I am not a soldier and most likely will never be one. So I cannot claim to know and ins and outs of uniform regulations, but it does seem like wearing a beater under the jacket is not in the best taste no matter the case. Now this is no one fault but the guy wearing the uniform and I have to say we have quite a heated discussion going on over a photo and underlying uniform regulations. I will simply critique the photo. It seems to show a happy guy and gal at some sort of gathering, lighting is good but the picture seems a little like a snapshot to me (which it could be), I do not get any real story telling feelings on this one.
Hope everyone can keep it happy and civilized.
Doug
ksmahgrts wrote:
on a much larger scale, the world-wide perception of the US and its armed forces matters, particularly in a time of war. any self-respecting soldier would be acutely aware that he is representing not only himself, but his entire country.
Then, certainly you can understand that a bunch of active-duty forum posters making harsh nitpicks about some (probably) ex-soldier's attire is in poor taste in and of itself. In all seriousness, this seems like something that matters a LOT more to people in the military than to those not in the military.
In fact, I would assume this quote (on the forum) would grab more attention than some bearded guy in part of the dress uniform:
Skyhawk42 wrote:
I very much doubt he served. If he had served proudly he wouldn't wear the uniform like this. He's a fraud and another example of this Obamanation we are crumbling to. very sad.
12 year veteran of the USN
John Binford
A 12 year Navy vet (whom we now know by name) blaming our president for some sort of disrespect will probably be a lot more harmful to worldwide perception than the guy in the photo. Let us not forget that this board is fairly international.
As far as the picture is concerned, it elicited no reaction as it appears (to me, at least) to be fairly snapshot-ish.
I must agree with those who take issue with the improper wearing of this US Army uniform. I wore it proudly from 1970-1976. I also had the Old Ironsides patch for the first year until a change of MOS. So it does trouble me. Someone said" WWII Vets wear patrs of a uniform". Well that is usually all that will fit when one gets older.
I was 18 when I first wore that uniform, and now I am 59 and I assure you I can no longer wear it in a respectful manner. So I choose not to wear it at all. I wish everyone cared about the US flag and uniform. But I must agree with (Steady). I don't think this is a soldier. As far as the photo goes, Well done Rick!
I'll second that with Evan. I've worked with some foreigners closely, too. I spent 22 years in the Army and although I routinely mow the lawn on my riding mower with a steel pot or boonie hat on my head or walk into my office on Halloween with my gas mask on, I never wear my dress greens in other than full honor. The hollywood beard and gay-ass sunglasses just kind of add insult to the injury. But hey, FTW, maybe this kid has escaped death a hundred times or lost everything that is near to him and all in the name of our freedom. How the hell do we know? No one asked him. As far as pictures go, I can see how someone would snap it. It is unique. As far as civilians go, they just might not get what some of us get. Cut the sleeves off of your BDU top or paint peace signs on your Kevlar. For Pete's sake, though, don't be a dick-head in the dress green jacket!
If you look at the thread I posted yesterday called "Remembrance Day.." (this is the same as "Veteran's Day" in the USA) then you will see lots of people observing in different ways. Honoring those that served.
One of the things I noticed many years ago is a difference in how veterans wear something that shows their service.
For example, in France, on memorial days such as this, MANY of the veterans wear their "decorations" (the medals or ribbons they were awarded while in service) on their civilian coat jackets. This is very common in Russia too. You will also see it in some of the other images of Canadian vets.
This practice of wearing medals on civilian clothing and is accepted and honorable. I don't doubt that there may be some "regulations" that either prohibit it or allow it depending on which country you are in. But, as I see it, I think it is understandable and honorable. From my POV, they have earned the right to wear them and be recognized for their service. Obviously they and their families see those decorations with pride too. I would.
Oddly enough, I rarely see any American vets do this. I think it is because there is a different sense of what is "appropriate." Some may wear them, but I think most do not. I personally think it would be a good thing IF they ALL felt it was accepted, honorable, and respected by civilians or citizens (ex military etc.).
My personal feeling is that those ribbons or medals signify that that man or woman has served our country, and helped protect me and my family. When I see a man or woman wearing them, I sincerely thank them, as I do whenever I see someone in uniform, whether they are very old, or even young and without ribbons or medals.
Skyhawk42 wrote:
I very much doubt he served. If he had served proudly he wouldn't wear the uniform like this. He's a fraud and another example of this Obamanation we are crumbling to. very sad.
12 year veteran of the USN
John Binford
Looks like a dog tag chain around his neck. So I think he served.
Maybe some of you folks should go over and check out this thread. Just subsitute the word "Uniform" for the term "lightbulb".
First off, Everyone needs to relax. You served your country.. You sacrifice yourself for others. I don't care if you do it in sandals and a t shirt or full in uniform. It's the task at hand that is important not what you wore. This young man served, and supported his cause aswell as wearing a poppy to commend Canadas Fallen. To go as far as calling him a fraud and having the audacity to disrespect someone who has served for YOUR country no less is rediculous. I don't care who you are. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Hats off to everyone who has served for your country. You have my up most respect. I don't care what you wore/wear
Mr.walczak1 wrote:
First off, Everyone needs to relax. You served your country.. You sacrifice yourself for others. I don't care if you do it in sandals and a t shirt or full in uniform. It's the task at hand that is important not what you wore. This young man served, and supported his cause aswell as wearing a poppy to commend Canadas Fallen. To go as far as calling him a fraud and having the audacity to disrespect someone who has served for YOUR country no less is rediculous. I don't care who you are. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Hats off to everyone who has served for your country. You have my up most respect. I don't care what you wore/wear...Show more →
but can't you see you're proving the point of the soldiers in this thread?
if you respect the service of the soldiers, you should respect their insight on this uniform topic. they feel dishonored, and we should take heed, not criticize them, blow them off, or tell them to "relax"
I respect what they do. I have no business in how the operations run nor do I have a say in it due to the fact I'm not even aware of everything that goes on fully. Lets remember there is no conscription anymore This fellow joined on his free will to protect his country. People to demote him when for all you know could have put in just as much effort to protect your country as anyone here is unheard of in my mind. Your human your no higher then anyone else so to be stuck up about it is not what I see in as being a hero. Say what you want. He put in his work he did his job he sacrificed his life for safety of his country. Thats what matters. Not uniform.
Thats my personal opinion as it may differ from anyone elses.
I only put relax is because some unnamed people on here (a photography forum) went as far as to call someone out aswell as slander them. That's why they need to relax not for sticking up for there opinion. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but how you deliver it is a different story.
Skyhawk42 wrote:
I very much doubt he served. If he had served proudly he wouldn't wear the uniform like this. He's a fraud and another example of this Obamanation we are crumbling to. very sad.
12 year veteran of the USN
John Binford
You choose to insult the Commander in Chief while we have nearly 190,000 heroes in harms way, in a thread that is fundamentally about defending the honor of those who have served no less. It might be time to cut back on your Fox News consumption and get some perspective on what's really been happening the last nine years.
bigbee wrote:
You choose to insult the Commander in Chief while we have nearly 190,000 heroes in harms way, in a thread that is fundamentally about defending the honor of those who have served no less. It might be time to cut back on your Fox News consumption and get some perspective on what's really been happening the last nine years.
Big lols at the Fox News comment. Well done, Fox News is hilarious.
"So this person is either a soldier who is flouting authority..."
it might be in americans' best interest to begin flouting authority when their government keeps sending more and more of its fine young people to their mental/physical demises in order to make profits for the top 5% of society. nothing glorious or proud about that.
Well, so much for keeping politics out of this. Almost all of the first two and a half pages were about the image (discussion of the uniform and lack of respect was still about the image. The last few posts have been pure politics. Take it elsewhere.
Geo31 wrote:
Well, so much for keeping politics out of this. Almost all of the first two and a half pages were about the image (discussion of the uniform and lack of respect was still about the image. The last few posts have been pure politics. Take it elsewhere.
Translation: When someone else makes an obnoxious political remark, just sit back and don't respond. I don't think so.
Second, virtually none of the comments have anything to do with the image. They are comments about the attire of one of the persons in a candid image, and one even contained a gay slur. If you're going to try to play forum cop, at least try to be consistent.
jeremy_clay wrote:
Big lols at the Fox News comment. Well done, Fox News is hilarious.
Yes...we should ALL get our news from MSNBC...they are much more "fair and balanced!!!" Seriously, just because someone disagrees with the current Administration doesn't make him/her a right-wing loon that is unable to think on his own and therefore has to be spoonfed by FoxNews...the funny thing about FoxNews and all those people who criticize it is that when I ask them if they ever watch it, invariably, their answer is "No...I won't watch such a right-wing media outlet that pretends to be news." Well, if they've never watched it, how can they fairly say that it's right-wing? Now, there's no arguing that Hannity and Beck are conservative...ok, there are liberal commentators on the other networks...why is it wrong for FoxNews' opinion folks to be conservative but it's perfectly okay for MSNBC's and CNN's opinion folks to be liberal? See the hypocrisy?
Initially I looked at this guy and said WTF, then I read the posts that followed, and changed my mind on dogging this guy out...uniforms clean, ribbons displayed somewhat correctly, only non-Army adornments were the red poppy, and yellow ribbon (respectful), he was wearing the beret correctly and not like a Russian sailor and/or a hollywood actor, and he didn't have BS anti-war propaganda plastered all over it.
The only thing that was out of place, the white wife beater T, the George Michael sunglasses and stubble (could have had a shaving profile though, the brothers always had one).
If he served his country well, let him be, and save the criticism for the DB's in the White House and congress!
Mr.walczak1 wrote:
First off, Everyone needs to relax. You served your country.. You sacrifice yourself for others. I don't care if you do it in sandals and a t shirt or full in uniform. It's the task at hand that is important not what you wore. This young man served, and supported his cause aswell as wearing a poppy to commend Canadas Fallen. To go as far as calling him a fraud and having the audacity to disrespect someone who has served for YOUR country no less is rediculous. I don't care who you are. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Hats off to everyone who has served for your country. You have my up most respect. I don't care what you wore/wear...Show more →
Hear, hear!
Finally someone speaks sense here. I'm sure there are rules and ceremonies for everything, but at the end of the day, there are some folks who sacrifice their physical and mental well being by being out there (for whatever nation they serve). I personally don't care what they wear while serving their nation, nor do I care what they wear *after* they serve their nation. What matters is that some folks decide to be brave and serve (which is more than what I would have the balls to do)
Spent 5 years in the army. Last thing I care is my uniform. I wore it when I had to,but it's not why I joined the army.
Anyone of you took martial arts? You see all the fighters with wrinkly and dirty uniforms with their black belt hanging. Then you see all of those "wannabees" and clean uniforms with their chins up high in the air. Those never fought or won anything. This sort of what I noticed when I was on tours overseas.
