Dressing "Mil-Sim" disrespectful to Vets?

[SLIM]

I've been looking around on alot of survival, airsoft, and military forums lately and I've noticed alot of people saying that they think impersonating the military by dressing like them ( cammies, gear, etc ) is direspectful. I personally think that imitation is a form of flattery and was wondering what some of you other guys who have served think about this.

[Joker]

Moved this thread to MilSim Discussions... I think that's a better place for it.


Is it disrespectful to veterans? I guess that depends on the veteran you speak to. I know atleast 2 guys who served in the Marine Corps who said they don't mind people wearing the camo... just don't wear the rank. I know another Marine who said, and I quote: "Wear what the f*** you want... I don't care about that s***."

Bottom line comes to this: This is a Military Simulation game. I'm sure there are people who get wildly upset at reenactors as well, but that isn't going to stop a majority of them.

So is it disrespectful? I suppose to a number of folks it would be. But I know enough guys who say 'be my guest' and that's good enough for me.

[orangegeko64]

I think you may have misread the other forums. The general opinion that I've seen is that wearing unit insignias, tour ribbons, rank patches, etc is disrespectful. If you didn't earn it yourself, you shouldn't be wearing it.

However, I have never seen anyone that had issues with the actual clothing and equipment used. There is a difference between dressing up as a unit, and wearing their patches.

For example, for my SEAL Impression group, I am closely emulating a SEAL's equipment, but I will absolutely never claim to be a SEAL, nor will I ever wear a true SEAL unit patch.

[Cap]

It depends, if you are claiming to be something you are not, then there is a prolem. If you are wearing your **** out in public and giving a false impression that you are a soldier, then there is an issue, if you are wearing the stuff to an game or event, then its just that. You can get BDUs readily available from hundreds of sources.

[JohnFick]

I've also seen the same thing come up around on different forums, but most service men and women don't care about you wearing the camo pattern, but a good amount think you shouldn't wear a rank patch, because it's something they had to work for, and display it proudly. I do understand the side of the soldiers who would rather people not wear certain camo patterns, because they have seen their buddies die in the uniform etc, and it is something almost sacred to them.

[Zombiekilla13]

it all comes down to how you act while your in the uniform. i personally only will wear my uniform at a game, thats it. dont stop in a mcdonalds with it on, and dont act like a total ******* when you have it on. in my mind dont wear the Ranks, unit insigs, ribbons, cause you didn't earn them. although on my VN uniform i do have a 1st infantry patch on it, but i would never wear something like that outside an airsoft game. also, dont tell people your in the military, and tell them no if asked, if you didn't serve.

final thought: Airsoft is nothing more than Men/Boys playing war, so why not dress the part?

i can already see this thread is going to become very controversial, let the trolling begin lol jk.

[LRRP719]

I work for and with several ex-Marines, ex-army special forces operators and a guy who was in the air force.

When they see my airsoft pictures(which are usually the background on my laptop), their basic reaction is: "That's ****in' sweet where are you at this one!?"

That said, I agree that people should limit the use of rank insignia and patches. It's one thing if you bought it used and just wear it the way you got it. It's another to rip it all off and start over with the unit you think is cool.

[Joker]

Zombie killer has a point... with WWII, I am wearing certain patches because it emulates a unit that is required for most major WWII games. For instance, my Helmet has a 2nd Ranger Btn logo on the back so that I'd be grouped with other 2nd Rangers. And several others I know have 101st Airborne Patches on their shoulder so that they are considered Airborne.

Wearing Ranks is still a No No unless you have earned them yourself.

[Sholef]

I agree with the general consensus on rank patches. I have name and branch tapes on my ACUs, but do not wear real unit patches or rank tabs, as I neither served with those units nor earned the rank. Other than that I have taken the liberty to look the part of US Army Ranger in my loadout.

[a Random Bullet]

i know that for us commie airsofters the Red Berets have asked us to not wear red berets, and im fine with that and i respect them.
but i also don't think people running around in camo suits having a good time should be looked down upon

[stryker11]

<~~~~Vet. My opinion is this. Wear whatever you want. Just remember to be respectful and emulate the esprit de corp of the uniform as the men and women who have served and still serve do.

In other words, if your going to wear a military uniform, maintain military bearing and dont disrespect it. Just dont be an asshat while your wearing it. :D

[doc_murray]

just to throw in on this, there are somethings to consider. You can wear any pattern you want, no problem with that at all. And I dont have a problem with people emulating a particular unit out of respect or because you aspire to be in that unit. Further more, if you are buying a used set of utilities with stuff already on it is also fine. The line needs to be drawn in adding real items to the uniform that you have not earned. People go through hell to get to earn the right to wear some of those (EGA, ranger sapper SF tab, jump wings, CIB CAB CMB) Certain unit patches as well. To that, people claiming to be one of these is also a very bad Idea and must be mentioned. IT is a good way to get a stern talking to and/or a thuroughly righteous ass kicking.

the wearing of the particular uniform is often determined by the game they are in.

thats about all there is too it

[jasmith278]

doc said it best!!!

[stryker11]

The line needs to be drawn in adding real items to the uniform that you have not earned. People go through hell to get to earn the right to wear some of those (EGA, ranger sapper SF tab, jump wings, CIB CAB CMB) Certain unit patches as well. To that, people claiming to be one of these is also a very bad Idea and must be mentioned. IT is a good way to get a stern talking to and/or a thuroughly righteous ass kicking.

A-F*n-Men.

[GHO$t97]

think of it as holloween....would darthvader like if someone dressed up like him...i can hear what theyre sayin like how if your gonna dress up like your in the military join it but....im still gonna play in milsim gear

[Mzyc]

honestly i dont see the point of dressing milsim. In my opinion you don't need all that stuff.I think camo, vest, goggles, boots, and maybe knee pads and gloves are the most you really need. Instead i see guys with a million pockets holding 250 mags and still have room left for some paches and tactical sandwich's.what really gets me is the helmets, the helmets are a bit much for airsoft don't you think? i dont expect someone to take a 5 foot dive onto their head or have shrapnel thrown their way.

[Hush 1.5]

honestly i dont see the point of dressing milsim. In my opinion you don't need all that stuff.I think camo, vest, goggles, boots, and maybe knee pads and gloves are the most you really need. Instead i see guys with a million pockets holding 250 mags and still have room left for some paches and tactical sandwich's.what really gets me is the helmets, the helmets are a bit much for airsoft don't you think? i dont expect someone to take a 5 foot dive onto their head or have shrapnel thrown their way.

If only you knew the joy of milsim.

[Zdrok]

I doubt there's joy in carrying 50lbs. on your back. ;) But, nevertheless, it sounds fun to waltz around in military gear.

@ Myzc: I kinda agree with you there, but if you didn't have all those pouches, where would you put your mags and your radio and other stuff? In real life, soldiers do carry (I think) about 10-12 mags for their rifle. You can run dry at any moment. Considering how fast airsoft guns fire, then a lot of mags are necessary.

[LesPaul]

think of it as holloween....would darthvader like if someone dressed up like him...i can hear what theyre sayin like how if your gonna dress up like your in the military join it but....im still gonna play in milsim gear

The thing about "how if your gonna dress up like your in the military join it" is that some people who play airsoft have a family that they just couldn't leave. I am not one of these people, but sometimes for people who would otherwise be able to join the military, there are other special circumstances that wouldn't allow them to join. Just thought I'd share this idea.;)

[doc_murray]

The thing about "how if your gonna dress up like your in the military join it" is that some people who play airsoft have a family that they just couldn't leave. I am not one of these people, but sometimes for people who would otherwise be able to join the military, there are other special circumstances that wouldn't allow them to join. Just thought I'd share this idea.;)



yes, and it is tragic when something like a medical condition prevents someone from realizing their dream (or wild hair up there ass) to enlist, but military service is a right of passage, perhaps one of the last that remain in our society. There is nothing wrong with playing airsoft, milsim or otherwise, nothing wrong with reenacting old battles (civil war, WWII) But I have a family, and I leave them to serve and its is quite possibly the most difficult thing I have ever done. But I go because that is what I do, poeple that use the excuse "I have a family" are often supressing a motive they don not wish to speak of.

I have an example of a friend of mine, Mike Williams. his life long ambition was to join the Marines, but a medical condition he could not hide kept him out. but he found onther way to do his part as he saw it and his true calling. Mike was an electronics genius, ended up earning his masters by 23, doctorate by 25 and he opened his own company that made some of the best coms gear for combat, and he made them for the Marines (certain units with the ability to acquire them anyway). HE is a good friend and had our respect, but he never claimed to be a Marine, he had not earned it. a bit off of the subject but ,eh, i was feeling chatty

[snippy]

Something like this came up on ASB today and if you dont mind doc i copied and pasted what you said giving you the credit for saying it. They were ragging on someone for having a Air Force patch on a uniform.

[Charlie Delta]

I don't think that it is disrespectful to dress up like the Military I wear my dad's (ex S.E.A.L.) old fatigues with all of his stuff still on them and he doesn't mind I respect them

[RABBIT]

Ello.
I just joined the forum.
UCMJ states that no civilian is promitted to wear a real military uniform.
That means that if a uniform is worn there must be some discrepancy in it's apearance.
I.E. Airforce rank on an army uniform, or such like.
me personaly as an Iraq vet. I would say no rank,and branch
The wear of branch identifers can get a civi into a shot of trouble.
Some mil personal will press for UCMJ action for the impersonation of a gov. offical.

[doc_murray]

yes, but there only needs to be a small difference. Use the marine corps service alpha in movies, the shooting badges and ribbons are usually out of order / in the wrong position is enough to make the difference. Or untilities willl have the rank and tapes, but no eagle globe and anchor. the only way you are going to get in trouble for it is if you are actually going around claiming to be one and wearing the proper uniform. my statement about badges and tabs stands, you gotta earn em to wear em lest ass kicking will commence.

just keep in mind that some of these players, the younger ones, are wearing what the got from parents or older siblings, uncles and the like. they may ultimately be planning on joining themselves. the point is that they will most likely have the insignia already on it, not a big deal in my mind if a 12 yearold has e-5 rank and us army tapes on a very old no longer authorized uniform. As another veteran, i see that as very different from some 30 y/o in ACUs with the tripple tab, unit patches, the whole deal nd claiming to be what he is not. so there is the line as i see it, very clear difference

[RABBIT]

I agree with you 100%
As a vet I have a bit more of an understanding of the UCMJ than civis do so I figured I would try to help shed some light on things for them.
Personaly my only true peev is dogtags and combat patches.
both of which require a comitment to a time in hell to earn.
esayonce.

[The Desert Fox]

Personaly my only true peev is dogtags and combat patches.


I wear a pair of imitation dogtags (well until they got too small, heh) but all they have on them is my name and contact info, I'd never put any sort of unit or campaign info on them, same applies for the rest of my gear.

[Shymmer]

My sister and I used to wear my dad's dogtags I think. It was waaaayyyy back in high school.

[ssgpeppers]

doc said it best. if you didn't earn the patches, awards, or other items, then don't waer them. simply put, it is out of respect for us vets that did earn the right, and the honor to wear unit patches, in my case a CIB, and doc's case a CMB. however, wearing gear that we wear....hey do what you want. just don't try to misrepresent yourself as something that you are not. rank and other insignia, are fine in my opinion, but as far as unit patches and awards go, in my opinion, you shouldn't wear them unless you have served in that unit, or are serving. and really who needs unit patches anyways? the marines don't use them, nor the airforce or navy. so thats my thought on it. gear...fine...rank....fine...awards...no go.....unit insignia....no go( unless you guys have team patches...then by all means do so) again these are just my opinions as a vet. take it or leave it.