Well, if you don’t care what people think, get just the swastika part. Nobody will think that you are a poser, because they will think that you didn’t pass the security clearance part.
Why did you asked about disrespect or appropriateness if you don’t care what people think?
I care about disrespecting the men who served, most of whom are deceased. I do not want to dishonor them. I really don’t care what the man on the street thinks.
Well, since you can’t ask dead guys, why don’t you take the advice of the living veterans who are answering your question in this thread?
There are an infinite number of ways you can honor your relative. Only one of them is tattooing his old unit insignia on your body.
My general opinion on the wearing of military gear of any kind is: earn it.
I mean no disrespect and I believe you when you say your sole intention is to honor your relative, but tattooing granddad’s unit patch on yourself smacks of trying to steal some of his glamour.
Unrelated:
You can’t see them if they’re on your back, either. How often do you even remember they’re there?
The thunderbird symbol itself probably wouldn’t cause too many eyebrows to rise. I’ve seen similar versions in tattoo shops before.
In my opinion, without any other markings such as your grandfather’s name, or dates of service, etc., it would be like getting a tattoo of the Navy Seals’ eagle, anchor and trident: inappropriate for anyone other than an authorized service member to wear.
I agree with the other vets (I was peacetime though) and would add that you don’t need a tat to honor his memory. It’s obvious here you honor him. You mentioned it as a way of sparking a conversation. As was mentioned, that might be a bad way of doing it.
Some drunk in the bar will likely give you shit, etc. Real combat vets don’t go around looking for reasons to talk about their experiences. But if you see an old fart (or young, it doesn’t really matter which war) in the bar/at the bus stop wherever with a tat, insignia, or a hat, you might gently ask about it, and maybe “spark” a conversation, as you said.
Something like “Excuse me sir, is that a 7th Div whatever?” If he says yep, blah blah, then you can mention your granddad and how he was a medic. Then you will likely get your conversation in a good way, and hear some great stories about how the medics saved his ass or his buddies.
OK guys. Thanks for your input. I think what I may do is get a stylized thunder bird similar to the one in the insignia, but not on a red field like a patch. It will be a thunderbird, but not a patch. I think this is appropriate. I will post the tat when it is done.
My brother has a couple of pieces that stem from his military service. One is a platoon tattoo on his ankle; the other is his Ranger tab and “sua sponte” on his forearm. It’s great and all, but it raised a couple of eyebrows when he went back into the military a few years later and joined Special Forces!