Discontinue Traditional VFW Caps

[Guest]

[412MMS]

When I first joined the VFW several years ago I was astonished about the lack of uniformity.  As a new member I suggested that our Post be part of a 4th of July parade, they agreed but when we all showed up we looked like a rag tag bunch of old vets, different hats, bib overalls, flowered shirts, etc.  When I moved up in the ranks I set a standard for our Post that when we are in the public eye we wear a white uniform style shirt with colar brass, VFW emblem on one sleeve and the US Flag on the other, we wear our ribbons on our left breast and the official VFW hat.  Since then I have received numerous excellent comments about our image.  We have had several young Iraqi Freedom vets join us and the first thing out of their mouth was I need one of those hats that my father wore, I want to belong.  The VFW image is very bad and until we can get some uniformity into our dress and appearance both at meetings and in the eyes of the public we will continue to fail.

Our By-Laws state the uniform dress is blue and greys for most meetings at District, Department and National level.  Yet we go to National Convention on the day that the rank and file is supposed to be in Blue and Grey and our CinC and others are in their Armani suits.  Where is the uniformity?  We are not a brotherly fraternal organization, we are representing ourselves as veterans of a military service that we all belonged.

[speisk]

It's ironic that I was just writing about this yesterday.  The cap is the signature item that identifies us as VFW members.  In addition it is part of our heritage and traditions.  I am a 38 year old member of the VFW and one of the first things I wanted to do when I joined was get my cap purchased.  I am proud to wear it.
As a post commander I have set the example for wear of the cap at meetings, ceremonies, parades, and any other event in which the VFW is invited or participating.  I am from a different camp that believes part of our negative image comes from us feeling embarrassed to wear the cap in public.  Be proud of the sacrifice you made and wear the cap!
As for the pins, I encourage pin wear on the cap.  Personally I learn a lot about a member before I even know their name because of his pins.  They are the mark of the individual while maintaining uniformity.
I would be against any such changes in headgear.

[Adj816]

Whereas the current cap may not be chic, it is identifiable as to the nature of our organization.  Movement by National to allow other styles of headgear, would go a long way to showing flexibility and a willingness to change with the times.
That said, if ball caps are allowed, you won't catch me with my visor kicked off to the side!
I am young (45) but only in the context of the VFW. 

[Troy in KC]

Point of clarification: VFW National cannot make any changes to the uniform without a resolution. The VFW National Convention and the VFW National Council of Administration are where issues like this are decided.

That said, to my knowledge, we've never drummed anyone out for not wearing their hat.

[easingwr670]

The VFW cap identifies the wearer as prior military just like the American Legions, Marine Corps League, etc. Colors may very but the style stays.
I have 4 different colors of VFW caps. (Regular style green, Life Member gold, All-State green and white, and my summer tan cap.
Don't forget all the trim colors also.

[ZAP44]

I find it interesting that of the dozen or so items I posted about on these forums from the 46 contained in the National study Improving VFW’s Brand, Recruitment & Organizational Effectiveness, this one about caps generated the most interest and keeps coming back to life 3 months after my first post.  Keep it up…that was the purpose of my posts…to generate discussion on these issues.  BTW Troy may not know but Departments probably have done the COA on the items in the study including this one about hats.  Dept Me did in January 2008. I’ve been told most items from the study will never be implemented.  I'm so sure they will not be changed I just bought a new one

[shark31768]

I know no ones posted here for awhile but i joined so i could get a cap. It shows to the people and veteran groups that we have seen combat first hand. I say keep it. Just my 2 cents from one of the younger guys.

[RCJP2070]

The cap is one of the things I definitely would not change.

It's kinda like putting on your mess dress for a fancy event with the Mrs.

[IJK3770]

It is good to see that some of the younger members prefer the cap we now use.
Cheerily
IJK

[1sg_davo]

I like the C cap. It is military. no one but a military member would wear it. I like the color, I don't like the price, but I paid it. How many of you guys wear your service rank on the cap? I noticed that most at my post wear there service rank on the cap?

[fabulous fifth]

   Dave:  I don't wear my former military rank on my VFW cap for two reasons:  I didn't have enough rank to brag about, and the VFW does not recognize military rank among its members.

[1sg_davo]

Thanks for the reply Fab fifth. Makes sense on what you said. I will sit and watch for now. seems they wear the rank on their hats as some sort of bragging rights with out the overt bragging.

[kacal]

I too believe in keeping the current caps. As a member of the MA and retired AF I wear mine proudly for my grandfathers and brothers who can no longer wear them. As a retiree I do wear a Ret. AF pin and a small tie tac size rank pin so I don't have to listen to "you are not a vet" Our MA also bought some of the embroidered patches which we have sewn onto a dress shirt of a color that we chose for special events and functions. We even wear them to meetings occasionaly in an attempt to get some reg. members out of sweats and T shirts. Works some times. I say take pride in your org. and yourself and make a positive impression on the public and new recruits

[1sg_davo]

Thanks for the info Kacal.

[412MMS]

I have personally had three new members OIF and OEF vets come into the Post and the first thing they ask for is one of the campaign hats, like their fathers wore.  They are proud to wear them, so I don't understand where this type of information is coming from.

I also believe the hats are our only recognition to the general public.  Do you think a Shriner would give up their fez or the Scottish Rite Mason their hat.  Both hats are recognized immediately by the general public in parades, like gee here come the Shriners.......

Will the public know us if we just walked down the street in a parade with no hats on.  I for one was amazed the first time I suggested that our Post participate in a 4th of July parade and our members showed up in every type of outfit from blue jeans to bid overalls, baseball caps, no hats, to campaign hats.  As the new Post Commander I created the white shoulder tabbed shirts to be worn at meetings and anytime we get together in the public.  We wear our VFW and Post number on the lapels, the flag on the right sleeve and the the VFW patch on the left and yes we wear our ribbons over our left breast pocket and the only allowed hat is the campaign hat.  When we participate out in public, they know us to be the VFW in town and it shows up a lot better in the newspaper.