My work does stuff for the military and they gave me a shirt that says "Military" with our logo on it.

Regretfully, I never served in the Military but am happy to contribute to products that increase lethality as well as their safety.

Am I a poser to where that shirt in public since I never served?

Seems to me that it's saying you work for a military supporting division of your company. I don't see why someone should find that offensive.

Youre in the industry it sounds like, I wouldn't feel weird about it personally.

The line between wearing a shirt like that (or a “Blue Angels” hat purchased at an air show) and dressing in an actual uniform and misrepresenting yourself as a service member is quite distinct.

You are part of the military industrial complex and the shirt simply reflects that.
No more, no less by the sounds of it.

I think you're good. It isn't like you're pretending to screw a gas tank with a burrito (for those who have been around long enough to understand the reference).

quote:

It isn't like you're pretending to screw a gas tank with a burrito

If you eat enough burritos, why would you need a gas tank?

I have worked in many a defense contracting position over the years. My recollection is that service-branded wear was regarded more a tribute to the service than a claim of honor by association.

I wouldn't worry about it. If it just said "Military", that'd be one thing. I could see how some folks would assume it meant you served. But since it has your company's name/logo, and the "military" portion denotes that you work for that company's military division, I don't see a problem.

No different than a company rep wearing something like a "Colt Law Enforcement" shirt, or a "5.11 Military/Police Sales" polo. Doesn't make people assume they're a cop or soldier, nor does it make the wearer a poser.

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
It isn't like you're pretending to screw a gas tank with a burrito

Ha!

Just me, but I would not be comfortable wearing it if I had not severed.

What are you going to say if someone says 'Thank you for your service'?

quote:

Originally posted by sig229-SAS:
Just me, but I would not be comfortable wearing it if I had not severed.

ITYM "served." "Severed" is something else entirely

I'm w/sig229-SAS: I would be disinclined to wear it, and I'm actually ex-military. The implication's there, IMO.

quote:

I'm w/sig229-SAS: I would be disinclined to wear it, and I'm actually ex-military. The implication's there, IMO.

Sounds like it is about marketing. That sort of stuff annoys me. Like Insurance companies advertising that they are serving America's heroes.

“...and they gave me shirt...”

They honored you and your company with a shirt. Wear it proudly. Screw what anyone else thinks.

I won’t characterize someone who would equate a corporate logo along with the word “military” as signifying that the wearer had been a member of the armed forces, but military vets usually want to make it clear which branch or war they were in rather than a vague reference. If, however, I were concerned about being wrongfully credited with being a military veteran, I’d just be ready to say, “Thanks for the thought, but this only indicates that my company supports the military.” And smile.

And FWIW, thanks to you and your company. Without the people and companies who supply our military with the fantastic warfighting capabilities they have these days, they would not be so successful with so few casualties. It has been a very long time since wars were fought only by the men on the battlefield.

Nope. You're good.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Wear it proudly. If someone says, "Thank you for your service". Proudly say, "I didn't serve, but I'm proud to support. This is a shirt our company gave its employees because we manufacture WIDGETS for the military".

Come on, no one would think you are trying to impersonate uniformed military personnel by wearing such a shirt. If you were wearing a shirt that listed a battalion or the logo of specific military unit that would be different.

Seems to me the only opinions that matter are yours and the customers/military folks who gave it to you.

If short-sighted pettifoggers give you flack, you can honestly say, "That's a fascinating opinion that you have. I can tell you that opinion was not shared by the military personnel who gave me the shirt with the intention that I wear it."

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
I think you're good. It isn't like you're pretending to screw a gas tank with a burrito (for those who have been around long enough to understand the reference).

HA! A memory of the forum from years ago.

Yes, wear it! It is your company logo and the branch of your company that makes stuff for the "military."

As far as "posing" goes, how would that even work? It doesn't even say a branch of the military, nor have a logo from any branch or unit.

If it really bothers you, how old are you? Want to move to Oregon, join the Army National Guard?