What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?

[Spitfireace]

The garbageman on truck noticed my N-1 while I was out for a morning walk,

asked me if I was previously in the USN. Turns out he was from California and in the navy there in the past. Some people do notice.

 

[Chandler]

The garbageman on truck noticed my N-1 while I was out for a morning walk, View attachment 86516asked me if I was previously in the USN. Turns out he was from California and in the navy there in the past. Some people do notice.

FWIW -- I was wearing a W&G Bedford cord summer FJ one time -- same sort of stencil as your N-1 -- and was asked if I was in the Navy.

My "no" reply garnered a somewhat stern look. I never wore that one again.

That's why I shy away from insignia -- really not looking to be disrespectful.

 

[B-Man2]

Chandler
I wouldn’t let the opinion of one or for that matter a couple of people dissuade me from wearing a military or USN marked jacket. When asked if I was in the service of whatever jacket I happen to be wearing I simply respond “No … I wasn’t…. but the jacket was and I’m wearing the jacket as a tribute to that branch of the military and the people who served there.”

 

[JonnyCrow]

Chandler
I wouldn’t let the opinion of one or for that matter a couple of people dissuade me from wearing a military or USN marked jacket. When asked if I was in the service of whatever jacket I happen to be wearing I simply respond “No … I wasn’t…. but the jacket was and I’m wearing the jacket as a tribute to that branch of the military and the people who served there.”View attachment 86518

Burt add into that the tons of military surplus for sale in stores and amount of fashion companies and others remaking military style with patches, insignia on, it's a bit of a half arsed question to be questioned, again no disrespect, people will wear what they want to wear eh

 

[Chandler]

"No … I wasn’t…. but the jacket was and I’m wearing the jacket as a tribute to that branch of the military and the people who served there.”

I'll have to try to keep that answer in my head -- which is in my heart, because of the respect I carry. But there's still no way I'm going to add rank tabs or chevrons to anything I wear.

As an addendum -- I was wearing my N-3B while shopping with my wife this morning. There were 2 Vietnam vets in the store (obvious by their caps).

The 2 both eye-balled me a little, but never said anything, though I waited. Would definitely have shown them the respect they're due.

 

[Spitfireace]

I said no, but I was in the Canadian Navy. So I do feel somewhat like I can be justified. Should you have to feel justified?

 

[Chandler]

Burt add into that the tons of military surplus for sale in stores and amount of fashion companies and others remaking military style with patches, insignia on, it's a bit of a half arsed question to be questioned, again no disrespect, people will wear what they want to wear eh

But don't you think there's only a small percentage of us out here who recognize that?

I know very few people who do -- including the woman I live with.

I can quote her favorite response, "Really?"

 

[Chandler]

Should you have to feel justified?

It's probably a mix of respect for those who have served and a bit guilty because I haven't?

 

[JonnyCrow]

I'll have to try to keep that answer in my head -- which is in my heart, because of the respect I carry. But there's still no way I'm going to add rank tabs or chevrons to anything I wear.

As an addendum -- I was wearing my N-3B while shopping with my wife this morning. There were 2 Vietnam vets in the store (obvious by their caps).

The 2 both eye-balled me a little, but never said anything, though I waited. Would definitely have shown them the respect they're due.

I'll have to try to keep that answer in my head -- which is in my heart, because of the respect I carry. But there's still no way I'm going to add rank tabs or chevrons to anything I wear.

As an addendum -- I was wearing my N-3B while shopping with my wife this morning. There were 2 Vietnam vets in the store (obvious by their caps).

The 2 both eye-balled me a little, but never said anything, though I waited. Would definitely have shown them the respect they're due.

I think rank is different, at least all of this isn't as bad as Mitty's walting around as veterans with stolen honour

 

[Spitfireace]

It's probably a mix of respect for those who have served and a bit guilty because I haven't?

I think it's a bit of "you haven't put in the work or commitment" to wear the insignia. As a past member of the military I feel that. So ya, I feel I have a leg to stand on, when someone asks me if I have served.

 

[JonnyCrow]

But don't you think there's only a small percentage of us out here who recognize that?

I know very few people who do -- including the woman I live with.

I can quote her favorite response, "Really?"

Yep Chandler, I wear jackets with patches on etc and the small amount of bods on the street wouldn't recognise air corps from their arse at least not American air corps here in Europe haha

 

[Chandler]

... at least all of this isn't as bad as Mitty's walking around as veterans with stolen honour

My old nextdoor neighbor (since moved, but we keep in touch and grab lunch often) is an in-country Vietnam vet.

There's a new bumper-sticker out there that proclaims "Vietnam Era Vet." I asked him what he thought of those. I got a sidewise look that answered it all.

I can respect anyone who served (or is serving), but there's a certain sense of glory-grabbing in a statement like that.

Claiming to actually be a vet is beyond reproach.

 

[Spitfireace]

To be honest though, I never see anybody wearing real military jackets. They are all obvious mall fakes. So that doesn't bother me, because the people wearing them don't really think about it probably.

 

[Spitfireace]

The real in country people don't want to talk about it.

 

[Chandler]

The real in country people don't want to talk about it.

My neighbor has given me some insight.

Family friends and a favorite HS teacher, as well.

Privileged to hear their memories.

 

[Spitfireace]

Cool. I never faced battle. Those are the real vets. That's why I say I served but I'm not a vet.

 

[JonnyCrow]

My old nextdoor neighbor (since moved, but we keep in touch and grab lunch often) is an in-country Vietnam vet.

There's a new bumper-sticker out there that proclaims "Vietnam Era Vet." I asked him what he thought of those. I got a sidewise look that answered it all.

I can respect anyone who served (or is serving), but there's a certain sense of glory-grabbing in a statement like that.

Claiming to actually be a vet is beyond reproach.

Big thing here in UK and Europe, there's a Facebook group that roots out walts

 

[Spitfireace]

Outs people claiming to be a vet. Cool.

 

[JonnyCrow]

Outs people claiming to be a vet. Cool.

Oh believe me the Walter Mitty hunters club really go to town on them and make them publicly apologize, it's run by vets and serving, one of them said once jeez now there must of been 1000 SAS on that Iranian embassy balcony in London by now haha

 

[Chandler]

Cool. I never faced battle. Those are the real vets. That's why I say I served but I'm not a vet.

You still took the initiative. Good on you.

My only excuse was "I didn't have to." I was 2 stamps away from going to the US AF Academy after college... and a job came up. Still haven't figured out if I made the right choice.