A buddy from back east I'm in contact with wants to send me a USS Kansas City ball cap he has because of where I now live. He believes I'm ok to wear it. I did not serve in any way. Question to the SF military members. Would this be in appropriate for me as a civilian to accept & wear? I was told years ago that as a civilian I am ok wearing caps flying the flag but of course no unit insignias. What say you about this ball cap.

Don't see any problem with it. If asked just say it was a gift but didn't serve.

wear it. you are wearing a hat, not claiming anything.

Wear it.


I wear a GI JOE T-shirt and I was never part of America’s daring highly trained special mission force.

18Z50

Wear.

You're supporting the ship store and rainy-day fund.

It is just a ball cap. Somewhere, I have a USS San Jacinto cap that even says plank owner. They gave them out at the commissioning ceremony, which I attended. (Vice President Bush gave the address.)

I don't wear it, but only because it doesn't fit.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Wear.

You're supporting the ship store and rainy-day fund.

You can buy them at various online retailers as well.

Sailors are not required to buy them as they are not considered a required uniform article but I never knew anyone who didn't. Usually the CMC, Division Chief or LPO will get one for any newly reporting personnel. Having said that, to me it would be odd to wear a command ball cap from a unit I was never assigned to.

He wanted you to have it as a gift. Take it and use your judgement as to when to wear it. If you don't feel comfortable wearing it, start (or add to) a ball cap collection.

I'm a retired Navy Chief and say ... wear it

Thanks for the comments. I had a moment of pause. Wanted to be sure yay or nay. I will accept it, wear it, and if asked, say I did not serve, it was a gift. This is the LCS-22 ball cap.

Do you worry about wearing cammo?
Did you think there was a federal law about that?
You are such an incredibly fortunate person.

I liken ships hats to those of Professional Sports.

I may not have served on the New Jersey (BB-62) but I sure am a fan of what her guns did to try and soften up Iwo Jima! I would proudly wear her hat any day.

Retired Chief here....wear it. If anyone gives you any grief tell em a friend gifted it to you.

My opinion differs a bit...

No issue wearing it...but I must confess that when I see someone wearing a command hat, I assume they served on that command.

Be prepared to get asked about "your service"...

Army vet here and I say wear it proudly and if anyone ask say it was a gift and you are supporting our troops. ..........drill sgt.

Cliff,
You're more likely to get "Thanks for your service!" comments than anyone asking if you served on that ship.
So yeah, wear it but be prepared with that "didn't serve; gift" answer.

Cliff, I am the same way.
I won't wear USMC or other military garb for that reason - out of respect for those who actually earned it.
A buddy wanted to give me a USMC shirt a while back and I told him I couldn't wear it.
I am not knocking anyone who does wear something - it's just my perspective and offer of respect.
If I did get a hat or something I wouldn't have a problem of just displaying it but not going to wear it.
YMMV

If the people who served say it's ok to wear then it's ok to wear. Me personally I would not wear it mainly because I don't want to be thanked or asked questions for a service I didn't participate in. I would put it on a shelf in the man cave and just think of my friend every time I looked at it.

Wear it, but be prepared for people to ask you about the ship and when you were there. Just think of a reasonable answer, 'I'm just honoring those who served aboard her' or something like that.

I haven't been on the Battleship NJ BB62 in about 10 years since the boys had been in Boy Scouts. We would stay onboard for 2 nights each time. Leaving, you went through their gift shop which sold BB 62 hats, Zippo lighters etc. I would say it would be alright to wear the hat if you chose.