Is it okay to wear a US service hat?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it okay to wear a US service hat?
I was last over in Europe in late 1969 and it was sometimes not the friendliest time to be in Europe for GI's. I can switch out to some other hat if need be.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<IMHO it is totally inappropriate and disrespectful to wear the hat without the full uniform. If you are not in the services - what's going on?>>
That's a ludicrous statement. Vets wear baseball caps noting their former branch, unit, and other information (POW/MIA pins, regiment/division pins, time of service) at events celebrating and acknowledging military service all the time. And they certainly wear such acoutrements at Normandy where they are by no means being either inappropriate nor disrespectful.
That's a ludicrous statement. Vets wear baseball caps noting their former branch, unit, and other information (POW/MIA pins, regiment/division pins, time of service) at events celebrating and acknowledging military service all the time. And they certainly wear such acoutrements at Normandy where they are by no means being either inappropriate nor disrespectful.
#10
I agree w/ spark chaser - I think (hope anyway) you are actually asking about a baseball cap w/ the insignia of one of the military services. Certainly not a 'Service cap'
If so, no problem - there are ball caps of every sort and no one will notice (also sure hope you are one of those who wears a cap all day every day inside or outside . . . )
If so, no problem - there are ball caps of every sort and no one will notice (also sure hope you are one of those who wears a cap all day every day inside or outside . . . )
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who would notice.
Other servicemen. And thieves.
And servicewomen.
But I'm also confused. Servicefolks on active duty don't wear their uniform caps with civilian clothes -- is that what you intend?
s
Other servicemen. And thieves.
And servicewomen.
But I'm also confused. Servicefolks on active duty don't wear their uniform caps with civilian clothes -- is that what you intend?
s
#12
>>Servicefolks on active duty don't wear their uniform caps with civilian clothes -- is that what you intend? <<
I sort of doubt active duty is relevant since the OP last visited Europe (presumably on active duty) <u>45 years ago</u>.
I sort of doubt active duty is relevant since the OP last visited Europe (presumably on active duty) <u>45 years ago</u>.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm asking if the OP intends to wear an actual uniform cap with civilan clothes, and that is relevant.
I ought to have said, "EVEN servicefolks on active duty don't . . ."
I'm retired, and I just don't see the allure of wearing bits of my uniform.
s
I ought to have said, "EVEN servicefolks on active duty don't . . ."
I'm retired, and I just don't see the allure of wearing bits of my uniform.
s
#15
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the question is sincere, it begs the question why would you want to wear a U.S. military hat abroad?
The American military is not beloved everywhere. And no one should underestimate the rise of fanaticism and lunatic behavior. Wearing a U.S. military hat as a clothing accessory in a foreign country has the potential of attracting unwanted attention. As a tourist, unwanted attention can lead to unexpected events.
I'm not a fan of testing fate. I would leave the military hat home and wear something that won't remind strangers in a foreign land of death, destruction, and war.
The American military is not beloved everywhere. And no one should underestimate the rise of fanaticism and lunatic behavior. Wearing a U.S. military hat as a clothing accessory in a foreign country has the potential of attracting unwanted attention. As a tourist, unwanted attention can lead to unexpected events.
I'm not a fan of testing fate. I would leave the military hat home and wear something that won't remind strangers in a foreign land of death, destruction, and war.
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The point is, it does not matter what hat you wear. If you wear an actual uniform hat, you will look odd; if you wear a baseball cap with some service affiliation on it, you will look fine. In neither case will you be the target of anti-American sentiment, as you experienced in 1969.
I say this having traveled quite a bit in Europe with an American service member, who was sometimes in uniform. No one batted an eye.
I say this having traveled quite a bit in Europe with an American service member, who was sometimes in uniform. No one batted an eye.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you mean a baseball cap - wear whatever you want (but do take it off indoors).
If you mean an actual part of a uniform that is really inappropriate - unless you are participating in a specific event as a veteran. (My dad kept his WWII uniform - but the only thing he ever wore were his fatigues (on top of regular clothes for shoveling snow or other messy jobs).
If you mean an actual part of a uniform that is really inappropriate - unless you are participating in a specific event as a veteran. (My dad kept his WWII uniform - but the only thing he ever wore were his fatigues (on top of regular clothes for shoveling snow or other messy jobs).