Why do spouses insist on wearing uniform items that they didn't earn? Better yet, why are the military members letting them?

I am a Marine Vet and a AF Spouse! It seems to me the Female spouses feel more entitled then male spouses.

And because I like stirring the pot, let me tell you all something I did. During GW-1, both my father and I, reservists, him Navy, me Marines, volunteered to go. Dad was put on Stand-By, while I was recalled to Camp Pendleton. As I had been assigned to Range 214 at Camp Horno while on active duty, the Corps sent me back to Range Control to help out with the enormous amount of Rifle Quals that needed to get done. Prior to departing my home AO, my father and I each removed one of our metal collar rank insignia's and gave it to the other. As I arrived at the range each morning, I discreetly pinned his black rank to a black portion at the rear of my woodland cover. It was almost invisible, but it was there. I never wore it off the range, but it was there. No one ever noticed. Pops put my Cpl. chevrons on his ships ball cap in the same position.

Well, almost no one. Marine Gunners, ie, Chief Warrant Officer 5's don't miss much, and the Gunner who ran the range caught me and stood me tall. Cpl Crosser, what the.......... I explained what it was and why I was wearing it, gave him a very brief history of my fathers service in Vietnam, and told him I did not leave the range with it on. After that, I awaited my imminent demise. What I got was one of the warmest smiles I have ever seen on another person. He shook my hand, told me to give my father his best and finished with "Carry On".

I figured though that I had better be a little more discreet, and for the remainder of my time, I kept the rank in my left breast pocket. Dad retired after 30 years combined Active and Reserves. After 9/11, when I was again on active duty, I took that rank insignia and affixed it to my LBV. It was my good luck charm, and connected me to my father and his service, a constant reminder of where I came from and the honor it was to serve.

I fully expect to receive plenty of backlash for this posting, however, my daughter, currently a young sailor, carries one of my rank insignia's with her. The tradition of service continues.

My wife said that we made staff one time and laughing I said "oh really, when did you enlist." She wasn't happy but I told her that it was disrespectful in my opinion.

First I think it's pretty disrespectful for any spouse to be draped half naked in the American flag. I did come across many spouses that felt entitled because of their husband/wife's rank. I've also had the unfortunate pleasure of having to deal with those spouses who had a little bit of "power" by volunteering to be a part of the "family support group" or whatever. It's incredibly frustrating to deal with people like them. I've been a soldier and the wife of a soldier. I have to say it was difficult waiting on him. To find out if/when he would come home. Raising children alone. I'm not saying it's the toughest job because it's much harder to be in a war torn country, not knowing if you're going to make it home. But, it is a give and take. By no means does that mean I feel like spouses deserve to use their spouses rank and should be garnered the same respect because they shouldn't. Gaining respect comes from standing back and allowing your spouse the accolades they deserve without trying to take away from it.

I met a few spouses after I returned from deployment. They made me sick when they talked about how "hard" they had it. So many of them want to use their spouse's rank to act like the world owes them too.

i know right.......

I do agree with you on almost all of it - but civilians do some messed up things all the time. However, pin up can be a motivational tool but should be kept more private.

This topic reminds me of all the "Just the Tip, Wook, POG" facebook pages putting people on blast haha.

Most of these chicks feel entitled. This has been a debate for a long time officers wife's feel that they need to be saluted and so on. I have always said if the military wanted you to have a spouse they would issue us one. Grow a pair and put your spouse in check.

I believe military spouses deserve their recognition, serving, obviously, in a much different way. However, a military spouse who demands recognition is just as disgraceful as a service member demanding recognition. I would not demand it but I do appreciate it. Prior to my service I worked in EMS. If I stopped somewhere which I knew have a discount to us, I would never think to ask for the discount.
To the question, you may find it offensive in some way but one cannot be narrow minded towards the general public. If they are wearing the flag in a way that is artistic or beautiful, I would think it patriotic and would rather they wear it with pride than burn it with ignorance.
I also agree with a previous comment, that some are also young in their new military/military spouse life and careers. They are doing what they feel is flattering in it's own light.

I agree with you except for the flag/ uniform thing. Wearing your husband's blouse or just a flag in a Boudouir shoot isn't claiming to have earned anything. Now, if they say crap like they earned their spouse's rank, that's a WHOLE other ball game.