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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Pensburgh
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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.
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Eric 83 911SC/83 944 bunch of Honda 750s 69 Chevrolet C-20 Longhorn (family heirloom) |
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06-26-2012, 09:00 AM
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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. |
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06-26-2012, 09:05 AM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
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I would hang it in a special place in your abode. Otherwise, no matter your good intent, you may appear as a poseur.
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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06-26-2012, 09:07 AM
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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 |
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06-26-2012, 10:21 AM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
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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)
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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06-26-2012, 10:31 AM
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I served in the Navy for 10 years, that being said my opinion is this would be OK
 and this would not be OK 
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06-26-2012, 10:36 AM
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Bill is Dead.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alaska.
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Maybe write the guy a "thank you" letter, and in the letter ask him what his opinion and intent were.
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-.-. .- ... .... ..-. .-.. -.-- . .-. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. |
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06-26-2012, 10:37 AM
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The Unsettler
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Location: Lantanna TX
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Quote:
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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06-26-2012, 10:38 AM
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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.
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06-26-2012, 10:40 AM
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I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
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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.
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Si non potes inimicum tuum vincere, habeas eum amicum and ride a big blue trike. "'Bipartisan' usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." |
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06-26-2012, 10:42 AM
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appreciate the respect you mean to show..
I don't see his friend setting him up for 'gotcha'.. perhaps Seahawk will chime in.. Rika |
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06-26-2012, 10:49 AM
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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.
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06-26-2012, 10:56 AM
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The Unsettler
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Quote:
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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06-26-2012, 11:05 AM
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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.
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06-26-2012, 11:06 AM
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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.
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06-26-2012, 11:43 AM
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Quote:
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.
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1996 FJ80. Last edited by Seahawk; 06-26-2012 at 12:06 PM.. |
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06-26-2012, 12:00 PM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
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I stand corrected.
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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06-26-2012, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
 ball caps and shirts with command logos on them are great gifts: What size do you wear?
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1996 FJ80. Last edited by Seahawk; 06-26-2012 at 12:40 PM.. |
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06-26-2012, 12:37 PM
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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.
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Eric 83 911SC/83 944 bunch of Honda 750s 69 Chevrolet C-20 Longhorn (family heirloom) |
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06-26-2012, 12:39 PM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
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Quote:
Thanks for the clarification.
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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06-26-2012, 01:02 PM
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1979 Porsche 911SC
