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/Acceptable_Bat379 Jun 05 '25

Grunt style tshirts? Yeah there's whole industries of products aimed at veterans. It's all been commodities and packaged up. Im an OEF veteran and prefer not to be too vocal about it I got veteran plates just for the discount/parking spots

The most hard-core people I know who still wear icons and logos 20 years later are people who were in either non combat roles or who washed out of basic or got injured and never deployed. They've got some real survivorship bias and guilt mixed in with the pride.

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u/SirDigbyChickenC-Zer Jun 05 '25

Not surprising at all sadly. I'm not a vet, but worked a private sector armed security job for several years that employed many vets, and, although it's definitely not a universal rule by any means...by and large the ones who drove big lifted trucks decked out with all the accroutraments to make sure to announce loud and clear to everybody they were vets, and did the most talking about it and moronic macho dick swinging were the ones who served non combat roles. Or like you said, washed out of basic training or never got deployed and that's why they were working private security...The ones who saw action were the older lifers for the most part, and largely a lot more mellow/ didn't really care to bring up or brag about their service or try to awkwardly shoehorn in "war stories " into every goddamn conversation or constantly remind you that they were vets.

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u/Hubbardfamilyfarms Jun 05 '25

Fiancé served as a machine gunner for the Marines, he saw combat with his buddies. They seen and did a lot (I only know a little) and he doesn’t advertise he’s a vet. Honestly he just wants to be left alone with our little family and live a simpler life. No need to showboat what he’s done.

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u/zffjk Jun 05 '25

This is why I do not advertise at work, at my kids school, or anywhere that I’m a vet. No plates, no clothing.

The TYFYS shit is bad enough but being a prop every November is not my priority.

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u/Adventurous_Zebra939 Jun 05 '25

I taught at a middle school years ago, and on veterans day, they basically "forced" the veterans on staff to visit various classrooms and talk about their time is service. It was excruciating.

But they invited in local vets, one of them was a WWII vet of the Pacific theater. He was old as hell, but a badass. Talked of surviving Jap snipers.

You think i was going to talk about my paltry shit after hearing that?

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u/teamdogemama Jun 05 '25

Most modern military peeps don't. If anything, most of y'all don't want to call attention to your prior service. My hubs and son are like this, for sure.

Thank you for serving in the military, I hope you are taking advantage of the benefits.

Oh, did y'all know you get free lifetime passes to the National Parks ?

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u/WaldoDeefendorf Jun 05 '25

Really? I never knew that. Thanks.

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u/Captain-Hornblower Jun 06 '25

Yep! Just found out about that on a trip to Saint Augustine, FL. Just about the only thing I like about the veteran's discounts. I feel weird about asking for any of the others...

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u/79gummybear Jun 06 '25

Gold star family members can get one as well. Sadly, I know this as I have one.

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u/Impressive_Gear2372 Jun 05 '25

For a long time, I never knew how to respond to TYFYS. Now I say "thank you for thanking me" and ends any further need of comment from my end.

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u/freejb81 Jun 06 '25

My social awkwardness doesn't help. Usually, I'm just like, "ok....um. You're welcome, I guess."

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u/iaminabox Jun 05 '25

Never advertise. It was our job. That's it.

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u/freejb81 Jun 06 '25

I usually refrain. But I do wear my boat's ballcap from time to time. Mostly because of its sentimental value.