# If I was actually in the military, then I am sure you would be very welcome **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 1, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458 "2005-03-01T17:38:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/21 "2005-03-01T21:41:08Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > Hell, you can get pea coats from a number of manufacturers that look almost identical to those the Navy gives out. Putting one on doesn’t make you a sailor. Just to clarify, while the US Navy issues pea coats to sailors, like the “Navy” watch cap and a lot of other naval gear, these are essentially the same clothing that ordinary merchant sailors wear for the same purpose, to keep warm on a cold, wet deck watch. Even the dark blue colour is traditional for civilian sailor wear as well as for naval wear. I wore pea coats for years, and never thought of them as military. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/22 "2005-03-02T04:11:57Z")
AIUI, the difference between a Navy pea coat and a civilian one is far less with the cut, or the fabric, than an official Navy pea coat uses buttons with some kind of official Navy emblem upon them. That said, when I went back to college after my time in the service I wore my Navy pea coat, with rank insignia upon it, for my winter coat. I kept hoping some officious ROTC type would harp on me for wearing military gear I wasn’t entitled to. I kept a report chit filled out in my coat to give to such jerk, while explaining that I wasn’t impersonating an NCO, but was simply out of uniform, and as a member of the radioactive reserve, they could have the fun of finding someone who cared enough to discipline me for it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/23 "2005-03-02T04:55:55Z")
I have an army jacket from the surplus store because it’s comfortable and just the right weight for the changeable Texas weather. I’ve never been harrassed about it but I’m 90% sure that’s because I’m a girl and people assume it belongs to be (presumably military) boyfriend. If anyone asked, actually, I could say my boyfriend gave it to me, because he did - it was a Christmas present, because HIS didn’t fit me. (He’s not military, actually, although he was in ROTC.) I was asked once whether the coat was earned or bought, and it made me feel very vaguely guilty for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/24 "2005-03-02T05:01:40Z")
Nothing to feel guilty about. Buying the coat is no crime or moral failing, assuming you follow the simple rules involved. Some of us got that clothing as a result of our occupations, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/25 "2005-03-02T05:24:15Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > He also tells me that I am an asshole for trying to solicit gratitude from people on the street. Even though you took pains to dissuade him of the notion that you were in the military? Do you think this guy would have an embolism if he wandered into a Army/Navy surplus store? ---
**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/26 "2005-03-02T17:56:52Z")
Dear Mr. Simpson: If you are serious about the ban on the letters “Q”, “X”, and “K”, shouldn’t you provide the government with an example of your plan, such as follows? While it shows a subtle difference in your writing, it would show the government the benefits of such a ban. Sincerely, The Editor > [@plnnr](#): > > To the Editor > Denton Daily Bugle: > > I wish to epress my outrage at all these non-military types who have appropriated the uniform of our brave fighting men and women, and who are masuerading as soilders even as we spea. These people are a disgrace - don’t they now that our boys and girls are dying and bleeding for their right to wear military surplus clothing? What has become of our young people? Just today I etended my hand to a nice young man in a convenience store, wanting to than him for his dedicated service to his country, his flag, and our Lord and Savior George Bush. Imagine my gall when I learned from him that he wasn’t a veteran, but merely a cigarette smoer! > > Additionally, I believe the government should ban the use of the letters “Q,” “X” and “K.” I am not a cracpot. > > Sincerely, > > A. Simpson > Springfield ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/27 "2005-03-02T18:10:23Z")
Imagine his outrage if he sees someone wearing a Starfleet uniform only to find out they’ve never even been off planet! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458/28 "2005-03-03T16:11:32Z")
I have worked at jobs where I was required to wear a tie and I would sometimes wear one with a shortsleeve white shirt, the basic Dilbert look. When grocery shopping after work I would often be approached as if I were the store manager, since they usually Dilbert it up, too. I gave up correcting these people unless they asked something about the store I couldn’t answer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-actually-in-the-military-then-i-am-sure-you-would-be-very-welcome/292458.md?page=1)