Discontinue Traditional VFW Caps

[Guest]

[ZAP44]

VFW Image and Marketing Changes
28. Discontinue the Traditional VFW Member Caps
The issue:
•   Findings clearly indicate that the existing cap although is viewed as being a signature image item for both the VFW and the American Legion, is a distinguishing "negative image".
•   Many VFW members (in particular, Vietnam veteran members), but especially to younger potential VFW members, the cap is viewed as being a relic of World War 1.
•   For non-member veterans the cap connotes images of "old, over-weight World War II vets" and " ... seems out of touch with today" and " ... makes it hard for me to relate to a VFW guy."
•   Over 90% of younger veterans in focus groups viewed the VFW caps as being a negative and its required wearing for participation in meetings as a "strong barrier to joining."

The solution:
•   The practice of having members wear "VFW caps" at meetings and for events should be ended.
•   The majority of veterans from the Vietnam War, members and potential members; also weighted in on the traditional VFW cap as being ready for retirement. They favored by a margin of 79% to 21% a baseball-style cap or none at all.

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Staff Recommendation: Long Term

Discussion:

Recommend VFW caps at official Functions (e.g. National Conventions stage events and other Department Officer Installations) optional at all other functions.

Review economic impact on Emblem & Supply

Staff study needed

Merge with item 31 (Update the VFW’s Official Manual of Ritual)
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OK this is the last one I'm posting.  There was a total of 46 items, of which 22 National classified as "on going", 2 short term 0 - 1 year, l intermediate term 1 - 3 years, 6 Long term 3 - 5 years and 15 as do not implement.  The document "Improving VFW's Brand, Recruitment & Organizational Effectiveness" along with staff review which is National recommendations should be available from your Districts or Departments if your interested.  Additionally it may appear on the VFW website and as an article in the VFW Mag in the future.

[IJK3770]

    A by-law change to that effect was presented at National Convention a couple of years ago and was defeated.  Actually the by-law change was to allow berets in meetings but those in attendance at Convention defeated the proposal.  Give some thought as to the age of those able to attend the National Convention.  They are almost certainly retired with enough money and free time to attend.  And likely most are stuck in their ways.  I know that a  ball cap would be welcome to most but i feel that a ball cap just would not cut it to me.  But I am open to other forms of headgear or suggestions.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Cheerily
IJK

[fabulous fifth]

I can't imagine anyone judging whether or not to join an organization because of the headgear they wear!  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  The overseas cap that is the official cap of the VFW denotes foreign service because of  its conpact shape and size.  Since this is an opinion forum, I don't look particularly good in a beret, so I vote no to that idea.  Somehow I don't think baseball caps look very good if you are wearing a suit, do you?

[airborne]

Although some members do wear the baseball caps to the meetings, baseball type caps are for work details.Personally, I believe the head cover should be of the "dress uniform type" and reflect tastes of the more recent military . Unfortunately , inertia invariably prevails.

[fabulous fifth]

Please describe "dress uniform type."  Does that mean beret?

[IJK3770]

Suits and baseball caps definitely would look ridiculous. 
Cheerily
IJK

[airborne]

Since I look ridiculous in the present cover and the beret, personal appearance is not an issue for me. However, there is something to be said for conformity in the ranks based upon the uniform to which the present public is accustomed.  But how do we account for the sailors?

[DoggyDaddy]

Although some members do wear the baseball caps to the meetings, baseball type caps are for work details. Personally, I believe the head cover should be of the "dress uniform type" and reflect tastes of the more recent military . Unfortunately , inertia invariably prevails.

The wearing of ball caps, berets and DI Hats are not authorized at VFW meetings.  The wearing of the authorized VFW [Garrison-flat style] cap is optional wear and not mandatory at meetings. Exception would be headgear of participating VFW color/honor guard.

[Loadtoad]

I'm 36 and have been a member for almost ten years.  Never did I even consider headgear or uniform when deciding to join.  Once a member, I still do not concern myself with either.  I come from a large family of VFW members so I have grown acustom to seeing the traditional cover.  I could see that someone who has never been exposed to the VFW in the past could find our ways a bit strange.  I am happy and proud to wear the current cover and I can think of no options other than a beret, that would be allowable to me.  Ballcaps are not an option.  As stated in previous comments, most any other headgear would probably look terrible in a suit.  I would hope that we do not turn away from our past and try to REPLACE our current headgear.  I feel it more appropriate that there be an OPTIONAL form of headgear.  I also feel that there does not need to be more than one option.  Conformity shows strength.  Could you imagine a VFW gathering where everone dressed as they wished.  We need to be able to distinguish ourselves from others.  Our headgear is what makes us stand out in a crowd.  When our people go to Wahington or the State Governments, they are surrounded by people in suits.  Unless we can find another way to make it known at a glance that we are representatives of the VFW,  we should not end the practice. 

[Redmaxx 7546]

Headgear was never an issue when I first joined in 1992. If you don't want to but the cap and wear it to meeting then don't.

[sigmadirk69]

Im a new member and i never really thought about the cap when i joined.  I will say this though, the beret is horrible and should not only stay out of the VFW, but should get the boot from active service as well. Its rediculous to have a hat that take more than a few seconds to get straight and presentable. 

[dmh1566]

I agree sigmadirk69, the beret are alright for a class-A cover but they suck for everyday use! Only a general that sits in an air conditioned office all day would think the beret is a good idea.

I say we make him wear one while WORKING in the hot sun all day. Or better yet, let him wear one around a motor pool for a couple of hours on a cold Fort Drum day...see how his ears feel (the winter patrol cap has ear flaps that are worth their weight in gold when its windy and  -30 outside).

Not to mention the amount of time it takes to make a beret "look right." By the time you get it to "look good" it is time to DX it. I'm glad our CO authorized patrol caps at my unit.



Oh yeah...and welcome to the VFW sigmadirk69! 

[sigmadirk69]

u sound like you are or have been at Drum. I currently am stationed at drum myself. 2-15 FA

[dmh1566]

I was at Drum from OCT01 - AUG04 and  I was assigned to the 110th MI BN. My unit was the one involved in that big training accident that happened in March of 2002 (my platoon was hit by two 105mm HE rounds at OP5A).

I hear the area has changed a lot since I left, I know 110 MI BN is now broken into BCTs. Well...enjoy the 3 weeks of summer before the snow starts flying again. 

[Post9271_JVC]

I'm new to this forum and new to the VFW. The type of headgear that I'd be wearing never crossed my mind when I joined. I don't mind wearing the garrison cap, it goes well with whatever I'm wearing. I would like to see some policy or uniformity concerning pin display. I'm waithing to see a flashing pin on a cap. Some caps have so many pins you can hardly tell it's a cap.

I like the garrison cap, my vote is to keep it.