Co-worker (22 year old female) and I (old as ****) are wondering around Huntsville, AL.
Walking around a mall with our Sweet 5:11 backpacks (discounted because of where we work) minding our own business, waiting for 3:00 to check in to our hotel.
Some gangly redneck (25’ish) strolls up sternly asking “when did you get out, how long did you serve?!” Extending his hand. I kindly shake it and state we did, not never have.
He strolls away and yells “that’s cool! The important part is you look like you did! right?!”
Once I saw several people get their panties in a wad because a guy listed his occupation as operator because that was what his position in a power plant is called and has been the case for decades much like the phone industry.
LOL. I didn’t know 5.11 was considered “military.”
Some people fight for “our” freedom, unless they don’t like the way we dress. I don’t know what is up with “some” veterans these days, but obviously having done their job and done it well wasn’t enough and they are still easily threatened and have fragile egos.
I grew up with nothing but nam vets for the most part. On any given day I was wearing jeans and one of about a dozen OD army jackets / shirts or whatever they were called before they became BDUs. Usually over a black t shirt with whatever music group I liked (Rush, The Police, etc.)
I had patched for SAC on an air force one, a 25 ID shirt and a bunch of others. Name tapes (not mine), rank, unit patches, everything. Never heard anyone say anything, they were probably glad I didn’t have a bunch of peace patches all over it too. They were probably just happy to see a high school kid who didn’t think they were all a bunch of drug addicted baby killers.
I could be working at Moes in the cafeteria, not sure of the numbers but I would say 40% of the positions are contract. Lots of misconceptions about working in that community, mostly paper pushing un-class and not know what you are pushing. Just cogs.
The point is, we get great discounts and the catalog is somewhat limited. 5:11, Champion and a few others.
Just thought of another one going back to when MARPAT came out so it could have been an email list or forum. Sportsmans Guide had got some blem USMC boots so one of the members shared the link and that he ordered a pair. Members claiming to be retired (and maybe current too) USMC then started piling on that he shouldn’t wear them out anywhere unless he had been in.
Aahh MARPAT reeing and shenanigans. That takes me back.
I have gone to classes with a capital city who gave their sharpshooters “digital woodland” because at the time it worked pretty good. Now they use solids or multicam.
MARPAT to me is stuff with actual Marine insignia. Digital Woodland is fair play because at least in Georgia it works as good as if not better than M81 woodland.
Multicam works, but doesn’t work depending on season.
I always stuck to Woodland because I am a cheapskate.
The only camo I wear in public is Desert Storm camo because of my strong affinity for 90s hip hop culture
hahahahahahahahahaahahaha