Need advice and opinions from those who served

[Bitter Clinger]

I occasionally am asked what branch I served in when I use the military phonetic alphabet. I'm quick to let whoever is asking know that I never served.

Ha ha me too, but I served, then I have to explain what a seabee is. I HATE when people use names (Adam, BBrandon etc...). I always have to stop and think lol.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I have a shirt that I would like to wear more, but have the same concerns as ray.

I have never served, but I have worked closely with a number of military units in my life. I have a really nice shirt (and hat - but I don't like it much, and a nice plaque) that the 21st Special Operations Group (AF) gave me when I did a bunch of geek work for them. I wore it once in the US and numerous people asked if I was military (I said no), and ever since then I have refused to wear it. I don't want people to think I have done something I haven't; especially about serving.

Tell the truth, you didn't serve but the unit gave you the shirt in recognition of work you did for them and you wear it in proud memory of them.

[Aloha_Shooter]

For what it's worth, the phonetic alphabet is not exclusive to the military. The US military uses the same phonetic alphabet as the aviation community (although I admit the military was probably the forerunner). Police use a different phonetic alphabet resulting in One-Adam-Twelve. You can tell the geezers or who learned the phonetic alphabet from WW II movies when they use Easy instead of Echo (although Sgt. Rock of Easy Company rolls off the tongue more smoothly than Sgt. Rock of Echo Company).

[brutal]

For what it's worth, the phonetic alphabet is not exclusive to the military. The US military uses the same phonetic alphabet as the aviation community (although I admit the military was probably the forerunner). Police use a different phonetic alphabet resulting in One-Adam-Twelve. You can tell the geezers or who learned the phonetic alphabet from WW II movies when they use Easy instead of Echo (although Sgt. Rock of Easy Company rolls off the tongue more smoothly than Sgt. Rock of Echo Company).

Yea, I think it's more about unit patches, tabs, awards, etc. where most folks that served get rubbed.

(no, not flipper rubbed)

[Guylee]

All of that seems perfectly fine to me.

[ray1970]

There must be something about my face that seems familiar to people. Can't tell you how many times people I don't know swear they've met me before. I had a guy swear up and down I was in his unit (or platoon or company or whatever) during the Gulf War. Even after I told him he was mistaken I'm not sure he believed me.

[BushMasterBoy]

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/ph...proinuke_2.jpg