glen
T/Sgt. 
Posts: 494
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Post by glen on Aug 20, 2009 17:58:38 GMT -5
As any one ever had worn there uniform out in public,what type reaction do you get from them? I had offten thought what what I would do if I had to ware my uniform out in public,is ok to do that?-Doc Jones  |
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Schultz
S/Sgt. 
Semper Paratus
Posts: 382
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Post by Schultz on Aug 20, 2009 18:01:01 GMT -5
It depends. I would not go grocery shopping in my uniform, but I've been out to eat in uniform with a group after a public event or an airshow. Some people will give you funny looks and other will give you a High five.
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glen
T/Sgt.
Posts: 494
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Post by glen on Aug 20, 2009 18:04:21 GMT -5
Right on!-Doc Jones  |
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Post by guitarmaster on Aug 20, 2009 19:18:54 GMT -5
Look at the thread about weird things people have said to you. Its on the 2nd or 3rd page here on General.
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Post by 33rdsignal on Aug 20, 2009 20:13:37 GMT -5
Personally i treat my WW2 uniforms as i did my active duty ones. They are to be treated with respect and dignity and are not costumes. I hate how people get together and dress up in there class A's and hit the town. There is a reason why the modern military doesnt allow it.
Also most non reenactors have no idea what era uniform it is and can not make the distinction. So what you do reflects on the services today.
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Post by mudgrunt on Aug 21, 2009 6:29:39 GMT -5
I remember doing a timeline as WWI French Poilu and being told by a spectator what cool helmets the "rebels" had.
Hmmmmm....ok. I pointed to a couple of Span Am troops and told him he ought to check out the "yankees".
The general public is clueless.
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wildazchef
2nd Lieutenant 
An army fights better on a full stomach http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Messkitchens
Posts: 885
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Post by wildazchef on Aug 21, 2009 6:43:14 GMT -5
I remember doing a timeline as WWI French Poilu and being told by a spectator what cool helmets the "rebels" had. Hmmmmm....ok. I pointed to a couple of Span Am troops and told him he ought to check out the "yankees". The general public is clueless. This is so true, Sad but true. I will sometimes go to the store in my kilt before a reenactment or an event. Definitely get a lot of questions and funny looks when I am walking thru the store wearing it. |
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Polar Bear
Sergeant 
Get up you lazy maggots
Posts: 225
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Post by Polar Bear on Aug 21, 2009 7:28:46 GMT -5
try going to the store or to get gas in a 15th century get up. balled shoulders, tight hosen etc... think you get looks?
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colbob506
T/3. 
That dog won't hunt!
Posts: 251
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Post by colbob506 on Aug 21, 2009 8:12:30 GMT -5
I must be old!!!! When did the military outlaw wearing class A's in public? When I was in,they prefered it.In fact it was an article 15 offense to wear bdu's or og 107's off base at Ft. Lewis.Off-base housed personnel were only allowed to stop for neccesities,( gasoline and perishable foodstuffs) if driving home in "field" uniforms. IMHO not wearing class A's when in public is dishonoring your service if on active duty,shows you have no pride in serving.
Sparrow
P.S. Then again I wore my A's on my way home when I ETS'd and was spat on and called "baby-killer"!!
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Post by twhigham on Aug 21, 2009 8:19:24 GMT -5
It depends. I would not go grocery shopping in my uniform, but I've been out to eat in uniform with a group after a public event or an airshow. Some people will give you funny looks and other will give you a High five. Same here. When our group does an airshow or an event such as the Toccoa military weekend, if we don't have our mess set up we'll go as a group to a local cafe for dinner or breakfast. Because Toccoa is a small town, everyone knows the uniform right off and we'll usually have people come up and ask questions, pose for pictures, etc. Other events, other times people will mistake the WW2 jumpsuit for a modern uniform, but I try to keep a bag of toy soldiers in my leg pocket to hand out and explain that we're just here "for the show" and suggest that they come check us out. Generally, when out "off base" in uniform, I try to look sharp - hat on, jacket zipped, boots laced; same rules that applied when I played on competitive sports teams. Don't be seen in public half-out of team uniform. Look sharp and show some pride; like you mean something important. Show some honor and respect for the uniform. The only time I bend that rule is on the butt-crunching drive to Toccoa, when sneakers and unit t-shirt is the uniform of the day because it's hard to work the pedals in jump boots! |
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Post by twhigham on Aug 21, 2009 8:26:14 GMT -5
I must be old!!!! When did the military outlaw wearing class A's in public? When I was in,they prefered it.In fact it was an article 15 offense to wear bdu's or og 107's off base at Ft. Lewis.Off-base housed personnel were only allowed to stop for neccesities,( gasoline and perishable foodstuffs) if driving home in "field" uniforms. IMHO not wearing class A's when in public is dishonoring your service if on active duty,shows you have no pride in serving. Sparrow P.S. Then again I wore my A's on my way home when I ETS'd and was spat on and called "baby-killer"!! Not sure when it was changed, but BDU's have been a pretty common off base uniform around MacDill AFB and US Central Command for awhile now. I think it was part of the push to reduce uniform expenditures post-Nam. 80's, I think. Definitely pre-DS/DS. |
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Post by mudgrunt on Aug 21, 2009 8:38:40 GMT -5
As to being "spat on and called a "baby killer", I served in Viet Nam (69 - 70)...wore my Class A uniform stateside and was always met with respect and consideration. Not saying your instance didnt happen, but I have found such comment more BS than fact.
Curious, since your posted age is 45, who made those comments to you and what military experience did you have that would cause such hostility?
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Post by Boogiewoogie on Aug 21, 2009 8:49:18 GMT -5
I got that crap, about ruining my life, when I joined the Army in 80. Why would I want to do that?
I was watching Family Matters. Waldo joined the Army. They went to save him. He was making the biggest mistake of his life.
I didn't get a couple of jobs, because I was in the National Guard in the 90's.
It happened.
Martin
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Post by mudgrunt on Aug 21, 2009 8:54:45 GMT -5
That's odd you couldnt get a job(s) being in the NG. I was under the impression that federal / state laws prohibits such discrimination.
I learn something new every day.....
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Post by Boogiewoogie on Aug 21, 2009 9:04:11 GMT -5
Yeah, but what kind of relationship would you have with the employer? The other thought is, who would want to work for jerks like that?
One said, we can't let you have that much time off, just to go drink beer.
Martin
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Post by mudgrunt on Aug 21, 2009 9:11:19 GMT -5
I joined the ARNG after ETS from the regulars and found that the social and "good ol' boy" environ of my guard unit more conducive to networking than not.
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Post by sgt4tharmored on Aug 21, 2009 9:15:26 GMT -5
I never had that happen to me when I served. The military has opened many doors for me. I have been out for over 12 years, but all my employers love that i served. I would ware my class B all the time when i would go home on leave. Even though I was just a PFC , everybody came up and shook my hand. I even got a couple of thank you's. This was in 95-97, a low point in the military , when Mr. Clinton hated the service.
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Post by tentha86 on Aug 21, 2009 9:18:21 GMT -5
My understanding was that the Army started the practice of "allowing" travel and off-base activities in civvies in the mid 1970's, due to adverse reaction to the uniform during & immediately after 'Nam. Until then, if you were in transit off post, Class A uniform was required. Allowing BDU's off base came about that same time. You were only allowed utilities on a work detail, and civvies while at your own home or while on leave. The rest of the time you were representing the service, and were required to look sharp!
I believe that we, as historians and reenactors, should make every effort to travel in civilian clothes (unit shirts are great!), but IF you are traveling in uniform, you should wear it proudly and completely. Shirts buttoned, caps or covers on (except when you enter a building), boots shined, etc. Looking like a combat reject does not represent the men and women who served 65 years ago - or the ones who serve today - the honor they deserve. They wore that uniform proudly - so should you!
Our unit has a written agreement with DoD and the Chief of Staff of the Division regarding the uniform and wearing thereof. We do not travel in Class A's unless it's directly to and from an event - then the uniform is worn completely and ready for inspection. Field uniforms may be worn in transit to and from events, with shirts on, tucked in and buttoned, boots tied & caps worn per military regs. Legally, the appearance in public in a uniform not properly worn and with the distinctive portions not removed is still a federal crime, although DoD does allow the wearing of non-current uniforms for historical purposes as long as the wearer makes no claim to be an active- or reserve- duty member of the armed services. Even our active-duty members have to be careful about how they act while in WWII uniform, and if can get them in trouble with a pissy MP or PM. And the wearing of awards you haven't earned... that's a whole separate issue!
Is it OK to wear the Class As out to dinner? ABSOLUTELY, if you wear it the way the original wearer did: complete and turned out ready for inspection. Anything less is an insult to the service, and must be avoided. Jumpsuits to Pizza Hut? Sure, but with that same caveat. Be ready to remove your cap when you enter the building; salute rank as appropriate; be courteous and polite; and LOOK SHARP from the moment you enter the public's eye. Do it right and the public will eat it up. Look like Sad Sack, and your bring dishonor on everyone who ever wore a uniform!
Public reaction? It is almost always positive, with questions, comments and interest from all parties. Be prepared to disclaim that you are NOT on active duty, but are a historian working on a project!
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aicusv
S/Sgt.
Uniform of the Day
Posts: 392
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Post by aicusv on Aug 21, 2009 9:26:44 GMT -5
Driving back from an event in uniform and in a CCKW, we were told that government vehicles didn't have to pay tolls at one of the bridges we crossed. I've also received a "military discount" for a dinner when we went out to eat at an event. Had been thanked many times for my service, which is a big difference from "back in the day". During my actually time in the military I couldn't wait to get into civies, wearing your uniform in public was only asking for trouble. "Baby Killer" was one of the nicer things we were called. Although, when I was on leave from the hospital the only thing I had that I could wear was a uniform and folks were kind'a nice to me then, being on crutches, but my public exposure was limited.
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Post by mudgrunt on Aug 21, 2009 9:35:51 GMT -5
Sometimes wearing your uniform into public places is unavoidable. Especially for parades, memorial services etc. When there is no time or place provided to change. ( Yes, I have done the backseat, behind car door - parking lot switch....)
German re-enactor friends of mine put tape over any swastikas to avoid offending J. Q. Public. Doing that, most folks have no idea what the uniform is anyway.
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