Pacman wrote:There's a point when it stops being cute and resemble any kind of "tribute". A teenager playing airsoft is not the proper person to wear awards and decorations earned and died for by veterans. Even having been on the military I wear no rank or insignia associated with my military service. If you've earned it by all means wear it otherwise put it in a shadow box because one cannot know the honor and pride of them having not earned them. Lookup "stolen valor" and read the stories of teenagers and adults who are defaming the symbols they pretend to have earned.
Pacman is certainly right. There are a lot of people who fake this as a means of getting recognition or benefits. But I've heard mixed reviews on this subject. Some military people don't care. Some are up in arms about it. Look up "Stolen valor" and make your own decision. If you decide to put insignia on your uniform keep in mind a couple things.
-Do NOT claim to be of a certain rank if someone asks if you're in the Army or Navy etc. Just politely say you're not. Even if you plan on going into the service in the future say you're not military.
-If someone asks you to remove it than be respectful and remove it.
-Act like the insignia you're wearing and be respectful.
Name tapes are fine. I've never seen someone phony pony about that. The majority of the disagreement comes from younger people wearing ranks and things like a Ranger or Airborne tab or putting a SEAL Trident or a SWCC on your uniform cause your grandfather was a part of that group.
http://www.stolenvalor.com/and if you're going to do it do it right.
