When did wearing military qualification badges on your lapel become a thing?
It's fine by me.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
May 17, 2022, 10:53 AM
bald1
Over the years I've acquired numerous military and civilian lapel pins covering the gamut.
But there are only two that I'll wear and then only on special occasions. One reflects my military service, the other my federal civilian time.
First my Retired Navy pin
And second, my Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award (similar to the military Legion of Merit) pin (it reflected both my Navy and Air Force civilian years).
Bottom line, I'm sure the retired Colonel wears that particular pin because it holds special meaning to him personally. Can't fault him for that at all.
Certifiable member of the gun toting, septuagenarian, bucket list workin', crazed retiree, bald is beautiful club! USN (RET), COTEP #192
May 17, 2022, 11:00 AM
Gustofer
quote:
Originally posted by selogic: I guess I should have jumped his ass instead of thanking him for his service ?
Where did I say or suggest that? Good Lord some of you guys are sensitive.
I guess I'm just more humble than most and do not feel the need to advertise my accomplishments, especially the really insignificant ones.
________________________________________________________ "Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton.
May 17, 2022, 12:08 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by Gustofer:
I guess I'm just more humble than most and do not feel the need to advertise my accomplishments, especially the really insignificant ones.
Dude. WTF is wrong with you? Did you wash out of Air Assault school?
Quit while you're ahead
Mastriano also has jump wings and he probably rotates wearing them too
May 17, 2022, 12:27 PM
airbubba
i only see something tied to combat arms/all services...no cooks, clerks, admin tabs!!
May 17, 2022, 01:49 PM
ZSMICHAEL
Politicians certainly use their military service if it fosters getting them elected. What is important is what they do for veterans, nothing else. Duke Cunningham used his military service to get elected and when the fraud caught up with him, his time in the military did not help him.
May 17, 2022, 04:53 PM
229DAK
Be happy it's not a PowerPoint tab.
_________________________________________________________________________ “A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.” -- Mark Twain, 1902
May 17, 2022, 05:18 PM
cas
Chicks dig helicopters.
May 17, 2022, 06:35 PM
LoboGunLeather
I'm not a candidate for public office. I am a two-tour Vietnam combat veteran, 70% permanent service-connected disability.
My truck has Purple Heart license plates. I also display the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and eight ribbons on my rear window (Bronze Star "V", Purple Heart 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal "V", Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service Medal).
I have several caps displaying some of these awards, also the unit patches for the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Aviation Brigade, Pathfinder School, and Jungle Expert badge.
When wearing a suit and tie I usually display the rosettes representing the Purple Heart medal and Bronze Star on my lapel.
I stand when the US flag is posted or displayed. I pay solemn attention when the national anthem is played. The Stars & Stripes are displayed in front of my home on appropriate occasions.
Most Americans understand why I do these things. For the others I have no way to explain and no wish to try.
Retired holster maker. Retired police chief. Formerly Sergeant, US Army Airborne Infantry, Pathfinders
May 17, 2022, 06:56 PM
barryinpa
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by pedropcola:
I'm a Navy guy so I have no idea what that badge represents.
thanks for the link on the air assault badge, was wondering about that, as I had rappelled out of choppers back in the late 60's when I was in the Big Red One. never had one then. Barry
It means he rappelled out of perfectly good helicopters instead of getting off them when they landed
Originally posted by Gustofer: You know how to rappel and do a sling load!
I never rappelled from a helicopter. Jump? Yes. However, I sling loaded howitzers, jeeps, trailers and Gamma Goats under Chinooks and Skycranes for 6½ years at Fort Campbell and Alaska. I had some excellent NCOs as my mentors. I was scheduled to attend Air Assault School at Fort Campbell several times, but other duties always seemed to get in the way. Sling loading a battery of 155mm howitzers from point A to point B is not an easy dance.
quote:
Exactly everyone could pass that
And how, exactly, do you know this? Please explain.
_________________________________________________________________________ “A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.” -- Mark Twain, 1902
May 18, 2022, 08:40 AM
pedropcola
I for one would rather have veterans in Congress than lawyers. I am a big fan of people who have actually seen how fucked up govt is to be up there rather than guys who live on paperwork and conflict. Doesn't mean every vet is a good choice by any means but it certainly is a better indicator than a law school degree to me. Not trying to bash lawyers but fuck them. (ok maybe a bash lol) Lawyers have largely written the bad laws in this country, lawyers have largely ruled incorrectly from the bench in this country, they are overwhelmingly the largest component of Congress. Lawyers obviously serve a role, they shouldn't be running the corporation (USA) though.
It is time for that ratio to change. Prior military is as good a place to start as any. This Colonel is putting out a very visible sign of his military service to help gain votes. I doubt he wears this when he is bowling. I understand and support this. He would be a huge step up in quality for PA.
May 18, 2022, 01:14 PM
calugo
quote:
Originally posted by Gustofer: Not really a bitch to pitch, but to me this is just silly, or pandering. It seems like everyone nowadays is doing it.
The latest I've seen is Doug Mastriano, candidate for PA governor wearing an Air Assault badge. Really? Air Assault? Cool! You know how to rappel and do a sling load! Exactly everyone could pass that, and it's not really an accomplishment to be overly proud of. A SEAL trident or SF tab? OK, maybe I can see that, but an Air Assault badge? How about jump wings? Or, perhaps, I should start wearing my EFMB on my lapel.
Sheesh. I like Mastriano, but Haysoos Kristo, lose the badge. Nobody is impressed that you walked your way through a two week course and that that was the pinnacle of your military accomplishments.
I see lots of veterans wearing various badges from their days in the military, nothing to get all worked up about so long as they earned the badge which Mastriano has clearly done.
May 18, 2022, 03:30 PM
jhe888
He's a pol and wants to let everyone know he was in the Army. It is a little pandering-y, but . . .
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
May 18, 2022, 07:35 PM
Lefty Sig
Maybe just because it looks cool. He could just as well wear the jump wings. A campaign ribbon would like like a colorful tie tack and more or less meaningless to the average person. I'd be OK if he wore a bird on his lapel. He earned it.
Really, right now with all the hawks that NEVER SERVED wanting to escalate with the Russians over Ukraine, real vets who've served in real wars need to be in Congress to talk some sense into the rest of them. And he needs to be on the panel questioning the Joint Chief about the next colossal fuck up. Not that it will do any good, but...
May 19, 2022, 12:56 AM
wishfull thinker
If he or anybody else wants to wear a memento (for lack of a better word) of service I'm good with it. God bless him.
I have a state (WA) provided Viet Nam Service Ribbon on the rear license plate of my truck. It comes with an accompanying VETERAN decal that I didn't use, so it's just the little yellow ribbon with the red lines. A friend asked me what it was and when I explained it he asked if I thought many people would know what it signified. I told him it wasn't there for them, it was there for the ones who would already know.
So I have no beef with anybody that wants to give a little heads up that he answered the call.
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May 19, 2022, 01:44 AM
Jester814
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund: When did being triggered by the most inconsequential things become a thing?
I can't believe you said that. How dare you?
________________________________________________
May 27, 2022, 09:57 PM
Glynn863
I wear my Army Engineer Crest and my former unit crest on my suit jacket lapel.
No complaints so far, only compliments.
May 28, 2022, 05:35 PM
BB61
Recipients of the MOH automatically receive a lapel pin. If it is appropriate for the very highest honor a member of the military may receive, why not for other awards, ribbons, badges, etc. You served and can be proud of it.
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May 28, 2022, 09:28 PM
drill sgt
When wearing a ball cap (veterans) and asked if I served in Viet Nam my reply is Viet Nam Era serving in/ on/ inside Korean DMZ being shot and could not return fire. We had to play by the rules but the other side did not.... Have veterans plates on the car that are actually issued to the wife because of her 8 1/2yrs active duty US Army. ..... I consider any one who served be they a mail clerk / cook / medic / driver / company clerk / etc. that they are just as important as those that actually served on the front line in a combat action zone and deserve to be called a veteran. ...... Have been known to wear my Drill Sgt / smokey bear / campaign hat while riding motorcycles with Patriot Guard Riders as escort for military veteran funerals and other servicies after arrival at destination..... Once had someone get up in my face about the "Drill Sgt" hat because of a long poney tail and white beard...Response was that would like to see him try and remove it..... If you earned it then go for it.. Wore the Drill Sgt hat for 3 years at Ft Sill, Okla with the Field Artillery Training Brigade..........But I have no love lost for anyone caught doing the "Stolen Valor"....................... drill sgt.This message has been edited. Last edited by: drill sgt, May 29, 2022 05:45 PM
