I had a discussion last night with a man who believes it is okay to dress up as a soldier for halloween to include wearing rank and badges. I stated that it was illegal to impersonate a soldier regardless of the occassion. I said that I uniform must be earned and it should not be worn as a costume. This has created a major debate. Comments?

When I get back i plan on cutting down a pair of my ACU's and having my fiance wear LBE like GI Jane while i wear a taliban costume from clothes i picked up over here. I think we would make an interesting pair at a party.

Besides, later on she can "capture" me and do a little interrogation.

Correct me if im wrong, but if i remember correctly movies for example, are allowed to use a uniform as long as there is one thing wrong with the wear of it.

I personally wouldnt have a problem with it as long as he didnt do something stupid that someone would interpret as someone that was actually in the military doing it.

With the uniform comes responsiblity

We're talking a full grown man? This is not a child trick-or-treating as a cop, fireman, or soldier. Yes it's wrong. He has no right to impersonate a military member unless he has earned that right. He sounds like a weenie.

Laws vary among the states. I doubt if the wearing of the uniform is illegal unless he uses/abuses that impersonated position in relation to another crime.

If he wants to wear a uniform, tell him to joinup and EARN it - -

It bugs me to even see movie folk wear them if they haven't served. Look at Nicholson's rip down of Marines as a colonel in "A Few Good Men." I know the military services have too much class to call out people on that kind of portrayal - but it still stinks up the image.

So what does this guy plan to do in uniform? If he stinks up the place, all future, present, and former GIs get stuck with the sewage!

We don't live in a pefect world and sometimes others aren't as forgiving as the church ladies my wife has tea with.

If your guy was in a bar and recognized as a fake in uniform, I could see him becoming an ''aided case''.

quote:

Originally posted by soldier_117:
Correct me if im wrong, but if i remember correctly movies for example, are allowed to use a uniform as long as there is one thing wrong with the wear of it.

I personally wouldn't have a problem with it as long as he didn't do something stupid that someone would interpret as someone that was actually in the military doing it.

With the uniform comes responsiblity

That is true. But, the error must be conspicuous. That is why there are so many screw ups in proper military protocol in films. Sure, it is also due to completely ignorant people in the "industry". But, it is also an agreement between the services and the industry.

Personally, I don't mind anybody dressing up as a service-member for Halloween. You already know that their uniform, military bearing and customs are going to be all jacked up. So, it will be QUITE evident that they are not a REAL service-member. But, I commend anybody doing it. I see it as support for our soldiers, sailors and airmen. Nobody else has the balls these days to dress as a service-member unless they support the services. So, I see it as a positive. Shoot, maybe it will inspire them to raise their right hand. Who knows?

For regular civilians, all of the services have an air of "guts" that the regular Joe has not and will never know. So, for them it is a fantasy. I revel in that idea. We have done what others don't have the balls to do. We put our name on that bottom line. Even with the current political climate, they all still have a hidden envy for our work. Shoot, taking a look at most of the popular film work shows that our jobs are a fancy of the general population. Not because it is undesirable, but because it is a "dream" to them. But, we all have realized that dream.

It really is quite a thought... Isn't it?

According to AR 670-1 I,as a retiree, am permitted to wear the Class A uniform on special occations. There is even a special sholder patch to wear showing I am a retiree. I will wear PT tee shirts and my old brown under shirts but I halt at wearing BDUs or DCUs. I have concidered wearing my flight jacket later when it gets colder. To see people who are not entitled to wear the uniform as a custome (execpt as a stage prop) just rubs me the wrong way too.

I think it's fine if a child is doing it to tricker treet in. But no adults.
I have worn my camo uniforms out archery hunting now that I'm retired. But I remove patches and rank.

Hey, I wear my old coveralls when I work on my cars. But, I only use those coveralls that are self-designated "painting coveralls".

I don't know if y'all will hate me for his but, I have worn my hubby's uniform...we were playing hide and seek and I used it to hide better...just messing around...I wasn't wearing it correctly...the top don't fit...I leave it open with a shirt underneath...I sometimes wear a top of his he gave me from when he was in the Marine corps... I didn't realize it was disrespectful...he always took it as a compliment... sorry if it was offensive

Shoot, I welcome any gal to wear my uniform. Because, if she is wearing my uniform, then that means I am naked and ready for business. And, that HAS to be a good thing.... RIGHT???

LOL, something like that...my hubby likes when i play soldier...he loves to see a women in uniform bossing him around...haha I know, I am sick!

I don’t think anyone minds a child playing a soldier with ma and pa. An adult is different. Ill admit I found myself wanting to wear them (I think it’s the best dam uniform around) but I knew there were real soldiers who were out and trick-or-treating with there young ones and told myself it would not be or feel right. It’s nice for someone wanting to but as everyone said, “You have to earn it” . I have to say the same go’s for a cop, because just as easily as you can look like a soldier, man can some people look like a real cop! (Kind of freaky if you think about it)

(Although I said adult, I don’t mind a woman in a uniform! lol Thanks to 10tenths and mrssgtsupergrunt for getting me to think about it)

Little kids in "uniform" costumes is fine, but adults, absolutely not. I know some of think they are "honoring" the military by doing this, but I don't like it.

Historic uniforms, maybe, if it's done right. But not current uniforms.

S7

quote:

Originally posted by Tjboy99:
I don’t think anyone minds a child playing a soldier with ma and pa. An adult is different. Ill admit I found myself wanting to wear them (I think it’s the best dam uniform around) but I knew there were real soldiers who were out and trick-or-treating with there young ones and told myself it would not be or feel right. It’s nice for someone wanting to but as everyone said, “You have to earn it” . I have to say the same go’s for a cop, because just as easily as you can look like a soldier, man can some people look like a real cop! (Kind of freaky if you think about it)

(Although I said adult, I don’t mind a woman in a uniform! lol Thanks to 10tenths and mrssgtsupergrunt for getting me to think about it)

not a problem, at first I was like oh no, they are gonna hate me...but I think i do enough to earn the right to wear his shirt once in a while...it means a lot to him, and has gotten me through some pretty rough times, made me feel strong! seems like not to many people mind...that is good!

I know there is a Valor Act or something similar meaning that it is now illegal to impersonate a soldier. But I need clarification as to if it is only impersonating with the uniform and medals or if it includes just uniform and rank. I'd like to present the facts. As of now this neighbor thinks that I have no clue what I am talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by mrssgtsupergrunt:

quote:

Originally posted by Tjboy99:
I don’t think anyone minds a child playing a soldier with ma and pa. An adult is different. Ill admit I found myself wanting to wear them (I think it’s the best dam uniform around) but I knew there were real soldiers who were out and trick-or-treating with there young ones and told myself it would not be or feel right. It’s nice for someone wanting to but as everyone said, “You have to earn it” . I have to say the same go’s for a cop, because just as easily as you can look like a soldier, man can some people look like a real cop! (Kind of freaky if you think about it)

(Although I said adult, I don’t mind a woman in a uniform! lol Thanks to 10tenths and mrssgtsupergrunt for getting me to think about it)

not a problem, at first I was like oh no, they are gonna hate me...but I think i do enough to earn the right to wear his shirt once in a while...it means a lot to him, and has gotten me through some pretty rough times, made me feel strong! seems like not to many people mind...that is good!

I think that is very true. Both of you are having a great time doing it and I don’t think anyone is going to think its wrong. It’s more of being out in the public and wearing the uniform for just a holiday or for fun when that person never really earned it . If someone was in uniform and is a complete jerk or disgracing the uniform by acting in ways a real military person would not act, then the old saying come’s “ one bad apple spoils the bunch”. The next man to walk up to a door wearing a real military outfit will be look at with bad thoughts. So really it should be left for real military persons (Kids and Loved ones) and others should just were a costume from a movie military that looks completely different.

And I do agree you have earned it and have my full support!

thanx.....I know my FRG was doing a halloween party and I was thinking to myself...I wonder how many wifes or kids are gonna show up in daddy's uniform? I don't want a real a-hole to wear it, but this guy might be military family or friend, where did he get the uniform from..he has to be related or at least friends....I think any military member that handed him the uniform looked at the guys personality and probably knew hm

FOr my $0.02 ... I got no problem if someone wears a "de militariezed" uniform for Halloween. With out patches, ranks, medals ect. The kind of stuff you get at the local Army / Navy surplus store. But I do take issue with a FULL and CORRECT uniform being worn by some one that didn't earn it.