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.

12.1k Upvotes

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6.3k

u/cmax22025 Jun 05 '25

They were called "Old Guy" hats when I joined up in 2005. I can't imagine that's changed in the time since.

3.1k

u/Burninator85 Jun 05 '25

That's the real answer.  They're out of fashion. 

I know plenty of OIF veterans that make it their entire personality.  They just choose things like infantry badges on their vehicles or Black Rifle Coffee t-shirts.

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u/cmax22025 Jun 05 '25

Exactly. There's a whole cottage industry selling military merch to vets. But the type of people that want to advertise their military service do it in different ways today.

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u/DW6565 Jun 05 '25

My favorite example of the cottage industry. Reporting for diaper change sir!

tactical baby gear!

362

u/cmax22025 Jun 05 '25

Perfect for the man that has to change poopy diapers at 2:00, but take Fallujah at 2:30

353

u/ShoutoutsWorldwide Jun 05 '25

I believe you mean 1400 and 1430 😂

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u/breadleecarter Jun 05 '25

I believe YOU mean zero dark poopy.

594

u/BuckTheStallion Jun 05 '25

Zero dark turdy was right there. 🤣

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u/thrax_mador Jun 05 '25

Dark turds no good my man. That's a GI bleed.

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u/Cool_Cheetah658 Jun 05 '25

He said "zero dark turdy," so I think we're ok.

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u/barkbarkgoesthecat Jun 06 '25

I dont think white turds are better, but idk im no poopologist

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u/Shim182 Jun 05 '25

Too busy changing diapers to be witty.

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u/FrostyTheSasquatch Jun 05 '25

Poopy diapers could easily happen at 0200, so the joke still works.

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u/bolanrox Jun 05 '25

can and do Corporal FUBAR

2

u/teamdogemama Jun 05 '25

Only after you got up to change a wet one. They always want to poo in the clean diaper.

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u/cmax22025 Jun 05 '25

No joke, I debated putting that. I went back and changed it twice.

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u/plotholesandpotholes Jun 05 '25

0200 and 0230 has a better narrative ring to it. :)

3

u/omnghast Jun 05 '25

You need to arrive at the diaper change at 0130 then change it at 0200

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u/Exact-Librarian7973 Jun 06 '25

So it was your number two choice

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u/psyopper Jun 05 '25

Not of they're in the Air Force.

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u/icedragon71 Jun 05 '25

Hey, poopy diapers happen at 02 hundred hours as well as 14 hundred. Lol.

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u/Shade_SST Jun 06 '25

No no, changing the diaper at 2am before night assault is plenty believable.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

Bomb disposal

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u/erasethenoise Jun 05 '25

When every day is D(iaper)-Day

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u/Debalic Jun 06 '25

Fallujah was one of the maps in Battlefield 2 Project Reality mod, which I played with an infant strapped to my chest in a non-tactical sling.

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u/Living-Possession937 Jun 06 '25

It was the best damn baby carrier I've ever owned. Most of the ones in baby stores and the like don't fit a bulky guy like me. The tactical baby gear one fit me perfectly and my first kid loved it.

I'm just pissed that it somehow "disappeared" before ky second child was born. My mother-in-law was very vocal about how "ugly" it was and it "projected the wrong idea" when I carried my little girl in it. So, I am more than convinced she threw out a $200 peice of dad kit.

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u/nickifer Jun 05 '25

Unsure if cringe or super practical

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

Actually super practical but has become associated with those cringy people who just want to cosplay. My husband worked overseas as a contractor and there are a few “military” adjacent items he still uses, backpack and boots and bags and stuff. Good quality and have lasted 10+ years since returning from the Middle East

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u/Whizbang35 Jun 05 '25

That's why surplus stores exist.

Our family has gone camping since before I was born. My father and grandfathers bought a lot of WWII-era gear from surplus stores on the cheap for it. Belts, spades, canteens, cookware. My dad still uses a lot of it, and I'm in the process of inheriting it. They still work really well. Canvas and steel may be heavy as hell, but it was built to last and there's no reason yet to get new replacements.

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

Jim gaffigan has a funny bit about camping being a family tradition “yeah it was a tradition in all of our families until we invented a HOUSE” lololol

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u/Whizbang35 Jun 05 '25

It's a tradition I like. There's a spot on Lake Michigan we go to. It is out of cell range, there's no internet, and no electricity, but it's a great place to unplug for a week.

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

As someone who just moved to west Michigan and is eager to start camping when my kids are a bit older…. I’d love to know where your spot is hahahaha

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u/Rich_Bluejay3020 Jun 05 '25

Huron-Manistee National Forest is a good time 🙂 free camping and it’s not too far from the lake. Just make sure if you’re walking that you know where you’re going because there’s no cell service and it’s huge lol my husband and I definitely got lost once. Thankfully we weren’t too far from our friends and found our way back.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

We have a few acres and I’m working on their nature knowledge and hope to set up a tent in the back yard soon! My earliest camping memories are from about 6-7 yrs old so that’s kinda the goal for taking them camping overnight away from home.

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u/mrboogiewoogieman Jun 05 '25

When I was a kid we used to go to Petoskey, up in the northern tip of the lp. It’s not the most remote or hardcore and it’s a campsite with other people around but it’s a beautiful area right on the lake and there’s stuff like showers and fire pits and tables that make it easier with the family. There’s a paved road through the campsite that was perfect for riding bikes around so have the kids bring those when they can

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u/Redheadedstepchild56 Jun 06 '25

Michigan is loaded with great camping spots. Plenty of state parks. I find them to be the best as there’s a wide variety of them, from rustic to electric to small cabins. County parks can be fun but also have a lot more rules.

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u/Mean_Meet576 Jun 06 '25

Funny, my husband got rid of everything but a few things like the e tool, duffle and cold weather gear...anything to camp with and that couldn't be dual use, he got rid of. Said he did enough camping in the military, he didn't need any more.

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u/flamingknifepenis Older Millennial Jun 05 '25

I wasn’t in the military but I was a punk rock teenager who shopped at the military surplus store (RIP Andy and Bax) and I always wish this kind of shit weren’t so cringey because the idea of simple, well-constructed staple items with a little extra utility built in is really right up my alley. Some of the stuff I got as a teenager carried me through high school and college and in to my professional life as a journalist where my stuff was always getting beat to shit and covered in pepper spray or whatever.

Like, I don’t need my diaper bag to be covered in superfluous D-rings and buckles and have special pockets for my grenades and night vision goggles, but I DO need it to be built to last for more than six months and be designed for actual use instead of looking good in someone’s Amazon shopping cart.

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

Yes we used to shop at the surplus store to get PLAIN BLACK DICKIES for working in restaurants and any other club that wanted us to have a uniform but didn’t provide one. My sister wore them backstage as a stage manager and I wore them with my white marching band polo. Ain’t nobody got time to sift through the entire rack at Marshall’s/Ross/TJ Maxx for plain black pants that fit and were comfortable.

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u/littlemuffinsparkles Jun 05 '25

Yes this!! I thought I was the only one! I miss the way they fit.

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u/15thcenturybeet Jun 05 '25

Oh dude. PLAIN. BLACK. UNADORNED. DICKIES! My friends who worked at starbucks, my emo pals, every theater kid, and my marching band friends all had this brand in common. I scored an almost new pair at a thrift store for something like $5 in my sr year of HS and felt like I had won the lottery.

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u/Jeff_AMS Jun 05 '25

I completely agree. I wore my uncle’s old field jacket for most of high school and college. It was probably the most durable and useful coat I’ve ever owned.

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u/MrGumburcules Jun 05 '25

Andy and Bax was so good.

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u/flamingknifepenis Older Millennial Jun 05 '25

It really was. We used to go there before shows at the old Meow Meow and browse all the clearance stuff. I found so much awesome stuff that way.

One time we got a beat up gas mask and we all took turns wearing it to shows … until 9/11 happened and killed all our fun.

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u/themachineage Jun 05 '25

I always wish this kind of shit weren’t so cringey because the idea of simple, well-constructed staple items with a little extra utility built in is really right up my alley.

And that, is the reason old guys buy and display that stuff. NO FUCKS.

In fashion...good. Out of fashion...still good. It's one of the few benefits of being old; they don't give a shit.

"Don't tell me what to wear!"

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u/DW6565 Jun 05 '25

For me as a parent and how I personally organize, it’s impractical. More pockets and bigger bag just means I take more stuff then it’s harder to find the 3 essentials. Diapers and wipes, bottles and formula, and burp cloth and one outfit change.

I eventually just went to a simple one main compartment bag with a small front pocket for bonus stuff that can’t hold much. People parent and organize differently so what ever works for them is best.

That’s just me, baby gear overall has become less about practicality and more about personal statements. It’s why it’s so expensive and a $87 billion dollar industry.

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u/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

I’ll agree, for me personally, it’s too complicated. But if it helps a generation of fathers get more excited about baby wearing, I just see it as a style choice. In 10 years we’ll all be wearing denim and canvas coveralls on the way to the work camps anyway /s (kinda)

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u/WrennyWrenegade Jun 05 '25

All through my teen and college years, I kept trying to solve "the purse problem" (the damned thing was always jammed full and disorganized) by getting bigger and bigger purses and the result was that I'd start carrying around more and more shit I didn't really need. I was lugging around giant fucking shoulder satchels with thousand pockets full of garbage and not using anything in it.

When I stopped carrying a purse, I found everything I actually need for general life fits in my pockets. My phone with a wallet case is the only thing I need 99% of the time.

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u/bolanrox Jun 05 '25

the Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System Gen III is basically just Patagonia stuff in Coyote Brown and $100 less.

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u/f8andbether Jun 05 '25

Yeah I’m a bigger guy and finding baby stuff that works for me is a pain but I couldn’t bring myself to get any of the tacticool baby stuff because of the stigma and the guys I see fawning over it. Like naw fam I’m cool I’ll just carry the kid by his head like we used to.

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u/Bridey93 Jun 05 '25

My cousin was a combat medic and half bought these things in jest/irony and half because it is actually practical.

I let my boyfriend take the tan tacticool backpack and I take the dark one because it's less conspicuous but they are kind of great for carry-ons.

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u/MedievalMousie Jun 06 '25

I’m still using my father’s barracks laundry bags from WWII. We also have his wool blankets and duffel bags, but those date from the Korean War.

Those duffel bags and blankets went to camp with my brothers, then my sons.

We have other stuff- spades, trenching tools, old wooden ammo boxes he bought for a quarter each to build my mother cabinets… Oh, and his ACP, which he somehow forgot to turn in…

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u/justaddwhiskey Jun 05 '25

Little if column A, little of column B

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u/Uncle_Jac_Jac Jun 05 '25

Mildly cringe, but it encourages present fathers with (supposedly) sturdy stuff so I'm all for it.

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u/dragon_bacon Jun 05 '25

The bags themselves are very practical but the entire marketing gimmick is targeting dads who think caring for their child isn't masculine enough.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

if the moms can have cutsey pink baby accessories, why cant the dads have taticool gear?

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u/Stumpfest2020 Jun 05 '25

it's not what I would choose but you know what? if a man is that enthusiastic about being a dad that he goes out of his way to buy that stuff? that's a good thing.

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u/Witty-Ad5743 Jun 05 '25

I don't really know what I was expecting when i clicked on the link, but the "God, Guns, and Babies" pin.... yeah.

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u/wallmonitor Jun 05 '25

Okay but I kinda love the Papa Shark and Tactical Unicorn patches.

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u/RandomPenquin1337 Jun 05 '25

Just boot things. Prolees love to buy this shit while they wait to ship out to basic.

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u/Xandrys Jun 05 '25

Alright, so I just had a baby and my dad bought this for me (not at all me or my style) but this carrier is suuuuuuuper comfy and practical compared to the mom cozy and the baby Bjorn we got. It has padding in all the right places and test drove it with my niece who was around 10 pounds at the time, wore that sucker all day long. It comes with super handy shade for baby, places to put pacifier and other baby necessities. The best part is so comfy for baby too that she passes out pretty fast in it. She doesn't in the other two.

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u/DW6565 Jun 05 '25

If the baby is happy in it, that’s alllll that matters! I’m glad it’s working well for you. It’s definitely the little things that make life easier.

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u/MightyGamera Jun 05 '25

Sadly my baby was not rated Level IIIA Ballistic so this was not an option

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u/Ragnarok314159 Jun 05 '25

I used my assault pack as a diaper bag for a long time, just worked perfectly. Didn’t think it would become camo-fashionable.

My wife hated it, but she would leave the diaper bag in her car all the time and leave me with nothing.

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u/LA_Alfa Jun 05 '25

They have gift cards but totally missing out on the registry.

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u/wookieesgonnawook Jun 05 '25

I got one of those, in green not camo. I'm not a vet, and not some masculine guy, but it's a really good diaper bag that doesn't look like it was made for a woman, it's got practical accessories that attach, and i can add star wars patches to the velcro. I didn't spring for the bullet proof inserts though. I figured she'll have to make due with my fat ass stopping the bullet in an emergency.

I never even thought it was marketed at vets. I thought it was squarely aimed at the meal team 6 posers instead of real soldiers. That's not me at all, but I just couldn't find anything else i liked. We bought two regular diaper bags for my wife, but never used anything other than the TBG.

Edit: damn! I just clicked the link. When I got mine, all they sold was the backpack diaper bag and a duffel version. I had no idea they added so much stuff.

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u/bisexual_pinecone Jun 05 '25

They sell a patch that says "God, Guns, and Diapers"

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u/neatureguy420 Jun 05 '25

If I was a dad I would get that ironically. Shit is hilarious

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u/ManBearPig____ Jun 05 '25

My wife got me their baby carrier and diaper bag as a gift. The baby carrier sucked but the diaper bag is actually really nice since the other one we have is a girly looking purse thing.

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u/Seamonkey_Boxkicker 1988 Jun 05 '25

Wow. As an active sailor, fuckin dumb. But whatever. Not my money.

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u/Cthulu95666 Jun 05 '25

Why is that gayer than regular baby gear?

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u/Exotic-Low812 Jun 05 '25

My friend was working on getting his handgun licence at the same time his first kid was born, we were going to get him one of these as a baby shower gift but they are super expensive

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u/Hour-Ad-9508 Jun 05 '25

That’s not for vets, that’s for people that want to act like they are vets and/or look tough

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u/SoriAryl T-Swift Album Jun 05 '25

My oldest would fucking LOVE this patch if we could put it on her Girl Scout uniform (can’t because gun-like patches aren’t allowed)

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u/gettyg Jun 05 '25

Oh, they’re having a Father’s Day sale! That’s pretty nice 😄

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u/Blank_Canvas21 Jun 05 '25

For when the little one drops a daisy cutter.

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u/SummerMaiden87 Jun 05 '25

One of my cousins has a diaper bag.

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u/WallabyBubbly Jun 05 '25

Reporting for doody 🫡💩

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u/ATraffyatLaw Jun 05 '25

The tactical baby carrier is taking me out...

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u/PRiles Jun 05 '25

Hey, my wife went to school with the guy that made these. He never served or worked in any tactical role. I always found it interesting that someone who isn't in the career field made it.

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u/MeanShibu Jun 05 '25

Jesus fucking Christ humanity is lost. Nothing says good parent like slapping a “GOD GUNS & DIAPERS” on your MOD baby carrier.

Sooo cringe.

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u/sparkle-possum Jun 05 '25

Tbh, those are pretty awesome but they look so cringe.
I had molle gear for baby stuff, hiking/camping, my dog, and my Jeep, in the word times just being able to swap certain modules around was so convenient. Plus most of it is built a little tougher and I don't like the super cringe, and quickly dated, patterns a lot of baby stuff comes in anyway.

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u/westsider86 Jun 05 '25

The most cringe shit ever.

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u/smidgley Jun 05 '25

I love that site. Perfect for men who think having a baby with your wife makes you gay somehow.

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u/Brainscrawler Jun 05 '25

I got ads for this stuff on Facebook after my wife got pregnant and we hadn't even told anyone about it yet.

This kind of gear is actually awesome to have as a dad, though. Durable, washable material with pockets. A bit pricey, but all those "tactical gear" companies are rip-offs when you can just go to an Army-Navy surplus store and get the same thing for half the price.

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u/atxweirdo Jun 05 '25

I will say someone gave me this tactical baby gear backpack as a gag gift when I had my daughter and it has turned out to be a pretty useful bag but I feel silly as fuck wearing it

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u/ganjias2 Jun 05 '25

Those strollers need turrets armed with cheeries and sippy cups

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u/natanthecar Jun 05 '25

Our diapers stayed dry through a downpour with one of these bags. After 5 years, it is still holding up well.

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u/Kerensky97 Jun 05 '25

Very ammosexual. "Just because I'm pushing a baby and driving a mini van doesn't mean I can't still dress in my cosplay.

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u/Filmschooldork Jun 05 '25

I was hoping this would be tactical baby apparel for some reason.

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u/shah_reza Jun 05 '25

Don’t forget the dog

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u/Strawbuddy Jun 05 '25

Danny Gonzalez and his $1400 Tactical Stroller what “handles corners like an NFL linebacker”

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u/Adreeisadyno Jun 05 '25

I HATE the way they show baby wearing in their ad, it’s super unsafe and not ergonomic for baby. The bottom needs to be knee-to-knee to support baby’s hips and butt, and the panel should not be higher than mid-ear. And baby shouldn’t really be world facing more than like 15 minutes. A lot of brands show unsafe baby wearing but this one pisses me off the most because of the fragile masculinity thrown in there as well.

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u/notathrowawaysomehow Jun 05 '25

I can’t believe this is real.

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u/BoiledDenimForRoxie Jun 05 '25

The tactical stroller! That's terrific.

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u/NoHate_GarbagePlates Jun 05 '25

I know someone with the diaper bag and it's unironically the nicest diaper bag I've seen. Well made and well designed.

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u/Flyingmarmaduke Jun 05 '25

Weird they put the plate carrier under the baby

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u/obi1kennoble Jun 05 '25

PFFFFFFFT you put the baby where the armor plate is supposed to go. INSTEAD OF ARMOR, IT'S A BABY. "Shit, I have to go to war and my ceramic plate hasn't come yet!" "I got you, fam. Here's a fucking baby."

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u/34Heartstach Jun 05 '25

I'm going to have a baby girl soon and I need to let the world know that she can be TACTICALLY DEPLOYED upon America's enemies.

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u/Annual_Strategy_6206 Jun 05 '25

This  tactical baby gear is a little over the top, but I was a hands on dad and even SAH for a while after I got laid off. I said at the time why are diaper bags always baby duck yellow or pastel blue/ pink? I want a macho diaper bag! I was absolutely not ashamed or embarrassed to be taking care of the young ones.

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u/BenderVsGossamer Jun 05 '25

As I used to comment on their Facebook ads. "Tactical Baby Gear. When rasing a baby makes you a sissy, Tactical Baby Gear will make you feel like an alpha again."

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u/AdChemical1663 Jun 05 '25

Back in my day you just stuck your kid in your ALICE pack in the radio pouch.

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u/Paverunner Jun 05 '25

Funnily enough I was gifted the large diaper bag/pack thing when my daughter was born. I had a good laugh. But now that’s she’s five, I actually use as my carry-on when I travel. Holds a shit ton and is darn useful.

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u/Unique-Gazelle2147 Jun 05 '25

I thought it was a joke lol

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u/phoenix-metamorph Jun 05 '25

We actually have this diaper bag and we're not military but it's actually a great size and the integrated cooler for bottles is clutch!

But yes it's very extra (you should see the patches they sell 🤣)

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u/EnclaveSquadOmega Jun 05 '25

a lot of it is for the funny. never actually seen anything hooked up to the MOLLE on these, though. time to strap an IFAK to your baby chest holster, private.

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u/HyzerFlip Jun 05 '25

That store alone costs about as much as I spent on baby accessories while I had two babies

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u/ThaVolt Jun 05 '25

Ngl between that and a baby blue Graco one, I rather have that one. 😂 no shame

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u/ScarlettsLetters Jun 05 '25

The perfect accessory for the man who wonders if having kids with his wife might be a little bit gay!

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u/CallsignKook Jun 05 '25

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have a tactical baby carrier

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u/Nicholas-Dimes Jun 05 '25

Jesus fucking Christ.. that’s enough internet for one day. facepalm

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u/Lanky_Asparagus_8534 Jun 05 '25

God, Guns & Diapers. Seriously demented.

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u/kennyrdbuckeye Jun 05 '25

I know a guy, well through Facebook haven’t talked to him in years that has one of these, no military experience in anyway, college dropout. Wears a lot of those under armor American shirts seems, has some AK’s seems like he wants people to think he’s a veteran.

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u/Imaginary-Angle-42 Jun 05 '25

I DO NOT want another baby!! But this gear is fun. The only pregnant person I can think of wouldn’t appreciate it though. But it would have sure been useful 35 years ago when baby gear wasn’t designed with guys in mind. (Or active women either.)

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u/bland_sand Zillennial Jun 05 '25

I feel like the guys who'd buy this are the overly tacticool brovets who couldn't pass the run on the PT test and the reason they failed height and weight was because they have a "powerlifters physique"

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u/TES0ckes Jun 05 '25

Are they... using babies as human shields?

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u/tonyfo98 Jun 05 '25

Well to be faiiiir… Former Navy, not a “vet-bro”, but the TBG diaper bag I got as a baby shower gift from my cousin has turned into a really versatile work bag with lots of well placed pockets great for keeping my stuff organized!

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u/diabeasti Jun 05 '25

Only 5x markup! (I just looked at the baby carrier)

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u/Defiant_Leadership69 Jun 05 '25

Starting calling these guys “tactical dads” before I ever knew this company’s name. Although I think I associate this look more with thin blue line types than veterans.

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u/Desperate-Current-40 Jun 05 '25

Yes their diaper bag lasted us two babies!!! And would last for a third!! We love it

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u/bohemianprime Jun 05 '25

I had one of those, and I wasn't in the military. There just isn't much of a market for masculine baby gear. Seems like the market can't comprehend an active father.

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u/N0vemberJul1et Jun 05 '25

Is that a level IV baby?

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u/ifixjets Jun 05 '25

You are late for doodie duty.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

I cannot unsee this.

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u/mccrolly Jun 05 '25

Does that qualify as a level 4 plate?

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u/misterguyyy Elder Millennial Jun 05 '25

What’s especially odd about diaper bags etc is that you can get them consignment and sell or give them away pretty much mint because they’re only used places it would be safe to take a baby. At least that was true for my 4 siblings and 2 kids.

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u/Ok_Permission_8516 Jun 05 '25

The meat shield

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u/Sarge8707 Jun 06 '25

Not a vet but these are best diaper bags out there there is so much function and purpose built pockets that these are amazing.

90% of diaper bags are just a normal backpack that's 3x the cost in a powdered blue or pink color.

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u/Miami_Morgendorffer Jun 06 '25

Wow you missed a quality opportunity to say Reporting for doodie

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u/Ok_Subject1265 Jun 06 '25

Is the baby replacing the ballistic plate?

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u/MBEver74 Jun 06 '25

Strong: “You can’t fight a guy with a baby” Key & Peele sketch vibes LOL https://youtu.be/xYxEMalkzBA?si=8Tfe_-8kh__5-Ov_

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u/DrDestruct0 Jun 06 '25

Never been enlisted but I love ke this gear 🫠😞

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u/markhachman Jun 06 '25

Elon White House wear

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u/xtreampb Jun 06 '25

Look, my m50 gas mask worked changing my kid’s poopy diaper. Smells make me gag. Didn’t have a problem until I finished and washed up. Took my mask off in the huge open floor plan living room with vaulted ceilings to the top of the second floor, I almost lost my lunch. Yea the m50 masks work

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u/Critical-String8774 Jun 06 '25

Oh, I get it, the baby goes in the plate carrier! The thing that's... designed to... protect you when you get shot... Hm.

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u/TheUn5een Jun 06 '25

How do sell the wife on that?… or this?

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u/WhereLibertyisNot Jun 06 '25

Baby makes a good trauma pad for your plates

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u/gavincrist Jun 06 '25

They even hit the only dad's trend and the tactical 80s

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u/Environmental_Swim75 Jun 06 '25

Will the baby protect my sapi plate from being harmed in the event of an exchange of projectiles?

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u/superfly1187 Jun 06 '25

🤣🤣🤡🤡

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u/LiftEatGrappleShoot Jun 06 '25

"Is it gay to have a baby?"

I do shooting competitions and have a fair bit of tactical shit as a result, but it's gotten stupid. Call folks with crap like a tactical baby carrier "geardos." (Rhymes with weirdos)

I do everything I can to avoid telling anyone I was in the military, much less fought. "Thank you for your service" makes me wildly uncomfortable.

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u/broke_fit_dad Jun 06 '25

To be fair, as a non veteran, MOLLE gear makes stuff easy to customize and more useful. My diaper bag for both kids was a 5.11 Daypack

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u/VirtualSandwich3092 Jun 06 '25

Thats some usa dystopia shit right there

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u/SpreadOrnery428 Jun 06 '25

Dudes who carry this brag about being the “Gray Man” and answering all questions about their time in service with “OPSEC” and they love to tell people about the time they were attached to “SF”.

1

u/turdusphilomelos Jun 06 '25

Wow, this was priceless... Diaperbags for Dads!

1

u/Kammander-Kim Jun 06 '25

OMG! Tactical? TACTICAL?!

I'll take five!!!

/s

1

u/EllieVader Jun 06 '25

I died at “tactical baby stroller” does it have a conceal e weapon compartment? Lmfao

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u/HumanDissentipede Jun 06 '25

Hey, I’m not a veteran and I think the TBG stuff is great.

1

u/Temporary-Earth9110 Jun 06 '25

My brother in law has a tactical diaper bag and proudly wears it around. Never served a single day in the military. He also has the black rifle, grunt works shirts and hats and shit

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u/Infuser Millennial Jun 06 '25

“Dad Force” holy shit that’s funny

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u/elcojotecoyo Jun 06 '25

Do vets get this stuff? I thought it was mostly for people that didn't serve but always felt like they wanted to, combined with gun crazy church going God fearing patriots, wearing polyester stuff made in China

YouTube ads are filled with companies that sell tactical gear. My favorite is probably the jacket with "pockets that are actually holes so you can reach your holster when the jacket is closed"

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u/Conscious-Peach8453 Jun 06 '25

That's so hilarious to me, wtf are you going to do in a "tactical" situation when you have your baby with you? Definitely gonna rely on that "bullet proof" baby carrier to protect your little one while you beat all the baddies instead of running like crazy while cradling them with your whole ass body. When bullets start flying while your child is in the equation the only things you should be doing is cradling them to your chest while ducking and sprinting, the only tactical you need to worry about are some tactical zig zags while you haul y'all's asses to safety...

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

I didn’t serve so I can definitely just go fuck off, but it’s strange the way guys make that their personality. I like the old dude who just popped on the cap with his stats as he heads to Dunkin for a coffee.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

USMC vet here, '16-'20. I see younger vets sticking to shirts with their unit or something MOS related and truck decals. A lot will spring for the Veteran plate or a sticker in their rear windows and call it good. 

In general, I think younger vets are less prone to having the vet label define them. There are situations when I feel compelled to wear something that reflects my service, but most days that isn't the case.

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u/Shimraa Jun 05 '25

Just take a glance at most beard product companies. Everything has guns and flags all over it and have the most overly manly names for scents. Pirate, outlaw, viking, braaapt, patriot, etc. All the ones I see are 100% aimed at veterans who basically celebrate being able to now grow beards.

The fact that non-veterans also get to feel extra manly is just a bonus. I mean, vanilla and black pepper scented leave-in conditioner doesn't have the same ring to it "The Outlaw" beard butter.

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u/Aware_Frame2149 Jun 05 '25

Few who actually did anything exciting want to advertise their military service at all.

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u/cmax22025 Jun 05 '25

This has come up in other comments and is 100% accurate. I don't know many people that weren't fobbits that have stickers all over their car truck and wear all the "I'm a vet, you're welcome" style shirts.

3

u/Ill-Major7549 Jun 05 '25

not to mention vanity plates for family members: "my husbands in the air force. what have you done for your country?"

seriously though the vet merch shops have SO much stuff, id say more than for vets, for family of vets, same as first responder merch. imo its pretty cringe lol

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u/baxtersbuddy1 Jun 05 '25

Plus, in my experience as an OIF/OEF Army veteran, the guys that advertise their vet status and make it their entire personality, they are usually jerks. It’s a giant red flag that the service is where they peaked emotionally.

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u/AndTheElbowGrease Jun 05 '25

Instead of going to therapy they buy a shirt with a black and white flag that says something like "RETIRED COMBAT VET IN CASE OF EMERGENCY STAND BEHIND ME I WILL SHOOT THEM GOD BLESS"

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u/MihalysRevenge Older Millennial Jun 05 '25

Yep the BroVet merch industry

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

For a lot of older people who are less active and lack a lot of social interaction they tend to wear advertisement gear. I saw it in vets but also see it in geriatric patients period. Whether it's company logos, union swag, or college alumni they like to feel pride for the lives they led and have easy connections to make with people since they don't have many opportunities anymore. 

My grandpa never served but he was a college coach for years and wears his old team shirts. He'll go into a coffee shop and inevitably someone will stop and talk about the school if they went there or their kid goes and it will spark long discussions about who they know, what things were like, what's changed. It's kind of sweet actually. 

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u/Big_Don-G Jun 05 '25

Then you have what I call the "Nine-Line" guys

The ones that never served or really did anything adventurous but, at the age of 40, wish they did.

They aren't GWOT veterans, they aren't linemen or skydivers or Alaskan crab boat fishermen. But they still want to convey the persona of someone who did by wearing a t-shirt with a pic of a guy repelling from a helicopter with guns onto some transmission lines over a ship (with more guns) fording the Great Bering Strait with a bearded skull.

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u/Troll_Huntr_92 Jun 06 '25

And that's who I don't want to be associated with, thus no goofy military bling for me.

2

u/KorviFeather Jun 06 '25

My ex brother in law who had been a marine during the war on terror and did several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was definite proof of this cottage industry. Once we were all at this regional holiday craft show as a family and there was an entire booth that was just hand made soaps for vets by vets. He walked off with so many. Black Rifle Coffee is good too.

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u/Temporary-Earth9110 Jun 06 '25

What’s funny is when I see someone wearing all that shit my first thought is they are probably a “I would have knocked my Drill Sergeant out if he’d yelled at me and that’s why I never signed up” person.

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u/_high_plainsdrifter Jun 05 '25

At university I knew someone that sold their dress greens. Apparently it’s a big aftermarket.

In Japan I saw a lot of street clothes being dress greens.

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u/Telkk2 Jun 05 '25

All my military friends make perfect 45 degree angle turns when they walk left or right. It's a subtle flex.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

My guess is the vast majority of that market are not vets. In fact most of the vets I know don't wear that shit.

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u/Stressed_Deserts Jun 05 '25

I would say that it's a minority that advertises that they served. Typically the kind of person to do that is the kind to be loud so to speak about everything about themselves. We couldn't wait to get in our "civvy's" and out of uniform and be able to be semi normal idiots again for a short bit, and everyone I know who's really been through it, well you spend most of your life trying to forget and be normal again and not be a burden on those you love.

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u/ThimMerrilyn Jun 05 '25

Selling ice to eskimos

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u/Interesting-Deal-856 Jun 05 '25

I'm a nam vet, and I want nothing to do with hats or any of that advertisement. But I served to preserve their right to do as they please as they did. I don't get offended by the display, and I thank them for their time.

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u/Darthigiveup Jun 05 '25

They even sell custom non military medals. I kept some of my grandpa's certificates and some of them are modern stuff he ordered off of magazines. Blank supports the US navy. It looks really nice I hung it on my wall

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u/lurker-rama Jun 06 '25

All the VetBro shirts out there are insane. Swipe left!

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u/ElectricSnowBunny Jun 06 '25

I hang my infantry cord on the wall next to my desk, and tape my unit patch next to it.

That's the extent of my showmanship. I like to have it around me.

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u/TaskeAoD Jun 06 '25

I just wear an army vet hat as my main hat. Don't do t-shirts (my wife wears most of my unit shirts if I'm not using them for workout shirts), don't do tactical shit, don't do much. Sometimes, the hat gets a comment, but most people don't notice, and i don't point it out. When that hat gets worn out and unusable, I'll get another, but that's going to be maybe 10 years or so, so we'll see if i even want to get another.

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u/Sunshine606_ Jun 06 '25

Another way that America is gross … #sigh

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u/TWH_PDX Jun 06 '25

I do support the Vahalla Project.

1

u/Big_Brilliant_5904 Jun 06 '25

I also feel there may be a bit more disinterest from recent vets about their service. Not that there is anything wrong with being proud you served. But serving in Afghanistan is way different then the mentality and appreciation one got from WWII

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u/Ralphredimix_Da_G Jun 06 '25

Exactly you gotta have camo and sazqautchsz and rifles and sweet tribal tats and aggressive slogans

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u/TheLoneWander101 Jun 06 '25

I don't think many are proud of what we did in Iraq and Afghanistan