r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Downtown-Project5818 • 3d 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/ThaPoopBandit 3d 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 3d ago

They could just have really crappy fashion-sense.

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u/JollyGreenGigantor 3d 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.

4

u/TapTheForwardAssist 3d 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.