They really handled the situation wrongly in just about every possible way. Poor old fellow. God bless him for his military service and his ongoing work on behalf of his fellow vets.
That said, military regulations state that a veteran or even a fully retired military member may only wear their uniforms during certain prescribed situations and . . . it must be worn in exactly in accordance with regulation — just as if they were still serving themselves. Clean, pressed, perfectly aligned, every ribbon, badge and patch in its proper place. When the uniform isn’t worn correctly, it invites the skepticism of others, especially from currently serving members and also generates OTT responses from self-proclaimed vigilantes like these.
“They really handled the situation wrongly in just about every possible way. Poor old fellow. God bless him for his military service and his ongoing work on behalf of his fellow vets.
That said, military regulations state that a veteran or even a fully retired military member may only wear their uniforms during certain prescribed situations and . . . it must be worn in exactly in accordance with regulation — just as if they were still serving themselves. Clean, pressed, perfectly aligned, every ribbon, badge and patch in its proper place. When the uniform isn’t worn correctly, it invites the skepticism of others, especially from currently serving members and also generates OTT responses from self-proclaimed vigilantes like these.”
So how about if the one giving the oldtimer an inquisition, doesn’t even know the uniforms, ranks, insignia etc?
If I went to the trouble of making the entire uniform perfect, it would show SP5 rank patch, which is several years obsolete. You know, like Tech Sergeants from WWII, etc.
I wouldn’t take very kindly getting interrogated by some stranger, when he is wrong, as it appears these were in this case.
The old vet should have had gone through an inspection drill before leaving home.