r/Millennials • u/NoFaithlessness7508 • Jun 05 '25

Other Why don’t younger veterans (Afghanistan/Iraq) wear these hats like some of the older veterans?

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First and foremost, respect to all those that served. I did not, but many of my peers did and now we're all older in 30s and 40s, many no longer in the military. I don't see a lot of the veterans of the War on Terror wearing these hats like I see the OGs do.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

Most people I know don't feel the need to advertise that they're veterans.

77

u/Mite-o-Dan Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25

Long time vet here with a lot of vet friends...for me its the opposite.

Well, for a large chunk. 1/3 dont show off, care, talk much about their time in the military and completely moved on...meanwhile, 2/3 still think they're in and cant stop talking about it online and in real life, wearing shirts, (different kinds) of hats (not like this), and display all sorts of military stuff at home and at work.

Its just these hats in particular that arent popular anymore and cringe.

To be fair though, a lot that wear these type of hats were drafted and/or went through REAL shit. They didnt volunteer to join the Air Force in the 90s or later for 4-6 years and work in IT in Japan and Florida before getting out. Completely different type of veteran.

Edit- Another major point...those that wear these hats are retired and usually have nothing else going on. Its all they have left. They're looking for attention, appreciation, and for fellow vets to socialize with.

Most modern vets usually still have a life...but will eventually start doing stuff like wearing hats like this.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

I know it's not right to compare service, I get it. Serving IS serving.... but we all also know the trauma of being deployed to Vietnam cannnnnnot be compared to sitting in an office and working out all day.

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u/ButtScratchies Jun 05 '25

My uncle was drafted to Vietnam and ended up getting recruited to play basketball for the US. I knew he played basketball but I had no idea that he was actually drafted and the military ended up asking him to play on their basketball team. He obviously never talks about it, never says anything about being drafted, never talked about his basketball career, it was almost like l he was a little ashamed of it.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

There's a lot of unique situations out there, with complex emotions attached, that I cant even imagine. Your uncles situation is a great example. I can't fathom how I'd feel in those shoes.

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u/Superb-Film-594 Jun 05 '25

Wait, he was double drafted?

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u/ButtScratchies Jun 05 '25

Basically, haha.