From the article: Trick or Treat
On October 31st of each year, small children (and some not-so-small "children") dress up in costumes and go door-to-door begging strangers for candy. Should military uniforms be allowed to be worn as costumes? Share Your Opinion
INFO
- Sounds exactly as if the author wasn't thinking of those wearing insignias, hats, coats and ribbons of the U. S. Army while standing at the VietNam Wall...In Washington, DC, prosecute? I'll bet you'd be hard pressed to find a DA prosecute THOSE HEROES OF THE VIET NAM WAR!
- —Guest Tom
who cares
- I spent 30yrs in the military. Items purchased by citizens (aka not issued) belong to those citizens. Aside from misrepresenting oneself for personal gain, the stolen valor act is BS. Military service is payback for the freedoms we all enjoy and the sacrifices of those who went before us in defense of freedom. This isn't communist russia where the state reigns supreme.
- —Guest rcmdblgr@aol.com
wearing army uniforms besides halloween
- i believe that military uniforms worn by civilians should not be a crime because if they wear the uniforms to honor our men and women who have served or are serving, doesn't the government have bigger things to worry about besides who wears the uniform besides our military? hat about the national debt, or the oil crisis? i wear them to support our military because my parents were in the military and are fine with what i wear, and are proud that i support our troops.
- —Guest j
wearing of military uniform
- I'm a former Marine. I served four and half years, honorably discharged. I feel that these regulations, even I need permission to wear the uniform I served in. As far as the law goes, children, reenactment actors, former honorably discharged members should have the blessing of the branches to wear the uniform as long as its respectfully done. On a era of war on terror why can't our fellow Americans dress in there former uniforms or dress up once a year to idealize there heroes?
- —Guest jim
Dangerous advice
- I read your article and found some hazardous advice. First off, unless you're an attorney, you may be committing a crime by giving legal advice. Second, your local District Attorney or prosecutor can't enforce Federal law, i.e. 10 USC 771. Only a US Attorney in a US District Court can prosecute in this matter. Armed service's CID, OSI, and "maybe" the FBI would investigate the case. Direct inquiries to the US Attorney's Office.
- —Guest Just a local cop
dogs
- I am making a USMC dress blues tunic for my dog.Is it ilegal for him to wear it.
- —Guest rose
Once An Eagle Always An Eagle
- It should be a matter of OBVIOUS intent. A grown adult trying to pass self off as something he/she never was is, I believe, punishable under "STOLEN VALOR". A kid who...proud of his Dad...may wish to dress up in, say, a flight suit adorned with Pop's insignia. As a vet, I often wear my "Grizzly Army" flight jacket. In the earlier years following my separation, I retained some of the "adornments": rank, squadron insignia, etc. These have long-since been removed on behalf of my young son, however...many years retired...I still wear it (now, a bit on the snug side) with pride. Though I was never a Naval Aviator, I still wear my Dad's flight jacket which he gave me on my 18th.
- —Guest Ole Guy
wheren a soldiers uniform for holloween
- I was wanderen if i can where a military outfit from a game called mw2 cus the charectors look like modern soldiers. Im 15 years old and wandering if its ok for holloween. Is it?
- —Guest joe
Really?
- Aren't there bigger things to worry about? Who cares if a kid dresses up as a soldier for Halloween, or a couple dress up as soldiers for the holiday. Stolen Valor is one thing- but getting your panties in a bunch because of a halloween costume? We have bigger things to worry about.
- —jimley815
What about police?
- I just saw an episode of Cops that took place in New Orleans in which New Orleans Police, (not Shore Patrol,) dressed up in enlisted Navy dress blues to do prostitution and drug stings during mardi gras. I believe this to be illegal; is it? To clarify, these police officers were not current military and certainly they looked too young to be retired military. Thanks.
- —Guest DTE
military uniform
- i have an camo combat military uniform that is used for out in the woods and it has no patches on it except the branch name. i will take the branch name off of it. i got jungle combat boots for it. i wear the whole uniform in honor of those who have fallen and those who are at war. thanks for you time
- —Guest brandon jones
NOT Black and White
- The military in its doctrine tries to be black and white but everyone knows this is not always the case. I personally believe that NOONE other than an active military member should be able to wear legitimate articles of military clothing, to include the Physical Fitness uniforms. I just returned from the 24hr fitness gym near my home and saw a gentleman wearing the current Army PT Shirt and he had ripped it to shreds. I find this very offensive. I knew he wasnt a service member because any memebr with a sense of pride and dignity would never rip apart a legitimate article of our uniform for fashion making. I approached him and let him know that I didnt want to be rude and had no legal standing to tell him to change or anything but I just wanted to give him something to think about, and that simply was, You as an individual did not earn the right to wear that. If you want to support us, go buy a magnet. Now of course I believe there should be exceptions (retirees at military events etc)
- —Guest Army NCO
Fraud and Lying about Military service.
- If illegal wearing of military distinctive items is O.K.,can I pose as a Policeman,Priest,Federal Judge(Black robes).I think not!Shame on LIARS ! I served 41 years of military service and am disgusted with the failure of our courts,police and judges to enforce the law,as well as their failure to respect the well earned badges and insignia of military personnel.
- —Guest SGM O'Bryan(Ret)
So what about obsolete uniforms?
- So if you interpet the regs literally, you couldn't wear the uniform of a civil war soldier, WW1 or 2 soldier, even though what they wore then isn't even close to what they wear now? I picked up a vintage WW2 officer's class A tunic. Unless you are 85+ most people who were them aren't going to be mistaken for modern Army.
- —Mcpapa1
Military Uniform Wear on Holloween
- My answer to this is: it can be worn with all insig. taken off. Otherwise No. USMC Brat
- —Guest Florence J. Winters
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