Wearing Insignia - Unearned

Kane · October 3rd, 2005, 02:18

I'm wondering what the general airsoft community's opinion is on wearing insignia. Obviously this insignia would not be earned, so it comes down to the "if you didn't earn it, don't wear it" thing, but as far as accurate impressions go, it may be necessary. How do people feel about this?

Personally, it doesn't bother me so long as the wearer is not flaunting the fact that he's British RGJ2, or RM, and so and so on. Having spent a short time personally in the Royal Marines, I still don't even talk about it as anything more than an experience. What's others view on this?

Cheers, Brent

mcguyver · October 3rd, 2005, 02:31

wearing an insignia even if it's just for "effect" or "realism" when you are not entitled either by law or tradition to wear it is just like flashing a "police" badge at someone when you are not a cop. what you think or feel about it is irrelevant. it's how other people feel. many people take pride in their accomplishments and titles, so much so that they will defend their right and honour to the death. wars have been fought forever over such things and it is not to be taken lightly. we take it for granted that we live in a country full of pansy do-gooders and have not had to fight for our honour, land or even survival in centuries. this is unprecedented in our world. many people have little left of their families but past accomplishments and titles and WILL take great offence to someone impersonating an armed service or peace officer. you say you spent some time in the Royal Marines, then you should be very aware of the pride that is instilled in each soldier to be a member of Her Majesty's armed forces. there may be other ex-members who view these boards and may not like it. just for the record i have never served in the armed forces but i do understand pride and honour. these are universal qualities that are becoming a scarce commodity these days. other people may be ok with this and it is their right to think that. but i for one am not.

Kane · October 3rd, 2005, 02:41

That's exactly why I brought this topic to these forums. It's good to hear your input.

MORGUE · October 3rd, 2005, 02:41

"we take it for granted that we live in a country full of pansy do-gooders and have not had to fight for our honour, land or even survival in centuries"

I'm not sure if you meant to exclude our armed forces envolvement in WWI/WWII. I for one would say that those were fights for freedom.....

MORGUE

Blackthorne · October 3rd, 2005, 02:47

AND honor.

I think he means that many Canadians don't recognize the fact that our freedom came as a result of a great loss, and that those losses are fading from the current collective conciousness.

I agree to some extent. But I am involved in a community that is comprised of many people in the Forces or facinated by the Forces, and the pepole that surround me in daily life DO respect and remember.

But I don't think the general population remembers more than once a year, if that.

Wearing the symbols of rank happens often in Airsoft, but to wear a piece of cloth or metal is one thing....misreprisenting yourself is another thing completely.

It is fraud to say you are something you are not. PERIOD.

Fraud of the kind mentioned above is even worse as you are NOT just wearing a simple piece of bronze, but are wearing the blood of every brave soldier to die or be wounded in battle. For your own gain.

That is a thing far worse in my opinion.

The Saint · October 3rd, 2005, 03:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackthorne

It is fraud to say you are something you are not. PERIOD.

Military reinactors, Halloweeners and actors take note. Blackthorne is coming after you.

Kane · October 3rd, 2005, 03:12

Like I mentioned in my original post, if it falls under reinactment, then I would deem it as okay. But the second it deviates from the that, my POV changes to not accepting it!

mcguyver · October 3rd, 2005, 03:16

sorry if i caused some confusion. or armed services did fight and do fight still, but not on our own soil and not to pre-empt a hostile invader. far too many families in far too many places have lost loved ones to war both in armed service and as civilians. many of these have come to canada to take refuge from this and they bring old-world beliefs with them. we have no idea what it means to defend our own homes from imminent destruction so how can we know what it means to really be at war. until the bombing in afganistan took 4 canadian soldiers, we had not had a combat death in our armed services since 1953. to give service and your life speaks volumes to your character, honour and bravery that should never be trifled with, mocked or immitated unless you have boughten that right with your service.

mcguyver · October 3rd, 2005, 03:19

reinactment is as much for education as it is for remeberance. places like bosnia, cyprus, somalia and other places our forces have been would not need reinactments. their memories linger still. our culture is passive and complacent and perhaps we need reinactments to open our eyes to the way the world really is.

PTE. Pyle · October 3rd, 2005, 03:54

well personaly the only insegneia i have not earned that i wear is the jtf2 unit badg that i have. i was a pte when i was in the reserves and also have a pte chevron on my shirt as well. i personaly do not see any problem with people wearing this stuff for airsoft purposes hence millsim. as well as people wearing a millitary uniform as a costume for halloween or somthing. now what i do have a problem with would be somone portraying themselvs as a member of the millitary wearing a unit badge or anyother identification around in public even though they arnt members they are miss representing themselfs. thats my 2 cents

Trader rating · October 3rd, 2005, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTE. Pyle

well personaly the only insegneia i have not earned that i wear is the jtf2 unit badg that i have. i was a pte when i was in the reserves and also have a pte chevron on my shirt as well. i personaly do not see any problem with people wearing this stuff for airsoft purposes hence millsim. as well as people wearing a millitary uniform as a costume for halloween or somthing. now what i do have a problem with would be somone portraying themselvs as a member of the millitary wearing a unit badge or anyother identification around in public even though they arnt members they are miss representing themselfs. thats my 2 cents

Since JTF2 doesn't actually wear any badges that say "JTF2", you have nothing to worry about in that regard.

Wear whatever the fuck you want. As long as you don't try to claim to an OUTSIDER that its anything more than a costume, who cares?

Blackthorne · October 3rd, 2005, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saint

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackthorne

It is fraud to say you are something you are not. PERIOD.

Military reinactors, Halloweeners and actors take note. Blackthorne is coming after you.

BEN AFLECK IS NEXT!

Boombap · October 3rd, 2005, 11:02

I don't see the need to explain yourself for wearing insignia you didn't earn during an airsoft game. If you look at milsim, the game is meant to be taken seriously but it is fundamentally clear that the scenarios, combat, and weapons are not real. Wearing rank or insignia to further the simulation experience doesn't make the player an imposter. I think anybody who sees them as such completely misunderstands the point of milsim.

montalban · October 3rd, 2005, 14:46

Kane, personally I wouldn't see it being an issue. But based on the replies above, it seems some people could take offense. I think it would be better to save yourself alot of trouble and simply avoid using them. On the bright side, custom patches are easy to get made so you could just get a design done for yourself or your team.

Monty.

Trader rating · October 3rd, 2005, 16:09

For reenactors, its alright, aslong as they know what the badges mean, an treat it with respect. But people who do out an buy airborne wings, CIB, ranger tab, etc for LCF, I'm not a big fan of that, especially when people say "oh, I can wear airborne wings since I've done a sky dive civvie side..".
Best thing I've seen though, a guy who got a airborne tattoo, an felt he earned the right to have it because he went sky diving.

Home	Forums	Register	Gallery	FAQ	Calendar
Retailers	Community	News/Info	International Retailers	IRC	Today's Posts

British Columbia	Alberta
BCAC	EAR
Op-For	JOC
Northern Arms Airsoft	Skunkworx Airsoft
Airsoft Kelowna	RAAT
Prince George Airsoft	Manitoba
Saskatchewan	MAA
SK Airsoft	Ontario
PDW	Airsoft Ottawa
South Sask Mercs	Snow Dragons
Quebec	1st Ranger Platoon
PQAC	Wolfpack Tactical
1st Pathfinders Regiment	TTAC3
Quebec Airsoft
MTX Airsoft	Atlantic
FAQc	Atlantic Airsoft

October 3rd, 2005, 02:18	#1
Kane Trader rating Join Date: May 2002 Location: Salmon Arm, BC	Wearing Insignia - Unearned I'm wondering what the general airsoft community's opinion is on wearing insignia. Obviously this insignia would not be earned, so it comes down to the "if you didn't earn it, don't wear it" thing, but as far as accurate impressions go, it may be necessary. How do people feel about this? Personally, it doesn't bother me so long as the wearer is not flaunting the fact that he's British RGJ2, or RM, and so and so on. Having spent a short time personally in the Royal Marines, I still don't even talk about it as anything more than an experience. What's others view on this? Cheers, Brent __________________ “You hear the far-off crack of a rifle, your fate finally registering in your subconscious far too late as the white hot bullet penetrates your skull. Another round slams into the chamber even as your lifeless body falls to the ground…”---Unknown sniper “Invisible souls leave .308 holes.”----USMC Recon Sniper

October 3rd, 2005, 02:41	#3
Kane Trader rating Join Date: May 2002 Location: Salmon Arm, BC	That's exactly why I brought this topic to these forums. It's good to hear your input. __________________ “You hear the far-off crack of a rifle, your fate finally registering in your subconscious far too late as the white hot bullet penetrates your skull. Another round slams into the chamber even as your lifeless body falls to the ground…”---Unknown sniper “Invisible souls leave .308 holes.”----USMC Recon Sniper

October 3rd, 2005, 02:41	#4
MORGUE Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: ONTARIO	"we take it for granted that we live in a country full of pansy do-gooders and have not had to fight for our honour, land or even survival in centuries" I'm not sure if you meant to exclude our armed forces envolvement in WWI/WWII. I for one would say that those were fights for freedom..... MORGUE __________________ "Proudly Conservative"

October 3rd, 2005, 02:31	#2
mcguyver Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Alberta	wearing an insignia even if it's just for "effect" or "realism" when you are not entitled either by law or tradition to wear it is just like flashing a "police" badge at someone when you are not a cop. what you think or feel about it is irrelevant. it's how other people feel. many people take pride in their accomplishments and titles, so much so that they will defend their right and honour to the death. wars have been fought forever over such things and it is not to be taken lightly. we take it for granted that we live in a country full of pansy do-gooders and have not had to fight for our honour, land or even survival in centuries. this is unprecedented in our world. many people have little left of their families but past accomplishments and titles and WILL take great offence to someone impersonating an armed service or peace officer. you say you spent some time in the Royal Marines, then you should be very aware of the pride that is instilled in each soldier to be a member of Her Majesty's armed forces. there may be other ex-members who view these boards and may not like it. just for the record i have never served in the armed forces but i do understand pride and honour. these are universal qualities that are becoming a scarce commodity these days. other people may be ok with this and it is their right to think that. but i for one am not.

October 3rd, 2005, 02:47	#5
Blackthorne A Total Bastard Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Consecon, Ontario	AND honor. I think he means that many Canadians don't recognize the fact that our freedom came as a result of a great loss, and that those losses are fading from the current collective conciousness. I agree to some extent. But I am involved in a community that is comprised of many people in the Forces or facinated by the Forces, and the pepole that surround me in daily life DO respect and remember. But I don't think the general population remembers more than once a year, if that. Wearing the symbols of rank happens often in Airsoft, but to wear a piece of cloth or metal is one thing....misreprisenting yourself is another thing completely. It is fraud to say you are something you are not. PERIOD. Fraud of the kind mentioned above is even worse as you are NOT just wearing a simple piece of bronze, but are wearing the blood of every brave soldier to die or be wounded in battle. For your own gain. That is a thing far worse in my opinion. __________________ VINCITE OMNIMODO

October 3rd, 2005, 03:12	#7
Kane Trader rating Join Date: May 2002 Location: Salmon Arm, BC	Like I mentioned in my original post, if it falls under reinactment, then I would deem it as okay. But the second it deviates from the that, my POV changes to not accepting it! __________________ “You hear the far-off crack of a rifle, your fate finally registering in your subconscious far too late as the white hot bullet penetrates your skull. Another round slams into the chamber even as your lifeless body falls to the ground…”---Unknown sniper “Invisible souls leave .308 holes.”----USMC Recon Sniper

October 3rd, 2005, 03:16	#8
mcguyver Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Alberta	sorry if i caused some confusion. or armed services did fight and do fight still, but not on our own soil and not to pre-empt a hostile invader. far too many families in far too many places have lost loved ones to war both in armed service and as civilians. many of these have come to canada to take refuge from this and they bring old-world beliefs with them. we have no idea what it means to defend our own homes from imminent destruction so how can we know what it means to really be at war. until the bombing in afganistan took 4 canadian soldiers, we had not had a combat death in our armed services since 1953. to give service and your life speaks volumes to your character, honour and bravery that should never be trifled with, mocked or immitated unless you have boughten that right with your service.

October 3rd, 2005, 03:19	#9
mcguyver Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Alberta	reinactment is as much for education as it is for remeberance. places like bosnia, cyprus, somalia and other places our forces have been would not need reinactments. their memories linger still. our culture is passive and complacent and perhaps we need reinactments to open our eyes to the way the world really is.

October 3rd, 2005, 03:54	#10
PTE. Pyle Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: delta B.C.	well personaly the only insegneia i have not earned that i wear is the jtf2 unit badg that i have. i was a pte when i was in the reserves and also have a pte chevron on my shirt as well. i personaly do not see any problem with people wearing this stuff for airsoft purposes hence millsim. as well as people wearing a millitary uniform as a costume for halloween or somthing. now what i do have a problem with would be somone portraying themselvs as a member of the millitary wearing a unit badge or anyother identification around in public even though they arnt members they are miss representing themselfs. thats my 2 cents __________________ To live is to Die

October 3rd, 2005, 11:02	#13
Boombap Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto	I don't see the need to explain yourself for wearing insignia you didn't earn during an airsoft game. If you look at milsim, the game is meant to be taken seriously but it is fundamentally clear that the scenarios, combat, and weapons are not real. Wearing rank or insignia to further the simulation experience doesn't make the player an imposter. I think anybody who sees them as such completely misunderstands the point of milsim.

October 3rd, 2005, 14:46	#14
montalban Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Montreal, QC	Kane, personally I wouldn't see it being an issue. But based on the replies above, it seems some people could take offense. I think it would be better to save yourself alot of trouble and simply avoid using them. On the bright side, custom patches are easy to get made so you could just get a design done for yourself or your team. Monty.

October 3rd, 2005, 16:09	#15
-Skeletor- Guest Trader rating	For reenactors, its alright, aslong as they know what the badges mean, an treat it with respect. But people who do out an buy airborne wings, CIB, ranger tab, etc for LCF, I'm not a big fan of that, especially when people say "oh, I can wear airborne wings since I've done a sky dive civvie side..". Best thing I've seen though, a guy who got a airborne tattoo, an felt he earned the right to have it because he went sky diving.

Wearing Insignia - Unearned

Gear Discussion