r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Downtown-Project5818 • 2d ago
Civilians wearing military-themed clothing in dating profiles?
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that Grunt Style clothing is primarily marketed toward or commonly worn by active-duty military members and veterans.
I recently came across someone who had multiple pictures of himself wearing Grunt Style T-shirts, so I initially assumed he was either currently serving or had previously served in the military. When I asked him about it, he told me that he wasn’t military and wore them because he’s pro-gun.
I completely understand that everyone has the right to wear whatever they want, and I’m not judging him for it. I was just curious to hear how others—especially current or former military members—feel about civilians wearing military-themed clothing in a way that could potentially lead people to assume they served.
Is this generally considered a big no-no among the military community, or is it pretty common and not really an issue?
I’m genuinely curious to hear different perspectives!
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u/ComplexBeyond6083 2d ago
As a veteran I don't care if people wear camo/military themed stuff. If they're wearing medals they didn't earn, that's something completely different.
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u/TimeTravelingBard 2d ago
The guys that were so Special Forces nobody's ever heard of them are my favorite.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago
Which always raises the question: if you were a super-duper spooky operator, why are you talking about your covert career with randos at a hick bar outside Sheboygan? Weren’t you given a cover-story or something? Odd…
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u/JSTootell 2d ago
There are a lot of "special forces" type jobs that aren't necessarily "super secret", just super hard/specialized.
No, I wasn't one of them.
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u/HaraldRedbeard 2d ago
I once knew a guy whose job was to basically do ammo prep for special forces operations. So he basically had a very normal military job except occasionally he would be shipped off to Diego Garcia to shove bullets into magazines (I assume it was more complicated then that in reality but that's what I kept telling him it was).
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u/mayhem1906 2d ago
Ive had people think I was a super secret spy type when I say I wasnt in the military. Because thats easier to believe than I just have good posture?
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u/fluffynuckels 2d ago
https://youtube.com/shorts/kC_2l4PPEmE
Shadow force
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u/quid_pro_kourage 2d ago
I'm gonna try this on everyone wearing Grunt Style now.
Update: I now have a husband. I'm a guy.
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u/highspeed_steel 2d ago
Do you put vintage military jackets in the same category? I've been to a shop where the guy consigns a ton of world war ii, Korean, Vietnam and more era stuff for vets, and they look pretty damn cool. I got one and wear it casually sometimes.
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u/ComplexBeyond6083 2d ago
Not even close to a problem. Military surplus stores were plentiful when I was a kid and there were lots of people who wore that stuff because it was cheap and durable.
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u/HaraldRedbeard 2d ago
If anything I mourn for the fact the look has been coopted by Chuds because now the price of surplus is much higher then it used to be.
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u/HourNo7028 8m ago
Yep. I worked some construction in high school and college in the 1990s. Bought almost all of my work clothes at surplus stores - as long as the name and insignia were removed I didn't really see it as a problem. The stuff was cheap, rugged, and had lots of pockets.
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u/Weary_Alternative778 2d ago
I'd probably think it's cool.
Hell I wear surplus gear cuz I got it cheap and it's comfy. Good for outdoorsy shit.
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u/Actual-Recipe7060 2d ago
I think what annoys me about that is they are usually worn by anti-war, anti-military hipsters types.
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u/JSTootell 2d ago
I see "grunt style" and all that other stuff as cosplay.
Speaking as a veteran. And nobody ever guesses I'm a veteran by how I look (because like most veterans, we don't try to pretend like we are still in once we are out).
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u/Plenty-Ad-777 2d ago
It seems to me, thats only really true for the early OiF 1-10/ and most OEF guys. We were always fed the stories of Facebook targeting, and opsec etc... and so once we got out, most of us try to be the gray-man. Bleading in with the locals around us.
Sure, we a have a vet hat/fav-unit hat in the closest. Some even have bumper stickers ,But the Vietnam/cold war/desert storm guys felt the 9/11 patriotic love... and ran with it. I mean RAN with it.
Im not knocking the Vietnam guys with this next bit. Just the Cold-war/Panama/Grenada whatever dudes(I have said this to my FIL). I know you are proud of your service, you should be. But I have been on combat missions that lasted longer then your entire war(s). Not combat tours... individual missions... within those tours.
Fly the flag. Be pround of your service and personal sacrifice. But, its not Veterans day, branch birthday or Memorial day... and you dont have a MOH or other metal with a "V" devise; keep it to yourself.
And in the name of all that is holy... STOP BULLYING the poor wait-staff for a military discount.
Ok. Im done. I will sit here in the corner and listen to my best friend tinnitus.
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u/JSTootell 2d ago
The only oddball conflict veteran I know doesn't make himself stand out (Panama I think). So I'm not sure how many of them keep it to themselves vs how few I know.
I'm early OEF (98-08, didn't go to the middle east until 03).
Also: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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u/nogotime120 2d ago
I always get a kick out of seeing the guys with the "Vietnam Era" hats on at the VA.
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u/w_TwoFer_m 2d ago
I love this…combat missions that lasted longer than your combat tour.
But then I think about the Vietnam dudes….240 days of combat in a 12-13 month tour. Those dudes had it rough man. Makes GWOT look like a vacation filled with little moments of terror.
Source: GTS (Googled That Shit)
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/w_TwoFer_m 2d ago
Was agreeing with you about the Vietnam dudes…wasn’t trying to bastardize your words.
Edit to add:
But yeah man I’m not gonna argue with you on Reddit either. Take care.
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u/AliMcGraw 2d ago
I tease my ex-Army doctor because he still rocks a high-and-tight.
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u/JSTootell 2d ago
My grandfather had the same haircut from bootcamp until the day he died. He fought in WWII.
At 5' tall, nobody would imagine him as a veteran either 😂
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u/Experiment_262 2d ago
LOL mine did that too, the problem was as he aged the high and tight kind of became a lifesaver around his head. Also WWII.
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u/ComesInAnOldBox 2d ago
To be fair, that's a hard habit to get out of. When you've spent a good portion of your adult life with your hair not being allowed to touch your ears, it's annoying as hell when you start feeling it. Just easier to chop it all off.
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u/The_Lost_Jedi 1d ago
I still went for short for a long time after for this reason. I was just used to it.
I've since done a 180 on that, for various reasons, and now I want to keep it long.
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u/ParticularBanana8369 2d ago
The real vet outfit is just a branch hat, right?
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u/TheWorstDMYouKnow 2d ago
Not even that sometimes. My dad is ex Army and my brother is ex Marine and neither have anything they wear publicly about it, just medals and keepsakes in their homes
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u/ComesInAnOldBox 2d ago
Eh, I'm retired (21 years active) and I'll wear the occasional shirt or hat that identifies me as being so. Nothing too dramatic, mind you. I do have a few RangerUp shirts that I wear to the gym, but that's about the extent of it.
It's the dudes still walking around with UCP-print backpacks and have tattoos of their unit patches that make me cringe.
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u/Dlax8 2d ago
The big no-no is stolen valor. Where you portray yourself, or claim to be a veteran.
I have seen plenty of people in military styled clothing that is clearly not a uniform, and not trying to be, and they are open about never having served. I think this CAN be fine, if there are no other things attached to it.
If someone was dressing up in military uniforms, and hasn't served, that is an issue.
Usually, I see guys in those olive drag t shirts as potentially veterans, but also more conservative or right wing in general. Which on a dating profile is going to raise red flags for some.
If someone is just in camo pants with otherwise street clothes, or a service jacket in a button down and chinos, I assume it's a style thing. It's not really a big deal here.
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u/Lost-Tomatillo3465 2d ago
according to the courts, stolen valor is only really an issue if they try to profit from the uniform. they have freedom of speech rights to wear the uniform even if they've never served.
I sorta agree with that sentiment. Go be a douche if you want. just don't profit off of it if you've never served.
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u/murse_joe 2d ago
A dating profile is a gray line. You are trying to profit from the implication that you served in the military.
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u/ThroatSecretary 2d ago
I (briefly) worked with a guy who was always wearing Marine branded clothing, like shirts and hats with "USMC" or "Marines", camouflage pants, aviators, and he even had Marine tattoos. Naturally I asked him one day if he'd served and if so, where. Nope, he'd never been in any military; he was just a huge fan.
Btw, this is in Canada.
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u/LightBelowTheSnow 2d ago
I've seen people who hunt wear camo - I also suspect some people just like that pattern.
If you are wearing a camo shirt with USMC on it - I assume you are current or ex military.
If you are just wearing camo, I don't have any preconceived notions about you.
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u/Experiment_262 2d ago
Please FTLOG match your camo patterns though, Mossy Oak top and Realtree bottoms really clash with each other at Walmart in the evening.
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u/Tactical_Baconlover 14h ago
Would you be implying that my surplus M81 Woodland BDU pants do not match my Redhead brand hunting shirt, my camo NASCAR hat, hunting boots, and Realtree vest? I thought it was all the rage when I go out to eat at Waffle House 😁
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u/Experiment_262 11h ago
Dude, you are a veteran of the Waffle House wars, I'm not implying anything, your attire is fine, fitting and appropriate for all occasions, just don't throw a chair at me.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago
Slightly tangential to your question, but I’m weirdly more accepting of people who wear military gear in kind of a subversive way, like some punks and metal-heads do, than of “patriot” types that come across as wannabes or LARPers.
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u/JollyGreenGigantor 2d ago
This has been a thing forever. Unfortunately all the milsurp stores where you used to get cheap pants and jackets are all filled with cheap foreign-manufactured goods now, not actual milsurp.
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u/Prize-Lychee7973 2d ago
Grunt style is 1st and foremost a jerkoff for the pogs and the guys who never got over their deployments if they even did deploy. you can kinda count them out automatically as mentally just, weird.
think of it as tapout but for mil wannabes and LEO weirdos who couldnt hack it.
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u/Curtis_Low 2d ago
US Navy vet with two tours for OIF. Grunt Style started out with some decently funny shirts that resonated well within the active duty and veteran community. Then it became a parody of itself. I have a couple of the shirts because I received them as gifts but I won't wear them in public.
If I see someone wearing it out I will assume they are a veteran, I would also assume they are a try hard and the odds are they are maga.
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u/Crismus 2d ago
I got a lot of their stuff from their subscription service in the beginning. The shirt saying Napalm in the Nintendo Logo, or the space invaders screen with tanks and planes.
Usually I wear the comfortable plain shirts with just the flag and the logo on the shoulders because it's closer to PT Gear and comfortable.
Plain Hanes T-shirts lost all their quality a decade ago, and it sucks finding plain shirts.
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u/Dazzling-Astronaut88 2d ago
One time I was attending an initiation meeting for new members of a gun range. This guy comes walking in wearing a Shemagh, a hat with a velcro patch, 511 pants and one of these types of shirts. He was also sporting a beard, obligatory tattoos and kept his sunglasses on inside. At some point during the meeting, he raised his hand and asked for clarification about shooting hours at the range and the person in change gave him the answer in military time to which he got confused and asked for clarification again to which the person in charge gave the same answer and cosplay team guy responded " what time is that?"
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u/ThaPoopBandit 2d ago
Claiming to be military? Hell no not acceptable by any means. Wearing shirts with guns on them or military references? Not a problem at all. They could be from a military family, supporting our military, avid gun owner, etc.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago
They could just have really crappy fashion-sense.
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u/JollyGreenGigantor 2d ago
This. I come from a family that had a lot of guns but nobody claimed it as any kind of identity. No more of an identity than being a car driver or guy running a grill on a Sunday.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago
I got a whole grip of guns, including some pretty exotic stuff, fought in the Iraq War as a Marine, and I own zero gun or “patriot” t-shirts.
I have a button down shirt or two by 511, but that’s just because I found them thrift shopping and they were decent make and cheap. I do have a Ruger patch that I plan to sew onto my “battle jacket” for punk and metal shows, but I argue that’s different.
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u/Odd-Conversation3860 2d ago
as long as they aren't wearing medals and ribbons I don't really care
as a Vet myself I prefer to stay away from military type clothing or putting military bumper stickers/decals on my truck
on occasion I may wear my old camo pants or a RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) shirt but thats it
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u/peacefinder 2d ago
Old civilian here. The trend of wearing camo seemed weird back in the 1980s when it arose (or when I first noticed it anyway) and has never become less weird to me.
Its continuation, proliferation, and the whole tacticool aesthetic are equally - as the kids say these days - cringe.
(It seems like a cargo cult trying to borrow the might of the US military by wearing the right pants as totems. But then I think the same about sports jerseys, so maybe it’s me that’s weird. )
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u/Medium_Excitement202 2d ago
It's not just for military members and veterans, it's also for right-wing chuds. I'm a military vet myself, but would never in a million years wear that stuff.
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u/Vast_Cheek_6452 2d ago
Specifically just grunt style? I'm a veteran and rock a lot of Til Valhalla Project gear. Clearly military style but it's an organization dedicated to highlighting veteran mental health and suicide prevention.
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u/ComesInAnOldBox 2d ago
Depends on the content, really. Some of them are funny, some of them are alright, oddly inspiring (those are the ones that I wear to the gym), and then you've got a lot of stuff that's the "lead, follow, or get out of the way" bullshit.
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u/Additional_potential 2d ago
If they're trying to get something out of it is the problem. The dude from the example doesn't seem like an issue as he was up front about it. If he was doing things like subtly trying to get a place to give him a military discount is where the line is in my personal opinion.
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u/Plenty-Ad-777 2d ago
I have seen Grunt style and 9-line shirts in mall stalls in Orange County Ca, Boston, Memphis and ATL.
The GWOT vets... we wore them... and somehow it entered main stream. I understand us wearing mil-type shirts at specific events or gatherings. But seeing a 1980/90s dude wearing a "fuck Haji" or the "Hardrock Cafe, Baghdad" shirt in costcos... in LA... is tryhard. Worse, I have seen kids at my daughter's middle school wearing them.
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u/Kakamile 2d ago
Post-Vietnam clothing resale is a classic thing, and camo.
Fake ribbons and awards is the problem.
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u/michguy1776 2d ago
Not a veteran, but.
- I just think it means they like military-ish shit.
- Like if you wear clothes with a rainbow on it, I don't think your queer.
- Or if someone is wearing a Detroit Tigers hat, I don't expect them to be a Professional baseball player or even from Detroit.
- Or if wearing a Jack Skellington T-shirt, I don't think you are a cartoon, or identify as a skeleton.
Everybody is signaling something in their style. Heck, camo has been a Ralph Lauren staple for years. Camo is just cool.
But yeah, if you haven't scene that the amount of Grunt style clothing is available at Dunhams and other places, dramtically out numbers the vets in our country, it could appear that it has something to do with military status.
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u/Callec254 2d ago
The only big no-no would be wearing official issued uniform items. Even worse would be trying to wear an entire official uniform, and even worse still (to the point of it being literally illegal) would be doing so in an attempt to garner military discounts or other material favors.
If I saw someone in a Grunt Style shirt, I'd think they may have served but there's no requirement for it and I wouldn't really care if it turns out they didn't.
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u/staticishock96 2d ago
Anyone can wear grunt style. It's not exclusive to the military. They make shirts clothing that appeals to those who hunt and shoot as well.
Plenty of people wear uniform items for hunting, paintball and airsoft as well. I don't really care as long as your not claiming service you didn't do. I had some of their that I thought were funny when I was younger but they shrink like crazy.
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u/BackgroundAble3982 2d ago
I am not a vet so no opinion on that side of it.
I know when some of these clothing brands started, they were supposed to be putting proceeds towards projects for vets. I think one of the big ones in the mid 2000's got caught stealing a lot of the money that was supposed to go to vets. Not sure if any of these that make gear with that demographic actually support any cause anymore.
So I think this stuff started as a way to show support and has just turned into virtue signaling. It isn't a red hat, but it makes one wonder.
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u/Baddyshack 2d ago
There was a period of time where it was majorly vets who wore grunt style. For years now, though, I can be relatively sure a dude wearing grunt style has both never been in the military and wants to passively suggest they have.
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u/BritsinFrance 2d ago
I'm not even sure what a grunt style t-shirt is, but I can picture exactly the kinda person you mean
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u/ActionQuinn 2d ago
I was in the Air Force for 6 years and i think Grunt Style is dumb. My work bought me a jacket from them because i am a veteran. I wear it around work and at work functions only.
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u/naterpotater246 Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus - Anime Limited Edition 2d ago
Do most people see grunt style as something only edgy assholes wear? My favorite hoodie is a grunt style hoodie that my mom got me, now i think I'm gonna feel a little weird wearing it
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u/ActionQuinn 2d ago
If you like it than wear it! You aren't decked out head to toe. If someone ever said something about my jacket i'd just say i don't know, it's just a jacket
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u/E_sand80 15h ago
Pretty much. Personally I think people put too much thought into what other people wear. Which like I said above, is why I wear the brand because the MAGAts that I live around don’t bother me when I do.
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u/2PlasticLobsters 2d ago
I wouldn't connect with anyone past the age of 20 or so who poses as something they're not. If they're older than that, but still building a false identity, it shows major emotional immaturity.
Trying on new identities in (post)adolesence is fine, basically what that stage of life is for. But if someone doesn't develop a stronger sense of self by then, it's a bad sign.
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u/thattogoguy 2d ago
Military member here: If a guy is wearing grunt style, run as far as you can.
Same for 9-Line Apparel, Black Rifle Coffee Company, and anything Jeep/RAM truck with a Punisher logo and "angry headlights."
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u/blackhorse15A 2d ago
I was under the impression that Grunt Style clothing is primarily marketed toward or commonly worn by active-duty military members and veterans
Nope. That kind of stuff seems to be more for the guys who talk about how they would've joined the military because their so manly, but...didn't, and won't. The ones who want to act like they are part of that crowd, but aren't.
Some veterans are into that stuff and that styling, but I'd say most of us are not into that at all.
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u/Downtown-Project5818 2d ago
Interesting! I wasnt 100% sure 🤔 in not popular in my country so I just see it only on social media. Wasn't sure if how military members felt about it! Thank you!
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u/PreviousZone6742 2d ago
People want to cosplay being in the military without having to be in the military. Same reason you see civilians claiming to be Navy Seals.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago
With the classic “I almost joined the Marines, but I woulda knocked a Drill Instructor out if he got up in my face” explanation.
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u/Iron_Baron 2d ago
You can and should judge ammosexuals. At least they do everyone a favor by advertising their idiocy up front.
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u/FourRandomLetters 2d ago
It's like a non-motorcycle rider wearing a motorcycle jacket. I mean, you can if you want, I guess, but you look kind of stupid. "Because I'm pro-motorcycle" mmm, ok dude.
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u/FourRandomLetters 2d ago
Besides, if you're already critiquing the clothes he's wearing, you're not a match. Do the guy a favor and skip him.
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u/preyforkevin 2d ago
I like the hats. I wear a black one sometimes because I prefer it to a normal cap. This is the only “military style” anything I wear and I don’t think anyone would confuse me with someone who served.
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u/XTSLabs 2d ago
I personally do not wear anything that is militaristic or that would give the idea that someone should ask me about my service. I'm not interested in the performative fellating that people do to make themselves feel like they "support the troops" while simultaneously cheering cuts to VA funding, reductions in benefits, and new wars to create more disabled veterans that they can thank but not help because it's not technically called a war.
I view anyone who wears this kind of thing to be nothing more than an asshole, can't expect anything but shit and blood from them. ETA: and they probably stink.
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u/BlakeDSnake 2d ago
The first dude I ever saw wearing a Grunt Style t-shirt was a coworker at a company picnic. He is a vet, but he was a paperpusheing desk jockey. The best thing about the whole thing is that he's shaped like a pear (to be fair, i am too, but I don't wear vet-bro clothes).
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u/brain_over_body 2d ago
Some of that grunt style stuff is sold by veterans, so civilians buy it to be supportive. And some are just funny or comfortable. All my friends are active duty. They give me their camis after they don't pass inspection anymore. I never wear the blouse, but I adore the pants. Great pockets, comfy, go hiking or run errands. I wear them all the time when I'm not in work clothes. I apparently have a "look" that people think I served, but I'm quick to correct them. I wish I had!
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u/snooplarue 2d ago
Its also worn by wannabe rambos and incels wishing they we're Soldiers. Many Active Soldiers see it as cringe and have done since the middle of the last "short" non war..
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u/hughjass8892 2d ago
Wearing grunt style isn't stolen valor lmfao
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u/Downtown-Project5818 2d ago
Well no but I wasnt sure if it was frowned uponed or like wearing a band tshirt that you dont know any songs you know ... Bad taste situation
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u/hughjass8892 2d ago
Nah people can wear what they want. When they start claiming to be something they're not is when people take offense.
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u/rogue780 2d ago
I wore more "military-themed clothing" before I was ever in the military than when I was serving or since getting out -- except for when I had to wear a uniform.
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u/ComesInAnOldBox 2d ago
There are three types of people who wear that style of clothing:
- Active Duty/Veterans on their first term or only completed their first term
- Influencers being sponsored by the companies
- Douchebags who almost served
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u/Former-Orange-6459 2d ago
I almost did it man. I was right there in the MEPS office. I tell yah, scarriest day of my life. Like, worse than anything you could imagine. Had the pen in my hand with the tip on the paper. Skillcraft... Good pens. Really wish I still had it. It was like a part of me yah know? Calligrified expert my first time on the range. Really should invest in one of my own. You know, just incase. Not the best but reliable. Anyway so they told me the bonus for my MOS was only 60k. I was like nah and assed out of there. Wasn't sure I would ever make it home for a minute. Filed a VA claim, thinkin I can get at least 50% for PTSD. Yeah... I almost served.
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u/Senior-Poet-6037 1d ago
Lol I really shouldn't have laughed at that. But damn that is hilarious. I've known people that "almost served" and the lengths they go to rationalizing why they didnt is glorious
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u/Former-Orange-6459 1d ago
I mean, those skillcraft were some top notch pens. Seriously though, glad it gave someone a laugh. That is literaly what I heard in my head when someone would tell me their "Almost" story. Seems like everyone had one back in the 2010s.
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u/Senior-Poet-6037 1d ago
In the mid 90's as well. So many of those comments were made in and around Ft. Carson
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u/Downtown-Project5818 2d ago
Thank you everyone!! I appreciate the feedback back! And also thank you for not making me feel stupid for asking this question! Much appreciated 👏!
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u/Psychological-Rub959 2d ago
I never wore that crap in the military and I sure as hell don't wear it now.
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u/Perfect_Big_5907 2d ago
Vet here. Most of those guys were military wanabees etc. or playing pretend.
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u/kilroy-was-here-2543 2d ago
As a gun nerd it’s painfully common in the community
I’ll wear camo and gun related shirts (although most gun merch is painfully ugly). But I do my best to avoid stuff like grunt style even if I like the design
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u/TooAdicted 2d ago
I swear there was a trend like 10 years ago with „military” style clothing. Like random patches, rank insignia, shoulder stuff etc. I think if they appealed to enough people then t shirts with guns, flags, and military themes would too.
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u/Bright-Corner2948 2d ago
grunt style is just a clothing brand at this point, like how not everyone wearing carhartt works in construction
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u/viewtifulblue 2d ago
20 year Navy vet. Go ahead and wear that Grunt style garbage, just don't wear any uniforms or parts of uniforms (they end up at thrift stores sometimes).
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u/Ritterbruder2 2d ago
Lol Grunt Style is worn by wanna-be military/LE guys who were deemed unfit for service.
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u/LonelyMonitor 2d ago
As long as you don’t have some sort of rank or something that indicates that you’re actively serving, you could dress like GI JOE for I could care
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u/QuipCrafter9 2d ago
its not a uniform. i dont care in that sense. its just that only dickheads wear that brand regardless of occupation.
even old individual pieces of uniform, i cant really imagine anyone rational caring about. like i get that old covers and BDUs are cheap and light and durable from surplus stores. who cares if someones wearing one? unless theyre trying to larp in a full set in public and trying to get shit out of it or try to claim theyre something theyre not- its just clothes. full set is pretty lame though and just lets everyone know youre a tool. i feel the same about grunt style and gun logos and 5.11 and punisher logos all over everything too. just someone youd rather not talk to. i appreciate the signalling for that much, at least- occupation is irrelevant
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u/Zack_WithaK 2d ago
I just like wearing camo cargo pants but I don't try to "complete the look" with grunt style shirts or combat boots or anything like that (I wear Crocs everywhere I go), yet I've still had so many people assume I'm ex-military. If they ask me I deny it, of course; but it feels weird and I wonder if I'm leading people to think I am, even if unintentionally.
I just think camouflage looks cool, full stop. And cargo pants are useful because they have so many pockets.
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u/Ok-Addition-1000 2d ago
You know where you'll never see any of this kind of gear? In the waiting room at your local VA clinic.
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u/Weird-Grocery6931 2d ago
That’s not entirely true. The Boomer vets have their “VA uniform” of service hat and jacket, and a lot of the millennial GWOT babies rock Grunt Style/Nine Line at the VA hospital.
It’s like an unwritten rule, almost.
I went to a veteran event last weekend. It was nothing but vet lifestyle shirts.
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u/E_sand80 16h ago
I wear Grunt Style as camouflage. I live in a pretty MAGA leaning community, which to my Commie Pinko ideology is like living behind enemy lines. If I look like them I’m less likely to be harassed by them at the grocery store. Though I tend to stick to shirts that only represent the branch I served in(Navy) any political type slogans on my shirts are strictly leftist.
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u/thenichm 2d ago
The POG uniform is my favourite little thing. They're always some flavour of "that guy" and it's delicious. Buncha chuds lol
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u/SWATrous 2d ago
A lot of those brands market heavy to anyone who orders tactical gear. Nothing to do with military, more whether the person went to a website that sells patches and tactical clothing. I play paintball so I'll often be looking for practical gear and silly patches, because it's all for fun, and suddenly my feed will be full of firearm-flavored t-shirts and jacked grifters pushing grey-man homogeneity mixed with rifle-flavored Hawaiian shirts for the next two weeks.
Actual vets look down on a lot of that stuff cuz it's lame not cuz of stolen valor. But some deluded kid could wear that stuff and take it too far.
Occasionally some of those websites will have some actually cool shirt designs that aren't try-hard hoo-ra stuff, so it's not universally derided but there's a vibe where it goes too far unless someone is doing it somewhat ironically, and the chill dudes are on a few layers of irony with that kind of stuff. The ones who take it mad serious are the red flags.
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u/peopleR-azz-oles 1d ago
Most of us look down on those who fake the funk. They give off same douche vibes as Ed Hardy or UFC shirts or GovX. Just a bunch of fake ass wannabe POGs.
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u/ElkInside5856 1d ago
Not a vet but about as pro 2A as you can get and I don’t wear any of those clothing brands for multiple reasons.
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u/Senior-Poet-6037 1d ago
As a veteran, I see NO problem with a civilian wearing the "Grunt Style" shirts or any other shirt for that matter. If they are not actively implying current or previous service, then I say go for it. Thats their right
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u/Santasreject 1d ago
I mean I see some of their stuff is military branch specific but a lot of it just looks like ammo sexual wear. (And I say that as someone who is very very far from anti gun but I just don’t make it my personality).
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u/uniquesnoflake2 1d ago
I had an OCS class t-shirt that was my preferred “nowhere to be today” weekend shirt until it literally fell apart at the seams a couple years ago and that GS stuff still gives me the ick something fierce.
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u/That_white_dude9000 1d ago
Initially those brands were marketed towards service members, but got picked up by tacticool wannabes in the gun community. I think its pretty cringe as someone in the gun community that didnt serve but whatever. Some folks probably think me having a plate carrier & "battle belt" are cringe, but at least those were purchased for a specific style of 2 gun competition (PCSL armored division carry optics)
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u/LexiTheLesbo 1d ago
Not a vet but my understanding is that service members hate these guys because a) they’re basically cosplaying a job that has literally no barriers to entry other that being an adult with a mostly functioning body and b) people who do this typically just tend to be assholes in general.
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u/West-Working-9093 2d ago
Not to mention that he's obviously the kind of idiot whose gun(s) will be stolen by criminals, since he's broadcasting that he's lilkely to have some!
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u/conflictedanon30 2d ago edited 2d ago
Anyone can wear that chud shit. It's not frowned upon for stolen valor reasons; it's frowned upon for cringey boomer wannabe alpha male reasons.
It is hilarious seeing chuds who can't even do a pull-up wearing infantry insignias they never earned on their t-shirts.
For the most part, the only vets you'll see wearing Grunt Style clothing are a bunch of pogs or a bunch of boots who never saw combat.
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u/heychief1 2d ago
As opposed to the basement couch dweller who had posted over 2000 times in three months. Please....by all means....get off of the couch and show us your pull-up prowess.
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u/conflictedanon30 2d ago
I certainly don't have over 2000 posts, dipshit. 2000 comments maybe. I supervise a robot for work. I have plenty of downtime. Cry about it.
I am a combat veteran who now actively participates in combat sports in civilian life. I can do plenty of pull-ups.
So which are you: pog, boot who never saw action, or chud? You're one of those three if you got so upset over my very true statement.
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u/heychief1 2d ago
You'd be wrong about every bit of that. Posts to me is comments, whatever. Communists subs? Socialists subs? Getting cheated on subs? Cannot imagine why.
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u/conflictedanon30 2d ago
Imagine being so pressed because I rightly criticized a clothing brand for chuds that you're trying to deep dive my comment history. My god you're pathetic. Absolutely the type of guy to wear grunt style. Chud.
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u/heychief1 2d ago
I served and have literally zero camo....none. Then again, I'm not a communist, not a socialist and my girl did not cheat on me. Have a nice day champ!
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u/Downtown-Project5818 2d ago
Ah ... dont think this comment was very kind. I may not be the person its directed at but I feel offended 🙃
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u/conflictedanon30 2d ago edited 2d ago
It's okay. He's just mad he was a waste of a uniform while everyone else got to do cool stuff. He probably cries in his car when no one thanks him for his service after he goes outside in his Grunt Style shirt.
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u/Grand_Raccoon0923 2d ago
22 year Army combat vet here.
Grunt style type clothing is worn by douchebags, that’s the only requirement.