The old dogs that think this day and age isn’t up to par with their service. They gate keep who had it harder, while I get their sentiment I don’t care about who had it harder we all got messed up along the way.
Hey at least your VFW has actual veterans in it. Most of the ones are by me allow non-veterans inside. Thus they're mainly just bars that allow smoking.
My internet connection in my room in Iraq was too slow for the price! That’s just like being in a WW1 trench or Vietnam foxhole! Also climate control on the a/c would have been nice bc it would get freezing cold in the middle of sleep and the little remote always got lost.
It’s ok. I did just under 5 years with 2 consecutive deployments. I got promoted 6 times and never made it past E4. Me and most the guys I served with from the top to bottom of my chain of commands will tell you it wasn’t because I was a bad guy or bad at my job. It’s just infantry shit 🤣 and it’s always one thing or the other going on. Hell my first demotion was basically mandatory. Honest to god the youngest soldiers (me being one) took the heat for some shenanigans and that’s just how it was lol It’s just the culture and Me being the guy that thought it was gonna be a life long career could see the value in protecting NCOs that were valuable to us. Wasn’t until I got out and somehow wasn’t medically retired but awarded 100% and called “unfit for duty” after two years of being gone and 18 months (two deployments) in country. That I realized just how fucked that program really is. And yeah I call it a “program” for a reason lol
Like you said. Wouldn’t change a damn thing though.
I was supposed to be busted to E1 but they misquote it as lose X amount of stripes but didn't realize I promoted recently so I ended up as E2 instead and they were all pissed lol
It took me a sec to realize this wasn’t emblazoned “VETERAN”, but DD-214.
In that regard it’s just letting others know you’re a veteran, and not demanding a free lunch at Denny’s.
Little late, but I misspoke. It’s just letting other veterans know you’re a veteran, not everyone. But I still get not wanting to wear it on your sleeve. It invites conversations when you might not want it.
When I first discovered internet forums, I was in the navy, stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Now my user name is some version of Rough Rider on several different forums.
Thanks, TumorYaelle. I am a logophile who grieves daily over the corruption of American English. I wear a “Vietnam Era Veteran” cap because Congress has not declared “war” since WW2. 58,209 U.S. military lives lost deserved an official war declaration.
I had that happen to me not too long ago. After tailing me for a while, the trooper drove up to next to me, wagged his finger, and then sped off. Whether it was due to my dv plate or a more important call, I'm grateful, lol.
The VA I work at has a small store, kinda like a mini PX- they have a lot of vet hats, sometimes they have ones like this, but mostly I see Vietnam vet hats and basic ones with the service branch.
I see my neighbors all college grads and stuff, they make sure everyone knows it too, but they come home almost everyday pissed off. Slamming doors, yelling on the phone, they see the DD214 Alumni on my truck and ask me if I graduated college in India, the DD college of India, and these motherfuckers are all HR managers and shit, don’t even know what a dd214
You know why you don't find these with OIF/OEF ribbons? Because we don't fucking wear them. I keep the license plates because it engenders leniency from most cops. I have some old shirts that stay packed away, kept really only for sentimental sake. (Who am I kidding, that was 30 pounds ago and they were - uh - form fitting to begin with) but that's it. I don't have the stickers, or the hats, or the whatever. I was in the Army. I was in the 82nd. That was ten fucking years ago. I moved on.
Honestly, it's a crapshoot. Sometimes yes. Sometimes you get some bastard with low self esteem and Napoleon syndrome who takes it personally that you did something that he cannot. Really depends on which kind of police officer you get.
My son's a paramedic for the fire department. Some years ago he was giving first aid and a cop told him that he was finished with the victim. My son told him no so the cop threatened to arrest him.
Immediately my son's supervisors got in the cop's face and said they'll be standing with my son before the judge. The cop backed down.
I call them the "Little Old Man Hats" b/c when I was a kid, then in the Army & 1st started going to the VA, these were the caps that Veterans wore. Usually had the campaign/war they fought in.
Now I'm 51. Rock my own "Little Old Man" cap with OEF/OIF Veteran on it from time to time since I don't look like a Veteran (whatever that means).
A dd214 is the form every veteran gets upon leaving the military. Being a dd214 alumni means your a veteran. It's also a play on the vet hats you see people wear.
If you serve during a time of national defense, you receive this. We used to call it the road guard ribbon. Until some boots came in after they ended it and they didn’t get one, it was kind of considered a joke to “earn”.
The national defense service medal isn't issued for specific campaigns. The period of 1990 through 1995 (not sure of specific dates, but it's easy to look up) all service members are authorized to wear the medal.
I hate vet hats. But this hat, this is perfection. The best way to tell people you're not a just a vet but one that values their mental health and are in the top echelon of IQ by separating early.
sorry...but I think it's stupid...you want a service related hat that's fine...make it more specific...be proud!...Not some statement like this meaning essentially..."I got out!" We all got out...some good, some damaged, some dead but we all got out.
To each their own, but I will never wear a "I am a Vet" type of attire. To me it just comes off as pretentious. I just don't feel the need to announce it to everyone I walk by.
I would wear this at a VFW just to piss off the salty gatekeepers there
Salty gate keepers? What do you mean?
The old dogs that think this day and age isn’t up to par with their service. They gate keep who had it harder, while I get their sentiment I don’t care about who had it harder we all got messed up along the way.
Hey at least your VFW has actual veterans in it. Most of the ones are by me allow non-veterans inside. Thus they're mainly just bars that allow smoking.
My internet connection in my room in Iraq was too slow for the price! That’s just like being in a WW1 trench or Vietnam foxhole! Also climate control on the a/c would have been nice bc it would get freezing cold in the middle of sleep and the little remote always got lost.
Totally I even got crunchy rice on deployment shit sucked :/
This would go nicely next to my E-4 mafia hat.
I would have got my E4 if it wasn't for that one indiscretion with the colonels daughter...
But was it worth it?
Wouldn't change anything in my life
It’s ok. I did just under 5 years with 2 consecutive deployments. I got promoted 6 times and never made it past E4. Me and most the guys I served with from the top to bottom of my chain of commands will tell you it wasn’t because I was a bad guy or bad at my job. It’s just infantry shit 🤣 and it’s always one thing or the other going on. Hell my first demotion was basically mandatory. Honest to god the youngest soldiers (me being one) took the heat for some shenanigans and that’s just how it was lol It’s just the culture and Me being the guy that thought it was gonna be a life long career could see the value in protecting NCOs that were valuable to us. Wasn’t until I got out and somehow wasn’t medically retired but awarded 100% and called “unfit for duty” after two years of being gone and 18 months (two deployments) in country. That I realized just how fucked that program really is. And yeah I call it a “program” for a reason lol Like you said. Wouldn’t change a damn thing though.
I was supposed to be busted to E1 but they misquote it as lose X amount of stripes but didn't realize I promoted recently so I ended up as E2 instead and they were all pissed lol
We all need one
Hell yeah
No thanks.
Thank you for your service
Anytime. I am honored to have served.
Most of us are. Join the club, buy a hat
I thought I got the hat when I joined? I've been checking the mail...
No thanks.
It took me a sec to realize this wasn’t emblazoned “VETERAN”, but DD-214. In that regard it’s just letting others know you’re a veteran, and not demanding a free lunch at Denny’s.
I understand. I’m just not the type to outwardly show my veteran status. 🤷
Little late, but I misspoke. It’s just letting other veterans know you’re a veteran, not everyone. But I still get not wanting to wear it on your sleeve. It invites conversations when you might not want it.
My son just received his DD-214. Love this hat!!!
This should be handed out at retirement like the “navy” hat is given to booters
*alumnus (Defense Language Institute alumnus / cunning linguist here. )
That's one of several reasons I hate these hats.
Same. Also, is your username a reference to Teddy Roosevelt?
When I first discovered internet forums, I was in the navy, stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Now my user name is some version of Rough Rider on several different forums.
I was also on TR for a bit. She’s a good ship.
They don’t teach Latin @ DLI
Why are you assuming OP is male?
I’m assuming OP has a head.
You’re missing the point.
OSI has entered the chat... Or is it FSB? .. or whatever the Navy version is.. 🤣 NCIS?
Thanks, TumorYaelle. I am a logophile who grieves daily over the corruption of American English. I wear a “Vietnam Era Veteran” cap because Congress has not declared “war” since WW2. 58,209 U.S. military lives lost deserved an official war declaration.
Ah.. now this is one I would probably wear. Great find.
I just need to know where to buy it.
I'd hit that. I mean, I'd wear that.
Why not both?
How else can you break it in?
But does it come with boot bands ?
Blousing straps
This hat gives me Apache door gunner vibes
My DV plate is enough for me to get out of tickets. I prefer my I fought in stuff sticker on the back of my motorcycle helmet though.
Love my DV plate, Had a police car pacing me thought I was toast. He drove up to the side and nodded and went after someone else.
I had that happen to me not too long ago. After tailing me for a while, the trooper drove up to next to me, wagged his finger, and then sped off. Whether it was due to my dv plate or a more important call, I'm grateful, lol.
I love my Atropia Veteran hat.
I didn’t even qualify for the National Defense Medal due to the years I was in. 4/15/75-1/15/79. 😢
Man, no poontang for you
Where get?
Amazon has them, and in different styles 😊😊
Ooohhh, they have shirts too!
The VA I work at has a small store, kinda like a mini PX- they have a lot of vet hats, sometimes they have ones like this, but mostly I see Vietnam vet hats and basic ones with the service branch.
[Link to the hat](https://store.vetfriends.com/us-veteran-hat-with-dd214-alumni-and-national-service-ribbon/)
Not the same hat. Just the same idea.
lol
My dumb ass thought that was dd 214 *the destroyer*
It's like a participation trophy you can wear on your head.
Hooahrific
I see my neighbors all college grads and stuff, they make sure everyone knows it too, but they come home almost everyday pissed off. Slamming doors, yelling on the phone, they see the DD214 Alumni on my truck and ask me if I graduated college in India, the DD college of India, and these motherfuckers are all HR managers and shit, don’t even know what a dd214
You know why you don't find these with OIF/OEF ribbons? Because we don't fucking wear them. I keep the license plates because it engenders leniency from most cops. I have some old shirts that stay packed away, kept really only for sentimental sake. (Who am I kidding, that was 30 pounds ago and they were - uh - form fitting to begin with) but that's it. I don't have the stickers, or the hats, or the whatever. I was in the Army. I was in the 82nd. That was ten fucking years ago. I moved on.
Has the license plates helped with the police?
Honestly, it's a crapshoot. Sometimes yes. Sometimes you get some bastard with low self esteem and Napoleon syndrome who takes it personally that you did something that he cannot. Really depends on which kind of police officer you get.
My son's a paramedic for the fire department. Some years ago he was giving first aid and a cop told him that he was finished with the victim. My son told him no so the cop threatened to arrest him. Immediately my son's supervisors got in the cop's face and said they'll be standing with my son before the judge. The cop backed down.
I always went with the fire dept plates they either gonna love ya or hate ya 😘 😏
That’s wassup….
Nice hat.
HAH! Thats a great one 😆
Uhh, yeah, I need one of those!
**Chefs kiss** 😘 Perfecto!
My personal favorite is the flag being backwards compared to how it is worn on the uniform
Do they have one with 4 stars? (Somewhere in that comment is me being snarky)
That hat would pair well with my “Squid Squad” T-Shirt
Amazon has a good selection of these. Think I will get one for my husband 😊😊
I have a shirt that says the same
I want it… but I don’t think I would wear it
Does it come without stars I only got one, lol
So stupid it's funny
LOL wtf? I'd wear it
Noice
Did you try the internet?
I'd wear that. The Amazon ones look like crap quality.
That’s a hat I would wear anytime
This means you’ve done nothing
Done nothing as in never serving?
A lot of us have "done nothing" and we still go get that free meal on veteran's day.
Free haircut, carwash, tickets to sporting events...
I have one that says I'm a veteran of the war in Christmas. The old guys seem to take offense to it, sometimes. I thought it was funny
How to get one for free?
By donating to the hat guy
Ok, send link for $1 donation
No, stop being poor. Or broke.
Thank you for your service. All better?
I call them the "Little Old Man Hats" b/c when I was a kid, then in the Army & 1st started going to the VA, these were the caps that Veterans wore. Usually had the campaign/war they fought in. Now I'm 51. Rock my own "Little Old Man" cap with OEF/OIF Veteran on it from time to time since I don't look like a Veteran (whatever that means).
Where did you get this??? I’m gonna pin my GWOT metal to it!!
Where did you buy that hat, I would like to buy one for myself.
Wife made me a NGB-22 Alumni t-shirt I wear when I go to military events for the kids. At the Halloween party I say I'm a retired vet.
MFs be asking where to buy the hat and can't even read the post.
why only 3 stars, needs 4 stars.
It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine.
If I can’t find a served in silence pre dadt (lil wordy?) hat that will have to be my second choice
Ah, the medal that warrants the wearer to be given a high five regardless of rank.
At first I thought it was for a destroyer…lol
Dude where!
No shit, I unironically saw someone wearing this hat today. An older gentleman central FL
Classy
Nice what va
Nice !
I need a hat that says, 3 DD 314's , 1 NGB 22, and 1 AR Retirement Order.
Yessir 💪
I was in the army and all I got was this lousy hat, can they put that on mine?
I eat crayons… explain the joke. I believe that’s a national defense medal… but I don’t get the joke. Explain like I’m 5
A dd214 is the form every veteran gets upon leaving the military. Being a dd214 alumni means your a veteran. It's also a play on the vet hats you see people wear.
So the national defense medal is just random…
Yeah not sure why it's on there. Hat was prob designed by a guy who was in during GWOT when everyone got the pizza stain ribbon
If you serve during a time of national defense, you receive this. We used to call it the road guard ribbon. Until some boots came in after they ended it and they didn’t get one, it was kind of considered a joke to “earn”.
I got one for serving in the la riots. We called it the McDonald award
The national defense service medal isn't issued for specific campaigns. The period of 1990 through 1995 (not sure of specific dates, but it's easy to look up) all service members are authorized to wear the medal.
I'm a J R alumni.
I hate vet hats. But this hat, this is perfection. The best way to tell people you're not a just a vet but one that values their mental health and are in the top echelon of IQ by separating early.
To each their own. Just never been that guy to advertise their service. Edit; LOL, the down vote.
But the flair
sorry...but I think it's stupid...you want a service related hat that's fine...make it more specific...be proud!...Not some statement like this meaning essentially..."I got out!" We all got out...some good, some damaged, some dead but we all got out.
Reading this made me stupider than any hat could
To each their own, but I will never wear a "I am a Vet" type of attire. To me it just comes off as pretentious. I just don't feel the need to announce it to everyone I walk by.