, about once a month, from a retired Admiral. It is disguised as a personal letter from the Admiral to me, talking about how he understands the unique problems of military service, and then it slowly unfolds that I should trust HIM when he says New Day USA should handle my next mortgage or re-fi.

I don't have a problem with it from a moral or legal standpoint. I just think it is tacky and SHOULD BE beneath that person's dignity. *I* wouldn't do it. But I don't believe in telling others what to do with their own reputation.

For me, it comes down to this: Are you offering a product/service that happens to be vet owned (BRCC), or are you offering a vet, who happens to have a product/service (New Day). I am cool with the former - I'll check em out and probably even support them if I need that particular product/service. I run screaming the other way from the latter. You are displaying that you are not the type of person I want to deal with.

It is pretty much the same thing with books, for me. If your selling point is the author was a SEAL, have a nice day. If your selling point is the riveting tale, take my money.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 9:08 AM

2021-07-20T09:08:29-04:00

No problem with it whatsoever so long as they're not trying so claim that anything they say or do represents the military in any way.

Or go out and say stuff like, "All my fellow Veterans agree with me on this political issue". The hell we do, anyone who's been in 5 minutes knows we argue with each other about literally everything. Sure there's some basics a lot of Vets tend to agree on but that's still not 100%

Things like Veteran Owned, Veteran Operated, Veteran Staffed, that's all fine. Or even if running for office and using the "I served and I want to serve you again" slogan, that's fine with me.

Just none of the, "I'm Vet Guy and the Army supports the [Insert Issue]" Big no go right there.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 10:27 AM

2021-07-20T10:27:54-04:00

If we didn't allow this, then how will we get our coffee and our clothes?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 20 at 2021 11:10 AM

2021-07-20T11:10:21-04:00

I think it's fine depending on how it's presented. When you sell a product and attach the "veteran" label to it, to the general public you are representing more than yourself. A veteran that says "we're a veteran owned business" is great. A veteran that builds a specific persona and sells a product built on that persona "as a veteran" isn't a great idea because there's no way they can represent the entire veteran community.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 2:15 PM

2021-07-20T14:15:31-04:00

I would say it’s ok for the public to be aware of the veteran status of owners and employees, however what I don’t like is when veterans make their business solely about their service. I own a small nano-brewery; we let it be known that we are veteran owned and operated but the theme of our business is our other passion; SCUBA-diving. Too many companies make their theme completely about the Army for instance; those are the ones that were probably barracks lawyers and/or complained about their branch of the military on a daily basis!

Response by SSG Dale London made Jul 20 at 2021 3:21 PM

2021-07-20T15:21:37-04:00

This has been going on since the US had a military. How many politicians cite their military experience as a reason to vote for them?
I don't see anything wrong with it, so long as they do not bring discredit upon their service or the country.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 20 at 2021 7:45 PM

2021-07-20T19:45:11-04:00

I'm in the not too crazy about it based on my experiences working the Navy CIV side. We'd have consultants all the time who worked hard to get a MIL label hiree that wasn't too great, but hey, we now have a label. They'd toss those things around because they believed it was a go/no go bean. Being and O5/6 Reservist at the time put me in good stead when I'd tell a firm their proposed staff didn't pass the sniff test. I never made mention of my rank in my CIV job unless it was to make a point based on personal knowledge. Word got around that if firms wanted a MIL to enhance their proposal, they'd better know what they were doing. Then there are the ex MILs that give a bad name. A home mortgage loan company comes to mind. I've seen a lot of firms that hire on a retired Flag and than trots them out to apply ointment. Hated that. Everything said, the answer is individual specific based on personal experience.

Response by CDR Tom Davy made Sep 11 at 2021 7:38 PM

2021-09-11T19:38:34-04:00

As an Emergency Planner, one of my major credentials is my years as a Plans, Operations, and Medical Intelligence Officer (POMI). As long as I'm clear that I'm retired and not speaking for the military / government and don't lie about my quals, than I consider my actions appropriate.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Sep 11 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-09-11T19:55:17-04:00

IF you are a federal employee, there are rules that apply. But there is nothing wrong in using your earned credentials in a professional manner. Just as other professionals use "RN" or "P.Hd.", a former service member like me can use "USN (ret.)" - indicating that I am at least a 20 year member of the US Navy who is a retiree in good standing - in their profile and Email signature line, etc..

Response by PO2 Marco Monsalve made Sep 11 at 2021 9:51 PM

2021-09-11T21:51:34-04:00

It all depends on how it is done. If used respectfully and with no hyperbole and I don't have a problem. I used the term 'Veteran owned" and "Proud Navy Vietnam Veteran" with my company when I first started and all five of my employees at that time were also veterans. Twenty years later when I sold we had 310 employees and over half were veterans. I was always proud to promote our services as veterans.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-09-12T11:25:37-04:00

I have no problem with it. If you served, why shouldn’t you be able to use it? Of course, be honest about your service. No stolen valor!!

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Sep 12 at 2021 3:35 PM

2021-09-12T15:35:49-04:00

What is wrong about being proud of your service and acomplishments. If former sports players endorse a product, then why shouldn't a veteran be allowed to do it.