Legalizing Uniforms?

[Sahronax]

A week or two ago I managed to dig up a box of my mom's old woodland BDUs. Being the enterprising young lad that I am once every decade or so, I decided to sell them (with permission from the owner, of course) to friends and friends of friends who would otherwise be without camouflage.
However, I understand that it is frowned upon to wear full military uniforms in public unless you are in the service. The only problem is, I would like to tear up these uniforms as little as possible, and them being pre-ACUs, they do not have convenient Velcro spots for patches. That being said, both of my parents have been remarkably unhelpful and contradictory as to what I should remove from the uniforms to make them suitable for non-military use. Would removing the "U.S. Army" tab be sufficient, or what?

[ogrejager]

Got to a fabric store and buy a seam ripper. They're designed to cut seams (and patches) without damaging the fabric more than was done when they were originally sewn on.

They're cheap and won't rip up the fabric. Then remove everything.

[Rico]

Not being in the military myself, this is only an opinion, and what I would do in such a situation.

Airsoft is about simulation and part of simulation is looking the part you are playing authentically. Airsoft again is simulation, those of us who have never been in the military have a responsibility to those who have not to misrepresent them or take undo credit.

So, my opinion would be that unit patches, us army, american flags, would be acceptable to look the part, but anything that was awarded, earned, or shows an accomplishment should be removed.

[SilentStalker]

Remove any Rank, Tabs (like Airborne, Special Forces, Ranger) and that should be good. If you do not want someone wearing your last name then remove that so they can put their own on but as for unit patches on the sleeves and the US Army you can leave those and it will be fine. Some might say to remove the Right Shoulder Sleeve insignia since that is earned for Combat service and others might say it is ok to leave on. I as a current service member couldn't care less but others might take offense to them being on your uniform.

[Sahronax]

I already used a ripper; BDU fabric is exceptionally difficult to cut, and there is a noticeable scar in the one spot I already took the tab off of. I am sure this is inevitable, I am just trying to minimize these affects as much as possible by only taking off what I have to. My mom says just the Army tab should work, my dad says all the name and unit patches should be removed, and neither of them sound very sure of it...

[SilentStalker]

You can leave it all on but would be more appreciated if you remove what I suggested. Again it is up to what your parents want removed since it is there uniforms.

['Skyhawk']

I already used a ripper; BDU fabric is exceptionally difficult to cut, ...

There should be no need to cut the fabric to remove patches.

I would suggest getting a pair of cheap sewing cutters( They can't be more than $1-$2). They are small spring actuated cutters that have a sharp scissor type blade on each side. You can work the tip under each stitch on the patch side and cut it.

If you cut the stiches on the patch, the blade will not touch the fabric so there will be no damage to the fabric. Once you get the patch off, the thread should pull right out of the holes without damaging the fabric.

With a little patience you will remove the patch and just have some tiny holes left over.

[Sahronax]

Apologies, by fabric I meant the thread that holds the patches onto the uniforms itself.
If I cut the rank off and leave everything else it could still be mistaken for an E-1 uniform, am I right? I doubt my parents would care so much in that regard but better safe than sorry...

EDIT: Also, what about MOS badges on the collar; are they something to be concerned with?

[Transition]

Coast guard does not change till E-4 when you get your crows

[Sahronax]

Just to ask, what would your friends use these uniforms for?

Airsoft at the very least. Not everyone who plays with our team owns a team uniforms and any camo is generally better than no camo at all. However, I have no idea where these uniforms will go after I sell them or what else they will be used for, and I'm sure the future owners will not be nearly as concerned about such things as I am, so may as well take care of it now.

[Transition]

Coast guard does not change till E-4 when you get your crows

I thought they were the same insignia, just different colors? He's talking about E-1s having a complete lack of insignia on their uniforms, like ABs have in the Air Force.

I stand corrected, anyways, remove rank and name tapes etc and who cares, there are bums all over wearing someones old bdus

[Switchback]

In the Marine Corps, a lack of insignia is either Private or Recruit. I would just remove everything to be safe, but a nametape (for you) and an American Flag would be fine. No rank, branch, tabs/MOS, Unit patches should be worn as to not offend anybody.

Just my $0.02 and the policy I go by.

[Darius137]

As long as you don't say you're in the military, you're just wearing some surplus clothing.

People should be able to tell if you're really a soldier by little things such as blousing your boots, not being fat, having a decent haircut, etc.

I've traded/sold/given away old uniforms and left all the patches on them. If somebody wants to be SGT McKinlay for a day, then so be it.

[Thompson]

FYI- USCG and USN do not have collar rank on bdu's from E-1 to E-3, UNLESS you are a FMF Corpsman with Marines.

[SilentStalker]

E-1 on the Army also does not wear any insignia. Army does not get rank insignia until E-2