Protocol regarding USN hat/cap
 

My childhood best friend was the CO of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO SIX. Two weeks ago they held a change of command ceremony, as he relinquished command to pursue another opportunity in the Navy. My parents attended the ceremony as guests of him and his family. (which my parents enjoyed very much and they also got a tour of the USS Eisenhower).
He gave my parents a blue Navy ballcap with the squadron name/logo on the front, scrambled eggs on the bill and his rank "CO" embroidered on the back as a gift for me. It is a very nice hat and I was honored by the gesture, as I am proud to call him my friend. However, since I wasn't at the actual cermeony I couldn't ask him, is it against any type of protocol/ettiquite for me to wear the hat in public? I didn't serve and don't want to misrepresent anything, but would also like to honor his gift.

I would wear it proudly, and explain when asked the circumstance of how you came by it.
Just dont go acting like Airwolf,ordering strikes and such.

I would hang it in a special place in your abode. Otherwise, no matter your good intent, you may appear as a poseur.

it was not meant to be a garage queen hat..
wear it..
he knows the rules regarding proper wear..
like who/what & why..
your safe..

Rika

It has been my position that wearing a cap such as this is a privilege that must be earned. However, I bow to the present realities, other opinions, and fellow Pelicans. (Without changing my position)

I served in the Navy for 10 years, that being said my opinion is this would be OK
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340732162.jpg

and this would not be OK
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340732184.jpg

Maybe write the guy a "thank you" letter, and in the letter ask him what his opinion and intent were.

Agreed.

Jeeeez, it is not a "hat" but actually a "cover". The one you were given was very slightly different than the one the real CO would wear so you could wear it as long as you are happy to do it. There are federal laws that prohibit civilians wearing a uniform or parts of it but is hardly ever enforced.

I don't know man. Alot of veterans are very touchy about this. You could be made very "uncomfortable" by some. I used to wear my Fathers' medals to military funerals in order to honor him. I wore them on my right breast to indicate that they were not mine. The fact that they were WW2 medals also should have helped. But I got a lot of grief.

appreciate the respect you mean to show..
I don't see his friend setting him up for 'gotcha'..
perhaps Seahawk will chime in..

Rika

People wear Navy ball caps all the time and it is OK. As I recall, in Spinal Tap, Meathead was wearing a USS Coral Sea ball cap and I'm sure no one construed that he actually served on that ship because he was wearing that cap.

It was USS Ooral Sea.

http://au.i1.yimg.com/movies.aunz.yi...main/34655.jpg

7 1/2 years in the sub service, I agree with dtool 242. I talk to people wearing the ball caps all the time. They are usually the one that earned it, or a relative or a friend of one.
Wear it proudly and tell your story when asked about it. Ball caps were kind of a casual uniform, worn only with a work type uniform. (dungarees or khakis) You would not be "out of uniform" when wearing a ball cap with your civvies, you would if you were wearing your dress hat.

I would think that it is ok to wear. On the last tiger cruise I took my sons on, the skipper gave them each a hat, two of them said CO on the back and one had VIP. I Would not let them wear them on base but anywhere else was free game.

Agree.

Wear the hat, that is why he wanted you to have it...during both my CO tours I gave away a lot of caps and shirts to government employees, guests and friends.

Anyone who hears your story and has any issue is not worth your time.

I stand corrected.

Tom....I was not, of course, referring to you. :cool:

ball caps and shirts with command logos on them are great gifts: What size do you wear?

Thanks to all for the input. I will wear it with pride. I just didn't want to do anything that would upset any vets.

7 1/4 and Large, Paul.

Thanks for the clarification.