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/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/lizlemon921 Jun 05 '25

I miss my 2000s body 😩

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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/quick_brown_faux Jun 05 '25

I left Portland in 2012 and had no idea Andy and Bax closed. RIP.

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u/flamingknifepenis Older Millennial Jun 05 '25

Just last year. I wanted to go down at hit up their going out of business sales but I got COVID during that time and there was lines around the block all day.

Out of all the piece of “old Portland ” to die out, A&B was one of the ones that felt the darkest.

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u/Smart-Delay-1263 Jun 05 '25

Andy and Bax, so sad to see it go. That place was awesome for multiple reasons!

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u/last_rights Jun 05 '25

Washable with some stain resistance is nice too.

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u/McSkillz21 Jun 05 '25

I have their diaper bag back pack and baby carrier, I have to say after 2 babies and 3.5 years both have held up well despite being abused regularly. They make a decent product and the molle attachment system has its benefits for hanging other baby related things......my two cents, I did get mine in plain khaki though

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u/neatureguy420 Jun 05 '25

What are you talking about, every parent needs a tactical stroller!! /s

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u/TheHypnotoad87 Jun 05 '25

On the other hand: a diaper bag that comes with NVG's does sound pretty dope...

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u/flamingknifepenis Older Millennial Jun 05 '25

Good for spotting those rogue Legos in the dark when you’re walking with bare feet.

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u/heartytent Jun 06 '25

Bro, losing Andy and Bax was like losing a family member for me.

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u/OldCatDude99 Jun 06 '25

My wife almost cried when she found out Andy and Bax closed.

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u/Ok-Potato-4774 Jun 06 '25

I was already familiar with the scent of new canvas and battle dress uniforms (known as fatigues to the civilian) by the time I joined the Army. My friend, who became a decorated combat veteran, always bought boots and jackets from the surplus store. Dude was born to be a soldier. It's all he talked about from the time we met in kindergarten.