2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 31, 2014 18:47:58 GMT -5
first off Happy Halloween! Second for those attending costume parties or just dressing up for the event be mindful that replicas and airsoft weapons in public are DUMB and potentially illegal (depending on your local laws). Please be mindful of the sensitivities of others and the impact irresponsible actions might have on our hobby.
With that said, our impressions (minus weapons) can be very cool indeed but even then be aware of the reactions of others who may not get the storm trooper get up.
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Post by ssgjoe on Oct 31, 2014 22:55:01 GMT -5
Some people thought my GI uniform was a "nazi" uniform. Lol
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 1, 2014 0:21:10 GMT -5
I remember once several years ago there was a group (about a half dozen guys) enroute to Jump to Destiny and they were riding together in the same MINI Van. They stopped for gas and several guys got out to stretch their legs. They were in an assortment of German uniforms. (A couple Heer, a couple FJ and at least one SS). A couple in a car also getting gas made a point to come over and "thanked them for their service.". It would have been funny if it wasn't so sad.
Honestly they really didn't quite know what to say.
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Post by brownien on Nov 1, 2014 1:29:43 GMT -5
Lol I've had that happen several times at parades in my M42's! Carrying my real M1 garand at that! Hard to explain I'm just a reenactor trying to support a local organization that donates to troops overseas, while in a parade. A bit sad some people really are so uninformed.
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Post by insterburger on Nov 1, 2014 7:57:35 GMT -5
When I was in college, I went out for Halloween as a US Army Captain of the 5th Army in genuine WWII pinks and greens, with perfect spit and polish down to an accurately assembled ribbon bar circa 1945.
We were at a hole-in-the-wall bar in a pretty down and out neighborhood, and an old guy who was very drunk and clearly didn't know it was Halloween (despite the rest of my friends being in pretty obvious costumes) took me for an active duty officer... He had served in the Korean War era, and obviously I must have closely resembled his idea of what a captain should look like (I guess it never entered his mind that over the course of 40 years, uniforms change). He was addressing me as though I was what I was dressed as, and I didn't know what to do. Luckily one of my friends with me was an active-duty Marine, another in the Army Reserves, so I asked them-- I didn't want to dishonor our military by pretending to be something I wasn't, but I didn't want to make a fool out of this old rummy either by telling him the captain he's been chatting with for the last 10 minutes was just some doofus out for Halloween drinks. They said go ahead and humor the poor guy, and so I did. I asked him about what his responsibilities had been and how long he was in for, and listened attentively to his stories for a good hour plus. When it was time to leave I got up, gave him my sharpest salute, and thanked him for his service. He sprang to attention and saluted back, and it warmed my heart to see the pride in his eyes. I paid for his drinks, he said, "Thanks, captain," and we left him, smiling ear to ear.
That's about the closest I've ever come to impersonating a member of the US military. I hope veterans here understand the motivations and that the idea was not to disrespect, but to honor one lonely, forgotten vet.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 1, 2014 12:13:26 GMT -5
Nah, in a situation like that, no one can blame you for "impersonation", really. Now, if you went around with it outside of halloween and did the stuff most military impersonators try to do, then we have a problem, haha.
On a lighter note, I thought the uniforms were relatively unchanged from WWII to Korea? If the guy served in Korea, he might have thought you were in because that is what he remembers, despite the uniforms changing since then.
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Post by insterburger on Nov 1, 2014 14:18:42 GMT -5
Yup, Drac, that was exactly the case: I looked every inch like the officers he had seen in the service about 40 years prior. I think we did well not to embarrass him by pointing out his error, and we really did help him feel valued, which he richly deserved (and as all who serve do).
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 1, 2014 15:49:47 GMT -5
We talked about that incidence and you handled it brilliantly and sensitively. It is truly amazing how unaware some people are about what uniforms reflect what nations and which branch of services. On a rather flip side of things 40 years ago I took my then fiance to a military Ball in downtown Seattle at the beutiful Olympic Hotel. it was my first occassion to wear my Army Dress Blues and I couldn't have been prouder. The Army Dress Blues are Navy Blue top with Royal Blue trousers and a Gold Cavalry type leg stripe. Instead of ribbons full on medals are worn and the look is quite regal.
At the restaraunt the waiter thought I was in the navy and at the hotel an attractive older woman approached me with a gorgeous smile as I was waiting for my now wife to return from the powder room. I proudly believed she couldn't resist the young soldier. Instead she obviously took me for a bell captain and asked if I could help her with her bag! My ego never recovered!
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 1, 2014 16:17:57 GMT -5
My wife gets that same "treatment" as well. The modern day Navy Dress blues for E1-E3's, who don't have a rank/rate insignia and barely any medals, makes her look like a flight attendant, and was mistaken for one multiple times during he travels on leave and such.
And all those times I was called a Sailor in my Dress Blues when I was on recruiting duty....
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 1, 2014 18:16:44 GMT -5
Or Marine! ( I got that too!). I guess there is an effort to tie the uniform into the old cavalry or perhaps the UNION but I am afrain unlike the Marines the Army just doesn't brand itself very well. I always liked the short Mess Jacket as well.
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