Military Surplus Clothing

[jyl]

Continuing on my string of life's weighty questions.

Is it okay to wear surplus military stuff if you're not yourself surplus military?

Since college days, I've always had an old army field jacket laying around. It was cheap and I didn't have much money as an undergraduate. I still have it because, well, it wears like iron.

For a long time I didn't wear it because I'd gotten too fat. But after losing about 4 waistband inches, it fits again.

I just went through the closet, purging un-used jackets, and am mulling over this one. I'm wondering if it is in some way "disrespectful" to wear this.

Incidentally, I took my son to the Army-Navy store because he's starting middle school and wanted a new book bag that was "different". So I got reacquainted with military surplus stuff. You know, there's some good stuff there - boots, shirts, coats, etc - among all the weird re-enactor garb and "tactical" toiletry cases. My son wants a "jungle hammock", like that's going to happen. I'm telling my daughter to go there for some real boots instead of Doc Martens.

[jcommin]

Very common in the 60's early 70's.

[id10t]

As long as there is no insignia on it ...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by id10t

As long as there is no insignia on it ...

That's it.

I work in the shop in my GW chocolate chips all the time...best pants ever.

[masraum]

Representing yourself as surplus military, IMO, is bad. Wearing old clothing is not.

I've got a P-38 can opener on my key ring.

I've got 3 military all weather coats.

I've got military gloves (wool inner, leather outer)

Watch cap

and a crazy flight jacket that I think I would need to be in the Arctic to wear comfortably.

My dad was in the Navy, and that's where I got some of the stuff. Also, found one of the coats and bought 2 others off of ebay because I really like the one and wanted different colors.

[Rikao4]

my stash from those days..
flighthelmet check..but no helo..
NBC-mask check..filters too old..
I kept it all & scrounged even more..
flakjackets,body armour,
drives the lady crazy during her purge mode..
'what do need this stuff for..'
not sure..
but if I do..I want it handy..

Rika

[Seahawk]

I found my old SV-2 a month ago, stashed in the attic. Still had the candy, mirror and all the other stuff that was supposed to keep me occupied in the water. Tons of other stuff, flight suits, boots, jackets, the works.

Helmets?

Still have them all, although one is a Lamp

[Danimal16]

Surplus stuff to wear, sure, go for it. As others have said, just remove the insignia. (that is just good form to remove that stuff)

Seahawk,

I wear my old flight suits to work on cars, have you done that?

danB

[VINMAN]

I still wear alot of my old stuff, BDU's, field jackets, flight jackets.

I'm just proud that everything still fits 20 yrs later!

[masraum]

Almost forgot. My dad did a little time on Subs. He had several "poopy suits" left over (overalls). I've used those for lots of stuff, working on cars, mowing the lawn, etc....

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

Surplus stuff to wear, sure, go for it. As others have said, just remove the insignia. (that is just good form to remove that stuff)

Seahawk,

I wear my old flight suits to work on cars, have you done that?

danB

Right up until my son could start fitting in them

I really find the old (and newer) fatigues much more comfortable.

PM when you get a chance, I'd like to catch up.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by id10t

As long as there is no insignia on it ...

Exactly. We hit the surplus store for all of our paintball clothing. Great stuff.

angela

[74-911]

Originally Posted by masraum

.

I've got a P-38 can opener on my key ring.

A good friend of mine also had a P-38 on his key ring, the one he was issued in Vietnam and used extensively as an airborne ranger in 1971 while in country. The TSA confiscated it right after 9/11 when he was preparing to board a flight at DFW. Not a happy camper in # 1 they confiscated it and # 2 he never thought about taking if off the key ring after 9/11..

I still wear my 1968 USAF issued field jacket - I did take all the insignia and name tags off. A warm jacketwith the liner in but very heavy weightwise also..

[Hard-Deck]

I'm still wearing my nomex flight suits for auto work. I have helmets, gloves, g-suit, harness and much more.

Like others have said, no insignia=good-to-go

[azasadny]

I hate it when I seen military clothing being worn that still has insignia on it unless a veteran is wearing it (properly) in a parade. That's just me...

[pwd72s]

I know an old guy who wears a civilian jacket with the screaming eagle 101st airborn patch in the pool hall all the time. Nobody is critical of that.

Oh...guess he earned that right. His name? Don Malarkey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Malarkey

Others? Remove the insignia...

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Oh...guess he earned that right. His name? Don Malarkey.

I'd say he earned it 1000 times over!!!

[Hard-Deck]

Military patches/pins on civvies is just fine, no issues

[cgarr]

The old man puts on his WWl British uniform with all the do-dads when flying sometimes, flew into Battle Creek National Guard and the guys there really didn't know what to do or how to handle the situation, do we salute or get him a chair! lol

[azasadny]

Craig,
Very cool! Great picture!