Posted on 03/03/2003 10:07:30 AM PST by pabianice
I was on eBay yesterday looking for a set of used SDBs I can wear to MOAA functions. I was surprised to see that it is a place where anyone can buy a US military uniform. Some of the items are simply old shirts and pants from ex-service members, and I see no problem with that. However, there are some vendors who are selling fully-rigged military uniforms and making them avaialble by mail to anyone, either in the US or overseas, who wants to buy them.
In light of our enhanced security concerns, I wonder if this is a good idea. I am not singling-out any particular seller on eBay, but have posted an example here. Wearing this uniform, anyone could get within one foot of the sentry at any overseas US military installation or naval vessel.
If I want to buy a uniform item as a retired sailor, I can do so through the Navy's online uniform shop at full price. To enter the site requires my SSN, date of birth, and other ID info.
I also realize that there is a huge market in what we call "wannabees;" people with no military background who wish to wear such uniforms in private (it is a felony to do so in public). Should there be some additional limitations on how one may acquire fully-rigged US military uniforms?
"This US Navy tropical uniform is in excellent - new condition. Serviceable.
"Made by Creighton uniform co. 100% polyester.
"The shirt is size 15 M 15 1/2"
"The trousers are Waist 33" Inseam 30 1/2"
"Has NEW USN Aviator Wings Badge.
"Has NEW USN Hard snap-on shoulderboards. With Lieutenant rank and Line rating.
"Has NEW 7 Ribbons:
"Navy Cross Ribbon
"Dist Flying Cross Ribbon
"Navy & Marine Corps Medal Ribbon
"Purple Heart Ribbon
"Combat Action Ribbon
"Kosovo Campaign Ribbon
"Navy Sea Service Ribbon
A GREAT looking uniform and I offer a 100% moneyback guarantee! Buyer pays EXACT shipping.
International bidders welcome but MUST pay by Paypal!
As for the uniform thing, I can get them plenty of other places that don't check for actual military standing. This came in handy for me when I was in the Army and the local uniform supplies became a bit size-restricted. I was able to have my family go to a shop and buy me some new trousers and send them to me faster than they would arrive through more 'official' channels.
I am pretty sure there are still laws out there about uniforms being used by the non-military, but I think their use and possession is only illegal if you try to use them to pass yourself as a member of the military; I think (but am not sure) you could legally buy and wear in public if you did not try to pass yourself as real military.
Which seems kind of silly, in that it seems like the act of wearing a uniform would imply trying to pass yourself off as military. But still, the mere presence of a uniform should NOT give anyone acces to anything secure or restricted; that should require an ID check. People who see a uniform and just assume the person is OK and cleared are wrong, and in the military at least would be subject to charges.
U.S. Code as of: 01/02/01
Section 702. Uniform of armed forces and Public Health Service
Whoever, in any place within the jurisdiction of the United States or in the Canal Zone, without authority, wears the uniform or a distinctive part thereof or anything similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of any of the armed forces of the United States, Public Health Service or any auxiliary of such, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
U.S. Code as of: 01/02/01
Section 704. Military medals or decorations
(a) In General. - Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
(b) Congressional Medal of Honor. -
(1) In general. - If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) is a Congressional Medal of Honor, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(2) Definitions. -
(A) As used in subsection (a) with respect to a Congressional Medal of Honor, ''sells'' includes trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value.
(B) As used in this subsection, ''Congressional Medal of Honor'' means a medal awarded under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10.
I agree with previous poster, a uniform without the proper ID should not allow someone access to where they do not belong, but...
Within that "but" there is room for an awful lot of mischief.
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