Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My father was a navy pilot, finishing up in the F4 Phantom (IMO the prettiest bird out there). He died of a massive heart attack some 55 years ago but I am still quite proud of him. He would have been 100 this year.
Fast forward to recently. My wife bought me a Naval Aviator ball cap at some vendor mall. I'm a bit uncomfortable wearing it as it might give the impression that I am an aviator (I would have tried except for very poor eyesight and lackluster grades although I did get my glider license years ago).
I guess any sort of clothing that suggests you are or were what you are not, or never were, is sort of inappropriate. Interesting your sitch is the same as John Denver, his dad flew B-58's back in the day. I guess good eyesight does not "go" on the Y chromosome.
That said I don't see anything wrong with wearing a flight jacket in the winter, just a very practical piece of gear But mine does not have any sort of insignia on it. Sort of like the old Army fatigue jacket, as outdoor gear goes it's a but heavier than it has to be but it's cheap to buy as surplus, it's warm, and it's fairly rugged.
Me, I would put that cap in the closet. Tell the wife you like it but don't want to get it dirty.
I saw a man wearing a Tuskegee Airmen Hat/Cap at Walmart. It's obvious he did not serve in WW2 and thus, I think it was appropriate. However, wearing something that might indicate service where one did not serve and could be misleading to folks, is not appropriate.
My father was a navy pilot, finishing up in the F4 Phantom (IMO the prettiest bird out there). He died of a massive heart attack some 55 years ago but I am still quite proud of him. He would have been 100 this year.
Fast forward to recently. My wife bought me a Naval Aviator ball cap at some vendor mall. I'm a bit uncomfortable wearing it as it might give the impression that I am an aviator (I would have tried except for very poor eyesight and lackluster grades although I did get my glider license years ago).
Am I overthrowing this?
You are over thinking it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by webster
I saw a man wearing a Tuskegee Airmen Hat/Cap at Walmart. It's obvious he did not serve in WW2 and thus, I think it was appropriate. However, wearing something that might indicate service where one did not serve and could be misleading to folks, is not appropriate.
Here I disagree. It is a ball cap that keeps the sun off his head. If questions are asked he can explain that he is wearing it for his navy pilot father. Hell my dad wore my BDU cap with my E8 rank proudly sewn in the cap and last name on the back. He got a lot of thanks tossed for me. He never once claimed that honor. Just the honor of being my dad.
Please just wear it if you like it. Best is to find hats that signify his rank or time of service id Vietnam or S Korea. I hope this helps.
I don't necessarily think it's a big deal to wear it, as long as you acknowledge "I didn't serve. I wear it in honor of my father, who was a pilot." if you're ever asked about it. Hats and T-shirts like that are conversation starters sometimes. If you're upfront about it, I don't think too many people will give you a hard time about it. But that's my opinion and it's worth exactly what you paid for it.
A couple years ago, I was at a gas station and another guy and I were on pace to both enter the store at the same time. I saw he was wearing a Screaming Eagles hat. I walked quickly to get there first and hold the door for him. He said thank you and I said "Airborne!" He chuckled and said "I wasn't in. I just think it's a really cool looking hat." We both laughed and went about our day. No biggie.
If the hat is the kind that has a fabric adjustment strap in the back, maybe you could take it somewhere and have them embroider "Proud Son" or some such on it.
On the other hand....I inherited various unit jewelry like that of the Gary Owen, the 7th Cav. It is pretty clear I have never been in that unit (did attend a dinner once of theirs) but I could wear it if I decided to honor my Father who was in it.
FURTHER, I have seen lots of parents wearing ball caps of the units their children are in.
Finally, perhaps this is a custom of other times, but at least twice, I have been to affairs as the representative of another. To me, that is both a priv and a responsibility.
Wear it if you want to. If you don't want public interaction then don't.
This tends to be my position. I really don't care if people like what I'm wearing or not, though the risk of verbal or physical altercations by what I'd wear might make me choose otherwise. In this case, I would wear the hat. If someone had a question about it, I'd explain to them why I'm wearing it. But that's me.
Retired military here. I notice that wearing of clothing indicating one or another branch of service seems common. It is probably most common among parents of servicemen, but is widespread generally, probably as an indication of support. As long as you respond truthfully to any inquiries or comments, I do not see a problem. I hope my fellow veterans agree.
BTW, in fact I often wear an outdated Army camo cap, because they were individually sized cotton caps with a decent visor, and folded well, and were more readily available than the more appropriate but less functional Navy baseball caps.
Don't sweat the small stuff. AFAIK, you are not disturbing any one who matters.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
