DISQUS

Tim Perkins · 2 years ago

Ms U

That is winter working blue uniform and Rating symbol is of a GS rate but the U.S. Navy does not wear flags on any uniform and that individual should not be wearing that shirt it is disrepectful.

v/r
Tim

Douglas V. Gibbs · 2 years ago

And of course the hat and bandana would not be allowed to be worn with the uniform as well. Only ball caps allowed are those issued by one's duty station with the duty station designation on the cap.

Huston LaClair · 2 years ago

Also when I retired from The Navy back in '97, beards and ear rings were not allowed on males.

ltcpmax · 2 years ago

Ms U:
as you requested, my two cents as one of your loyal military "advisors":
I defer to the USNAVY colleagues/brothers and sisters in arms about the specifics of the ratings insignia.
I agree in broad terms, certainly no actual military member (or ex mil) would or should be wearing such attire and or headgear.
However, in broader terms and perspective, if this young man has taken to wearing what can loosely be described as military like clothing, and has also chosen to wear the flag of the USA, I would tend to think he is doing so in some fashion to show his respect, admiration, and support to our troops as they serve our country. He is wearing "reverse" flags, usually intended to be worn on the Right shoulder. In that location, it would correctly display the flag with the blue field of stars on the "front" or leading edge of movement or "into the wind." He has not defaced the flag, nor the USNavy insignia. The flag tends to 'look funny" to us as we usually see the flag with blue field in upper Left corner. I can offer that it is NOT uncommon for members of fire department, security, and police agencies to wear the US Flag on the chest of their uniforms, and have NEVER found that disturbing or unacceptable.
In a similar vein, I was not terribly upset with the earlier image of the young man wearing a khaki shirt with what appeared to be Command Sergeant Major rank on sleeve. It is apparent from THAT picture that he was way under the age range to have actually earned that rank himself. Again, he was not wearing it in a defaced or inappropriate manner, as long as he himself was not actual military (and from facial hair/haircut, I guess unlikely.) Perhaps, he (or both of these young men) also was wearing that shirt as a symbol of support of our troops, and that shirt might actually have belonged to his dad, uncle, much older brother, etc....(hopefully active,retired, or deployed, and not KIA or MIA!)
My perspective: active duty and then reservist with over 25 yrs of total service in Army and Air Force, recently retired. I seriously prefer to see citizens wearing the US Flag and or military gear in a positive fashion... (yeah the doo rag and hat bothers me some...but he is in a free country, right?) than flying flag upside down, waving "pull out now" signs, or burning/trashing the stars and bars.

ltcpmax · 2 years ago

PARTIAL RETRACTION:

ok..so I had some more time to dig further and look into Mr SHane Sparks, as well as the context of his "work" in the TV show. Taken out of context, I voiced an opinion that his wearing a naval blue work shirt with flags and rating on sleeve was not offensive. Having now stopped bye his website to see his "fashions" and having read more about the dancing he apparently choreographed, I find his BEHAVIOR and the CONTEXT very OFFENSIVE. He is no doubt one of the morons that thinks it possible to "support the troops" while simultaneously loudly condemning their actions?

Sorry for posting before doing all the reading I possibly could! MY error, but in and of itself, the wearing of the US Flag is to me usually a supportive gesture. Mr. Sparks doesn't seem to "get it."

LTCPMAX.