Posted on Jul 1, 2018
Is it disrespectful for a civilian to wear a woodland camo pattern BDU?
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I tend to go to thrift shops and find good deals, a complete set of 1980s woodland camo uniform, minus the name tape, branch tape rank, unit and flag patches, and qualification badge being one of those deals with an 8-point cap. Is it disrespectful or illegal to wear the uniform to a Fourth of July parade as a salute to veterans and current service members? Just asking so no one screams “Stolen valor!” or gets the wrong idea. I myself am a civilian and my buddy and I want to join the military.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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Were I in your situation, PFC (Join to see), I would not wear what you propose. I think a simple handshake and a “thank you” would be sufficient.
However, if there are no patches, badges, name tapes, branch of service tapes on the uniform or hat, they’re just clothes.
I still think it might be perceived incorrectly, and you might get the opposite result that you intend.
LTC Kevin B. MSgt David Hoffman
However, if there are no patches, badges, name tapes, branch of service tapes on the uniform or hat, they’re just clothes.
I still think it might be perceived incorrectly, and you might get the opposite result that you intend.
LTC Kevin B. MSgt David Hoffman
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LTC Stephen C.
That’s a good decision, PFC (Join to see). Incidentally, I never suggested that you intended to impersonate a service member. You asked a question, and I answered it with great specificity.
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PFC (Join to see)
I only say that because due to my 5 foot 11 height and my overall appearance, some people have mistaken me to be older than I am and therefore has cause some misunderstandings.
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LTC Stephen C.
PFC Jeff Langer II, if you’re referring to my comments, you know you’ve taken them out of context. I recommended he NOT wear such clothing.
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PFC (Join to see), While I admire the intent you have, I will echo LTC Stephen C. and MSgt David Hoffman. As a retired veteran, I would rather see someone wear a patriotic pin or t-shirt and shake my hand as to simulate the uniform I sweat, bled, and shed tears in. Others might not see the tribute you intend and react in ways you are not expecting.
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PFC (Join to see)
As I said and has been pointed out, I will not be wearing the uniform. Since I don’t have a shirt that says support our veterans, I will slap my B-17, USS Yorktown, American flag, and West Virginian pins on my hat, take a man’s hand, look him in the eye, and thank him for his service, as I did with two 82nd Airbrine vets and a few others.
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It’s not necessarily disrespectful, but I’ve always found it to be a little weird and confusing.
I mean, doctors are awesome. They save lives every day. They are thanked every day. I don’t think anyone throws on a pair of scrubs and white lab coat and a stethoscope as a “salute to doctors”.
Additionally, it could be a bit confusing to others watching, thinking that that tributeer could actually be a doctor himself.
Disrespectful, no. Weird and confusing, yes.
I mean, doctors are awesome. They save lives every day. They are thanked every day. I don’t think anyone throws on a pair of scrubs and white lab coat and a stethoscope as a “salute to doctors”.
Additionally, it could be a bit confusing to others watching, thinking that that tributeer could actually be a doctor himself.
Disrespectful, no. Weird and confusing, yes.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree with you, but a possible counter point would be that people, myself included, wear sports jerseys all the time to show support for their favorite teams. However, I freely admit that my wearing of said jerseys is a manifestation of my “wannabe” status, so there’s that.
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SGT (Join to see)
You wear a football jersey. But you don’t wear the full shoulder pads, helmet, pants/pads, cleats, etc.
That would be weird and confusing.
That would be weird and confusing.
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