Flight Jacket Etiquette

[Nefarious]

I've always wanted a cool flight jacket, with period patches and such.  But always thought they were a little much for me to wear in public. I'm not a pilot or a veteran.

Today at Sams Club, I saw a guy next to me in line wearing a leather flight jacket with Navy patches. The patches all seemed legit, some were easily recognizable, like a VA-12 patch from Attack Squadron 12 - Flying Ubangi's.

It's an old A-7 Corsair II Squadron and the guy was older, probably late 60s-early 70s - and seemed like he could have served with VA-12.

I asked him if he flew with the Flying Ubangi's and he says, "no, it's my cousins jacket"

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Guys, what's the etiquette here? It seems a little too extreme to call it stolen valor? But, I feel like it's kind of silly.

[1Cane]

Years ago, I was standing in line at Barnes and Nobles' bookstore when I noticed the man in front of me was wearing a 442nd BCT hat. He was an oriental gentleman and I asked him was he in that unit. He said he was, and he even knew the current senator of Hawaii who'd received the congressional Medal of Honor. He told me that he had also received the medal. I told him what an honor it was to meet him and shook his hand. When I got home, I checked on the computer and guess what he was a liar.  

[Shuffler]

Not stolen Valor if making no claims and just wearing a jacket. The second story where the guy in the hat makes claim is stolen Valor.

I sometimes wear an A&M football hat, I never went to A&M or played football there.

[Nefarious]

I sometimes wear an A&M football hat, I never went to A&M or played football there.

I get that, and I like Army Rangers and US Navy Seals too, but I don't wear their hats or shirts.

[Devil 505]

I suppose you could limit yourself to purely vintage unit patches and mix-and-match Air Corps and Navy squadron patches just to emphasize the fact that it's a enthusiast's jacket.

[icepac]

Sounds like flight jacket manufacturing isn’t a good idea.   

[The Fugitive]

I think its ok to wear, especially if when asked if you serveres you reply with "No, I wear it to honor ALL veterans". The same goes for hats. As long as your honest and up front and say you honor and respect those that have been part of that unit.

[perdue3]

I've always wanted a cool flight jacket, with period patches and such.  But always thought they were a little much for me to wear in public. I'm not a pilot or a veteran.

Today at Sams Club, I saw a guy next to me in line wearing a leather flight jacket with Navy patches. The patches all seemed legit, some were easily recognizable, like a VA-12 patch from Attack Squadron 12 - Flying Ubangi's.

It's an old A-7 Corsair II Squadron and the guy was older, probably late 60s-early 70s - and seemed like he could have served with VA-12.

I asked him if he flew with the Flying Ubangi's and he says, "no, it's my cousins jacket"

---

Guys, what's the etiquette here? It seems a little too extreme to call it stolen valor? But, I feel like it's kind of silly.

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 wear a US Navy G-1 or a USAF A-2 in the winter time with no patches and feel no shame about it. It is a great jacket and I love aviation. Even a flight jacket with multiple patches from different units is fine, just odd. He has a cool piece of family history and a cool piece of history that he enjoys wearing. If that kind of thing is not your style, then don't do that thing. That's how I see it, anyway.

[Brooke]

Lots of people wear flight jackets, from ones that are very good reproductions to ones that are just themed on a particular type.  And there are lots of vendors that sell them.

[Spikes]

Not stolen Valor if making no claims and just wearing a jacket. The second story where the guy in the hat makes claim is stolen Valor.

I sometimes wear an A&M football hat, I never went to A&M or played football there.

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

[-gg-]

I sometimes go out dressed as an admiral.

[Molsman]

I love to wear Miltary clothes out if respect. I have patches war torn from my Grandfather from the 191st and they are sitting in my chest box. I also have his dress uniform in a protective pristine cover that he wore during The WW 2 . I do not see it being a wrong to wear certain Patches Nef as long as you’re not claiming to have been there and just showing respect to our forefathers who have served. There are to many morons out there claiming stolen valor and have been busted. I know you will choose the correct path. Just ashame box stores sell this stuff and do not know the true meaning behind these patches

[Nefarious]

I sometimes go out dressed as an admiral.

A rear admiral?

[Arlo]

A rear admiral?

Heh. Spot on. 

[JimmyD3]

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.