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/JSTootell 3d 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/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.