Uniforms and the wearing of....

[Helidriver]

I have worn uniforms pretty much straight since I was 17, so about half my life. It started with a summerjob driving tractors, the two piece uniform was blue, and had the name of the company on the back. Then I wore all sorts of uniforms during 4 years of army service, from shiny medal endowed parade to dirty smelly field. From I was 23 years old I have worn pilot uniforms ranging from a polo-shirt to a nomex suit with police badges, and now I wear a white shirt and black trousers ala airline pilots. To me they are just an article of clothing I wear to work. I would much rather wear a polo-shirt than a white shirt with epaulettes, but it's it what I have been told to wear, so I wear it.

Now, I don't mean to say I'm not proud of wearing a uniform, especially in the Army. I was proud of my accomplishment and what it symbolized.

What I didn't do, and still don't do, is wearing it to show off. I have had a few times when I have been called out on wearing a uniform outside of work, and been called a poser, wannabe, a-hole and other words to that effect.

Well, the times it happened I was on my way either to or from work, and I couldn't be bothered to change. When I worked for the police on an island in the caribbean I used to stop in a small local grocery store close to my house on the way home. It was way outside the touristy area, and the locals new me and didn't care what I wore. Now and then some tourists would be in there and without fail I would get comments about the flight suit and showing off and "who do you think you are" etc. I don't think I am/was anyone but myself, on my way from work and stopping for a gallon of milk. I don't feel I am any different from the bank clerk or postal worker that I met there almost every time I shopped, also in uniform. They never got any comments hurled at them. Some of my co-workers even commented that I should drive past the grocery store to my house, change, then get out again and drive back to buy milk or whatever!! Here is my question...if you think so highly of yourself or your uniform that you feel you need to change so you don't show off....isn't that showing off in a way? I just don't get it.

In my present job I fly from Nigeria to the States every other month, so 6 times a year. On departure day we work until about 1hr before we go home. Some of the pilots rush to their rooms to change, or even just change out of the white shirt so as no to "be show offs" at the airport. I wear mine until aboard the plane, as it eases the passage through immigration in Nigeria, and once in a blue moon I get a curtesy upgrade to first class. When in the plane I put on a sweatshirt to not be confused with the crew. Again, what is the big deal....I'm not trying to show off, and I couldn't care less....at an international airport I'm just one more guy in a pilot uniform, and no-one but the "show off police" seems to care. At my lay over in Amsterdam I take a shower and change out of my uniform (having kept my sweatshirt on of course!), not to come on until a month later...back in Nigeria.

One more rant, and this one I'm looking for advice on actually...

During my army service (Royal Norwegian Army) I spent close to 3 years deployed overseas, some it stationed in US camps. Like everyone else we shopped at the PX, and I bought a T-shirt and a couple of sweatshirts that say ARMY across the front. I wore them during my army service, in US army camps and no one had a thing to say about it. Now, if I put one of the sweatshirts on I get comments that I was never in the US ARMY, and shouldn't wear it....mostly by civilians I must add. I don't want to create any ill feelings towards the serving and former US ARMY personell, so I ask....should I not wear the sweat shirt? I am more than willing to stop wearing it if it offends service members.

Apologise for the rant....(I was accused of showing off by my brother in law yesterday. My freshly ironed white shirt (WITH epaulettes...how dare I??) hung on a door in my mother in laws house after she ironed it for me. (we do laundry at her house to cut cost. He himself is a NYC court officer that makes sure everyone knows about it, but NEVER sees the uniforms...'cause that would be showing off!!)

Rant over...

Ken

[bugs3144]

By all means, wear it. Just because it says ARMY across the front doesn't mean anything. If someone asks, tell them that you served your time in the military. I was in the US Air Force but have a sweat that says marines because my son gave it to me. Wear ir and be proud.

Frank

ATL

[Jennings]

I have a t-shirt that says Boeing and I never worked for Boeing. I have a t-shirt that says Belize National Fire Service and I never worked for them either. What's the big deal? If anyone has anything to say about what *you* wear, then *they* are the one with the problem, not you. Tell them to mind their own business.

[T0M4ever]

It wouldn't surprise me if it was some form of jealousy.

I know lots of people who have British Olympic kit from 2008, but have never been near an Olympic squad. Nobody cares though because they know the people wearing it are not pretending that they were, they just wear it because it's training kit and a friend gave it to them.

[Phantom ordie]

I joined the Navy in 1957. Then we had to wear our uniform on and off base. We were not allowed to have civilian clothes on base or aboard ship. If we were married and living off base we were lucky we could change at home. It felt really good to change into civies. But if we went to the exchange or commisary with our wives we had to wear a uniform. If you wern't married you could get a locker at the bus station or YMCA. It was very inconvenient.Admiral Zumwalt came along and eased things off somewhat. I see policemen and military people all the time in uniform and don't have a problem with it. I am proud to see them and I don't think they are showing off rather it is a convenince for them not having to change. Mabye those who critizise are just envious.Wear it proudly!

Edited December 2, 2011 by Phantom ordie

[JasonW]

My girlfriend wears some of my old Army t-shirts and she was never in the Army. Sometimes I see college kids that were never in the service wearing old fatigues. Big deal.

As long as you're not wearing anything that displays medals you didn't get awarded or you're not trying to portray yourself as something you weren't (i.e you were a PFC and you're wearing LTC rank or something....) I personally don't see ANY problem with wearing old uniform stuff. I'm no longer in and I STILL wear my old woodland camo Gortex jacket I got while in the Army during the winter here (especially during snow storms and shoveling) because quite simply it is the most functional article of winter clothing I have come across in my 39 years.

Wearing old uniform stuff is not an issue and anybody who tries to make it an issue just doesn't have anything better to do.

[Winnie]

Just to say the same Ken (By the way, vi er fra Norge begge to!)

I was in the Royal Norwegian Navy, for about 5 years, and I have shopped at PX's around the world as well(or NEX), and I to ogot hte shirts with NAVY on the front. I hold lots of pride in having been in the Navy, regardless of which one, and don't see it as a problem. IF our shirts had sai US Army or US Navy then I could see the problem. As it does not, what is the big deal..

The morons can STFU for all I care.

I too occasionally wear the flight suit to and from work, and can't really see the problem. When I worked at HAI, there where guys that used to go to the airport in full uniform (slacks, shirt and epaulettes) and hand their business card and pilots license to the gate agent, and get frr rides from airlines to wherever they where going, simply on the merit that they where in uniform. woiuld not be able to do that today ofcourse, but still..

Some people are just so jealous I guess that they have to make a statement. and if they do, I find a quick finger helps.

Cheers

H.

[phantom]

To wear my current uniform (prisons) in the wrong neighbourhood can get me shot.

Crap, only shot at once (officially) in my army uniform.

However I DO wear my uniform to and from work. I just am careful where I go should I have to do something on the way home.

[Wayne S]

There is pretty much one word that stops arguments like this.

The word is "So".

Another words even if one is showing off, so what.

[Hal Marshman Sr]

As an employee of Eastern Airlines, I wore my uniforms back and forth from work. I've found that the folks who have something to say actually hate or are jealous of airlines personnel. They think it's a glamorous job, and envy us the flying benefits. My personal opinion? The hell with them and their petty jealousies. Wear your uniform proudly, and always remember you're in the public eye, and folks will judge your airline by your behavior. Just don't let the perry ones get to you. Hal Sr

[Tankcommander]

I look at it as a way of expressing support for the Army. I wear my BDUs to do yard work especially working on a ladder, the pockets really come in handy. The people who critize are losers and wanabees.

The thing that really ticks me off are the posers who put on complete camo and boots but never served a day. The airsoft crew who have more gear then a soldier in Afgahanastan are a real joke. Losers with a capital L.

TC

[skidbuggy]

I have a t-shirt that says Boeing and I never worked for Boeing.

I wore my Boeing shirt at the Airbus schoolhouse in Miami when I was being brainwashed on the A320 a couple of jobs ago.... I was asked to remove the garment or leave the property.

I thought it was funny. They didn't.

Oh well...

[Cap'n Wannabe]

I wore my Boeing shirt at the Airbus schoolhouse in Miami when I was being brainwashed on the A320 a couple of jobs ago.... I was asked to remove the garment or leave the property.

I thought it was funny. They didn't.

Oh well...

I used to work for a company that sold Autodesk software. We were provided with shirts with the company logo and the Autodesk logo on the front. Said company was owned by another company that sold Dassault Systemes software, and operated out of the same office. Every time the big shots from Dassault came around, we were told not to wear our Autodesk shirts, and remove any Autodesk marketing material for fear of upsetting them. Didn't work the other way when the Autodesk people came around, though..

[B-17 guy]

I dont see it as showing off at all. When I was in I used to have to stop for gas, coffee, cigarette's etc, never thought twice about it. I was just stopping to get something, if anything it was more of a pain because I had to put my hat/beret on then take it off again when I went into the store, etc..

If anybody would have called me a poser I might have told them to pi ss off and walked away.

As far as your sweatshirt goes, wear it. It's only a PT uniform anyway, I've got tons of old uniforms left, I've given BDU, DCU and ACU pants away. Comes in handy for working outside, or even paintball. Besides, it's your business, not there's.

And as far as your brother in law goes, he sounds like a big D-bag to me, just tell him to shut up.

[Diamondback Six]

As a historian and a sometime casual reenactor specializing in WWII, I've got a few cents to pitch in.<br><br>First, I generally dress in a style inspired by WWII dress khakis--it's more in keeping with my personal sense of comfort having been raised by a WWII-vet grandfather, it's very practical as business-casual, and it helps inspire the folks I'm educating to have a little more confidence that I know my stuff on a subconscious level. That said, I DO NOT wear any insignia unless reenacting, and then it's rank only--no medals, since I've never earned 'em, and with my shape I usually reenact as Staff, Command or a REMF.

Second, BDU's and combat boots can also be very practical--my other casual wardrobe is the same 5.11's that a lot of Law Enforcement agencies issue. Not because of being a wannabe cop, but because I found that they had a blend of professional appearance, comfort and utility--chest pockets big enough to conceal a fullsize .45 freakin' rock--that suits me "just right." And in high-school PE, when we had to do long-endurance running I found that combat boots worked better for supporting my ankles than the cross-trainers everyone else wore.

If "Looking Professional" buys me a little Professional Courtesy I ain't gonna argue, but I'm not gonna claim to be something I'm not. If you're not either, just ask 'em "How 'Bout a Nice Hot Mug Of Shut The You-Know-What Up?"

Edited December 3, 2011 by Diamondback Six

[ALF18]

Wear it with pride, and "consider the source" of any negative comments... Don't listen to them.

When I went to the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, I had to wear uniforms constantly, even when going off campus to a store or out for the evening. In first year, we had to wear a blue uniform with a cap that looked like an organ grinder's monkey's hat. At night, you had to wear a cape with the outfit.

I've had teenagers throw rocks at me on Princess Street in Kingston, nattering "Batman!"; I've had yahoos honk and flash me the finger from their cars as they drove by. We used to be told "it builds character" - and it certainly did.

I've also had old men go out of their way to hold a door for me, and had total strangers come and say how much they appreciated my service. Years later, as I wore my flying suit as I had lunch at airports where I had stopped for fuel (with my CF-18 fighter parked on the ramp), strangers would either stare or even come and ask what it was like, or how they could become military pilots. It took years for me to become used to the looks and the varied reactions, but after 20 years it became easy.

I see so many wanna-bees wearing mock flying jackets or other outfits that just make me roll my eyes. But when I see a dude earning his living, wearing a uniform of any kind (and wearing it proudly), I respect that. Now that I have been a civilian for 15+ years, I enjoy being dressed like I please, but don't mind when the job dictates a kind of uniform. Teaching business jet pilots to fly - wearing a Bombardier logo polo shirt. Teaching in the CF-18 simulator - wearing a company logo shirt. And now, teaching at an aviation college, conforming to the dress code but with a wide margin for acceptable attire, life is good. One thing we teach the kids going through the pilot course at our college is that they should dress the part. Aspiring airline pilots are encouraged to get used to wearing white shirts with lapels, with or without ties. Bush pilots and helo pilots wear appropriate flight clothing for their environments. Clients expect that - they need to be reassured that the person flying the aircraft is a pro doing his job. By looking and dressing the part, the pilots are doing what they need to inspire trust and confidence.

So don't let them get you down!

ALF

Edited December 3, 2011 by ALF18

[JasonW]

I used to work for a company that sold Autodesk software. We were provided with shirts with the company logo and the Autodesk logo on the front. Said company was owned by another company that sold Dassault Systemes software, and operated out of the same office. Every time the big shots from Dassault came around, we were told not to wear our Autodesk shirts, and remove any Autodesk marketing material for fear of upsetting them. Didn't work the other way when the Autodesk people came around, though..

On a related note regarding shirts, we do some work a local distribution facility and one of the facilities we do work in used to be owned by another company that was bought out. Most of the holdover employees of the original company that were retained still come to work wearing their old company shirts, not sure if this is to stick it to "the man" or what, but I find it amusing.

Dassault Systems came to visit me at work and try to get us to buy the software of which you speak. We use Autodesk and they've been trying to get us to switch over to their product. Gave us a free CAD software called Draftsight. I was not impressed with it and found it less than optimal for the work I do. I've been an AutoCAD guy since high school, so I may be biased a bit but I just know my way around the customization and user interface in AutoCAD much better and can configure it to help me get the most out of the software. I actually wore an Autodesk golf shirt the last time the Dassault salesman visited. Wonder if he got the message? :)

[Chorse6]

As a former Army IG, you're fine. I have seen old-timers and some young Soldiers try to say that stuff and they are incorrect. Technically (I believe by federal statute and Army reg) you're allowed to wear one item of uniform clothing while off-duty or civilian. Of course you can't use military clothing to pass yourself off as a Soldier (obviously you're not).

I have seen numerous spouses where Army stuff; I'm sure you can wear it better than they do (I won't specify my remark). :D

Edited December 3, 2011 by Chorse6

[Helidriver]

Thanks guys,

I'm glad to hear people "in the know" saying its ok to wear the Army shirt. It's really comfy, and afer all these years it just fits right. I'm proud of my service, and it's a reminder of my time "in green".

And I am in full agreement about the pain in the butt of having to put on and take off the beret all the time...but I still cringe when I see people walk around inside with one on...

As for my brother in law, yea...I'm ignoring him on a daily basis...I just lost it a little and had to vent, and you fine people were on the receiving end.

I just feel like some of my colleauges take themselves a little bit to seriously when they feel like they have to hide what they do for a living in fear of "showing off". Seems a bit pompous to me.

[Cap'n Wannabe]

On a related note regarding shirts, we do some work a local distribution facility and one of the facilities we do work in used to be owned by another company that was bought out. Most of the holdover employees of the original company that were retained still come to work wearing their old company shirts, not sure if this is to stick it to "the man" or what, but I find it amusing.

Dassault Systems came to visit me at work and try to get us to buy the software of which you speak. We use Autodesk and they've been trying to get us to switch over to their product. Gave us a free CAD software called Draftsight. I was not impressed with it and found it less than optimal for the work I do. I've been an AutoCAD guy since high school, so I may be biased a bit but I just know my way around the customization and user interface in AutoCAD much better and can configure it to help me get the most out of the software. I actually wore an Autodesk golf shirt the last time the Dassault salesman visited. Wonder if he got the message? :)

My job was to demonstrate, instruct, and provide tech support on AutoCAD and Inventor software (plus a couple of other programs..) At one stage, it was decided to cross-train us Autodesk folk on Catia and the Catia guys on Inventor. The Catia guys had always given us stick because they considered Inventor an inferior product - it's not as powerful as Catia, but it's also not aimed at the same market. They came away from their training singing Inventor's praises....I found Catia to be incredibly clunky to use despite its power.

I use Draftsight at home for quick'n'dirty stuff, only because it's free. Like you, I know my way around AutoCAD customisation, and prefer it for 2D work.....3D I use Inventor all the way..

[rightwinger26]

I wear my BDU's to and from work every single day. Now, Navy policy says that we can only stop in civilian places for a brief stop, i.e., to buy milk, get gas, ect, but we can also wear them to eat during normal working hours, and I have NO problem doing it, I went to lunch with the wife yesterday. Now of course there are some people that have no business saying anything that do, and mainly its the people that hate the Navy (seems to be a lot of that here). My neighbor is one in that catagory, thier kid actually had the nerve to call me "high and mighty" one day while I was walking to my truck. But the point is, I could care less, I've been serving for fifteen years, and wearing my uniform to and from work is the most convinient, I walk in the door and I'm ready to go, and when the day is over, I grab my id and I'm gone. I don't ear it to impress people, or to walk around as though I'm better than everybody, to me, this is my job, nothing special. So wear your uniform, and wear it proud.

[B-1 Nut]

I have a t-shirt that says "world's greatest Dad". I'm probably not in the top 10.

I kid.....I kid.

I have a fighter pilot helmet in my office and I've never flown in one.

I have a friend who marched in a parade as a member of the 101st Airborne from WWII.....He's 28 years old.

I think if you are pretending to be something you're not, then that can be construed as "poser-ish", etc.

If you simply wear something because you like it, go for it and tell everyone else to go jump a creek.

My stock in what others think of me dwindles every year.

[Sunliner]

Strange...I have never heard anyone giving a service member grief about a uniform. I hate that there are those who do.

I grew up living in between a USN SeaBee base and Keesler AFB and I now live about an hour from NAS Jacksonville. Been around a lot of military and never heard any verbal abuse. Again, it makes me mad that people would say something negative about someone in uniform.

That said, I'm a civilian and I have and often wear t-shirts I've bought from various squadrons. I liken it to how most of us wear shirts and caps from our favorite football/soccer/baseball team though most of us never played. Every now and then if I'm wearing a squadron shirt, someone will ask if I was in whatever unit is on the shirt, but I've never had a derogatory remark, more like they are admiring it. I do clearly state that I wasn't in the military and just chose to support the coffee mess/beer fund by buying a shirt.

-Mike

[Jinxter13]

Reasons be damned........who worked, earned the money legally and who paid for it?!....'nuff said.

[Camus272]

That said, I'm a civilian and I have and often wear t-shirts I've bought from various squadrons. I liken it to how most of us wear shirts and caps from our favorite football/soccer/baseball team though most of us never played. Every now and then if I'm wearing a squadron shirt, someone will ask if I was in whatever unit is on the shirt, but I've never had a derogatory remark, more like they are admiring it. I do clearly state that I wasn't in the military and just chose to support the coffee mess/beer fund by buying a shirt.

-Mike

This was my thought as well. I buy some of the squadron shirts, mostly from Nellis, although I've never been in the military. When some idiot questions if I've ever been in that squadron I usually say have you ever played for the (whatever pro football or baseball team they are wearing). The only bad experience I had was wearing a shirt of the 65th Aggressor squadron to an airshow. I had a couple of idiots threatening to kick my teeth in for being a "commie." I wonder what would happen if they said that to a USAF pilot from the 65th.