Flight Jacket Etiquette

[icepac]

wrong topic

[-gg-]

I maybe over reacting, but I served in the USAF from 1971 to 1976, this makes me a Vietnam Veteran. However I never served in country, my entire 5 years (minus basic and tech school) in Alaska. With that in mind I do not wear a Vietnam Veterans hat or patch, out of respect for those that did. 

I think that's exactly how I'd feel too.

[Chris79]

I maybe over reacting, but I served in the USAF from 1971 to 1976, this makes me a Vietnam Veteran. However I never served in country, my entire 5 years (minus basic and tech school) in Alaska. With that in mind I do not wear a Vietnam Veterans hat or patch, out of respect for those that did. 

elmendorf afb?

[Shrike]

I don't think there is anything wrong with wearing the flight jacket in public.  In my opinion, it's cool to show your interest.

[Kassill]

Very close friend of mine wears something similar with lots of unit patches etc. He's an engineer and has worked closely with a lot of different airframes and units over the years and is big into aviation/military history. I have never once questioned or thought him wearing his jacket was "stolen valor".

[Oldman731]

Walked into a store to buy beer the other day.  I was wearing a WWII Museum hat, the one in New Orleans.  Clerk looked at me and said, "Thank you for your service."

I was glad I wasn't wearing my Fort Ticonderoga hat.  Would have completely ruined my day.

- oldman

[Shuffler]

But one makes you feel super sorry for yourself and the other is wearing military related stuff.

       well this year for sure.....

[JimmyD3]

elmendorf afb?

Yes sir, 1931st. Comm Group.

[Eagler]

If someone goes that route in an attempt to get missing attention I would pity them more than condemn them

Eagler

[AKIron]

I maybe over reacting, but I served in the USAF from 1971 to 1976, this makes me a Vietnam Veteran. However I never served in country, my entire 5 years (minus basic and tech school) in Alaska. With that in mind I do not wear a Vietnam Veterans hat or patch, out of respect for those that did. 

I think technically that's called a Vietnam era veteran. I was in then also and later during Desert Storm but served in neither war zone. I did finish up in Arkansas but no ribbon for that war zone.

[Nefarious]

Very close friend of mine wears something similar with lots of unit patches etc. He's an engineer and has worked closely with a lot of different airframes and units over the years and is big into aviation/military history. I have never once questioned or thought him wearing his jacket was "stolen valor".

I feel like that is a decent enough reason.

I understand that my opinion doesn't really matter to that guy or anyone else, but if the guy had responded he was a LTV engineer/advisor and worked with VA-12 in the 70s, I would have found that interesting and maybe talked with him for a minute.

[Nefarious]

Nothing wrong with this. Nothing wrong with wearing a Seals shirt, either. If you do not want to based on some perception you are afraid of, that makes sense. I wore a hammer and sickle all day last Saturday and was on Cloud 9 the entire time.

I collect Communist Firearms and Militaria and have an extensive collection of Eastern Bloc Camoflauge, I wear that when I'm out doing outdoor stuff because it's unique and sticks out.

I don't consider that to be quite on the same level though as a flight jacket or unit hats though.

[Eagler]

I don't wear shirts with WW2 German planes on them out and about as some are offended by the swastika shown plainly on the tails

Some don't understand my collection of luftwaffe gear for the same reason..

Ppl are thin skinned enough these days that some want to make an issue of everything

Eagler

[Chris79]

Yes sir, 1931st. Comm Group.

 

My Dad flew C130s there 75-79

[Fencer51]

In 1990 I went to the Airwarrior convention in Houston,  bought a huge Confederate airforce bloodchit.  You know, psuedo flying tigeresque "this is a caf aviator, if found feed him mint julips and hide him from yankees.." with the non battle confederate flag.  Wore it on a Jean jacket along with my WarHawks and4th FG patches.. for 6 or so years to airshows and around town.. then had a guy at work get hinkey over it.. still have it just do not wear it.

I do have a great flight jacket but never put any patches on  it.  Heck I am wearing a VFA-103 Jolly Roger's shirt right now.