Military Uniform Store

Can I wear a Military Jacket?

I aks this question before but I need to be 100% sure, I was in the Mexican Army and Air Force and I have the most respect and admiration for the US Military since my parachute course back in Mexico was from an American airplane (C-131) with American pilots, I recently bought a khaki jacket at a surplus army store and I would love to wear it, but I don't know if it is illegal or if I would offend anybody, And what about military patches? is it illegal? I have the Mexican flag, the US flag, parachute letters and parachute wings, all are patches, I would love to wear the jacket with both flags and the patches,but I don't want to offend anybody, the Mexican Army uniform it is identical as the US Army, and also the dog tags witch I still have, but Just to be clear,I love this Country,I found God,a wife,prosperity and most important, freedom,And won't hesitate to put my military training at the service of this great Nation,I know what it takes to earn a uniform,and the pride to wear it,I know the meaning of honor,respect, loyalty and sacrifice for a good cause,I have seen punk rockers with chopped uniforms,and extremist groups looking like Army soldiers but professing hate,and they argue that they do it because they love this Country,to me,they just insulting the image of the American soldier who punts his life on the line to defend his homeland and his freedom,many dont share my thoughts,they are anti military or anti war,but how else can you defend or protect the sovereignty of you nation?this country is what it is thanks to the armed forces,and its prosperity is envied by other countries,especially in the middle east,they hate our freedom and they want to destroy it,but they cant because they know that our man of honor are willing to die for it, please , I will be grateful if someone with some knowledge about this will give me some advise about the jacket and the patches and were can I put them on the jacket if its allowed. i'll give 5 stars to the best answer. thanks

Public Comments

1. It's OK with me. That should be good enough...
2. My advice to you would be to get a leather jacket and sew the patches on that. In our country you can wear whatever you want as long as you don't hold yourself out to be something you are not, ie going around and telling people you are IN the US Army. Another "no no" would be to dress up in a complete US Military uniform that is correct in terms of where the name and patches are sewn on. This is reserved for current or previous serving members of the US military and not legal. There are plenty of veterans that wear old Army fatigues. Mainly, Vietnam vets and people going around pretending to be vets begging for money (unfortunately), with the exception being at parades, etc (Veteran's Day). In the end given that you have the money to get a leather jacket and have the patches sewn on I would suggest that to be the best course of action. It will look the best (my opinion) plus you can sew on a big patch on the back that says "Army Pride" or something like that. Think the type of stuff that bikers wear. Just my opinion.
3. First, I will think you are a dweeb. Service men who walk around showing off their awards when they could be in civvies are always suspect (unless they are retired, then they are senile). Civilians who walk around in partial military garb irk me because they remind me of the guys that throw on a bunch of medals and pretend to be hero's. It is just annoying but it is also a free country. Just don't start telling stories and wearing purple hearts because you admire women and men who have been awarded purple hearts. You can't really be prosecuted for impersonating a Soldier if you are only wearing a jacket. Punk rockers wear only parts of uniforms that they think look cool. If you jumped from a C-130 congrats. C-17's are ten times better. I hate c-130's. But you can't really tell people you earned your wings unless you have orders for them. (I hate five jump chumps and legs). If you really like wearing uniforms you could join the US military.
4. You are certainly allowed to wear the uniform, as long as it's not identifiable as a particular soldier's uniform. For example, a military wife can not take pictures in her husband's uniform top as a gift while he's deployed. That is unacceptable, and punishable, even if they are in good taste. The garment must be stripped of all recognizable insignia. But even then, a civilian could not get in trouble for it, only the military member.
5. As long as you are not doing anything to fall under the Stolen Valor Act, you can wear whatever you want.
6. It'll be okay. Some states do have laws that state that you can't wear medals you didn't earn though.