Navy Spirit Gear---do I have a problem?

LT360

LT360

C/O 2025 Dad
Joined
Apr 9, 2021
Messages
943
It is not uncommon for my DW and I to be wearing USNA gear on the same day especially in the new casual work from home environment. In less than 7 months since I-Day, my wardrobe has been transformed to include USNA t-shirts, sweatshirts, vest and hat. My coffee mugs have been replaced with Navy mugs. All the vehicles sport at least one USNA sticker. USNA gear has even replaced my typical goto Fire Department shirts.

I have very little swag from the school my DW and I attended and was place we met. USNA gear is now the norm. The Mid Store has received a sizeable chunk of my money all in the name in supporting the Brigade.

Any other parents see this phenomena? Do I need an intervention?:)
 
LT360 said:
It is not uncommon for my DW and I to be wearing USNA gear on the same day especially in the new casual work from home environment. In less than 7 months since I-Day, my wardrobe has been transformed to include USNA t-shirts, sweatshirts, vest and hat. My coffee mugs have been replaced with Navy mugs. All the vehicles sport at least one USNA sticker. USNA gear has even replaced my typical goto Fire Department shirts.

I have very little swag from the school my DW and I attended and was place we met. USNA gear is now the norm. The Mid Store has received a sizeable chunk of my money all in the name in supporting the Brigade.

Any other parents see this phenomena? Do I need an intervention?:)
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I have the same sort of issue 😜

I bought those 2-inch stenciled letters from Amazon.

I sewed “USNA” on my Nike hat and crocheted snow cap (Blue & Gold…thanks to DW). I mean the letters are so big that a sniper can see it a mile away without a scope (or DW has nothing to do with me when wearing it). One day the DW accidentally washed the snow cap and it shrunk. The letters were rearranged and the yarn unraveled.
Not sure 🤔 if it was accidental.
 
Nope not at all! I always joked that my father bought 1/4 of the Mid Store every time my parents would visit. USNA and the military are both institutions that are held in high esteem across the general public. Plus, it does not take long after entering the gates to see how special of a place the Yard really and what goes on there.
 
At the point where you create a holiday photo card showing you in matching USNA pajamas, I think you might need some gentle counseling. Up to that point, though, have fun stocking your guest bath with Bill the Goat soaps!
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I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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He had the problem, not you. What a weird situation.

My DD is convinced that I don't own any color other than Navy. She acts like it is weird that I have a USNA Mom license plate frame, and Bill the Goat is on my tailgate, or that I completely redid our outdoor picnic table prior to IDay with Navy colors, Bill the Goat, and GO NAVY BEAT ARMY logos sealed on to the top of the table.

I am currently sporting navy-colored tennis shoes, a Navy ball cap and a Navy Athletics shirt the DS gave me, and a USNA charm bracelet a dear friend from this forum gifted me. I wear it when I miss him more than I normally do.

I don't see the problem, but maybe I am looking at the world through Navy-colored lenses. ;) 😂
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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The person was a knucklehead. Your son is there. Go back and rub it in that person's eye by wearing all things USNA or Navy related without explanation. A real person would ask "how is he doing at the Naval Academy?"
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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Now that’s someone who is to be pitied if that’s how he spends his time. It’s not a uniform item, therefore there is no valor to be stolen, unless you are walking around in a blue rim and Navy Reg shorts trying to pass as a midshipman. It’s no different than being a fan of Duke hoops and wearing a Duke sweatshirt to show support for the team, grad status not required.

I say wear your gear, and if confronted (first time I’ve heard of this), thank them warmly for noticing, you take great pleasure in supporting the Brigade of Midshipmen as encouraged by the Superintendent at the Naval Academy, for friends and family to show their support by purchasing spirit gear, with proceeds going to fund Brigade morale activities. Whip out your phone to share the official Mid Store online website info, so they have an opportunity to support midshipmen as well.

But you do have to watch out for those infants in Bill The Goat onesies - they are the true Valor Thieves!
 
Capt MJ said:
Now that’s someone who is to be pitied if that’s how he spends his time. It’s not a uniform item, therefore there is no valor to be stolen, unless you are walking around in a blue rim and Navy Reg shorts trying to pass as a midshipman. It’s no different than being a fan of Duke hoops and wearing a Duke sweatshirt to show support for the team, grad status not required.

I say wear your gear, and if confronted (first time I’ve heard of this), thank them warmly for noticing, you take great pleasure in supporting the Brigade of Midshipmen as encouraged by the Superintendent at the Naval Academy, for friends and family to show their support by purchasing spirit gear, with proceeds going to fund Brigade morale activities. Whip out your phone to share the official Mid Store online website info, so they have an opportunity to support midshipmen as well.

But you do have to watch out for those infants in Bill The Goat onesies - they are the true Valor Thieves!
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Absolutely wear your gear. I often wear a USNA Polo shirt...lots of people strike up great conversations...."Did you got to the Naval Academy? No, actually my son is...Go Navy"
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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Sounds like this guy was a misguided DB, to be very honest. I wouldn't let that get to you one second longer.
 
Stolen valor? For wearing a garment that displays your pride in your kid? A garment that’s sold to the public at the USNA gift shop and Mid Store? Really? So laughable that it’s sad. Perhaps the gift shop should change its name to Stolen Valor Store! Sheesh. 🙄

I overloaded on USNA gear when DD was appointed. Since then, DS has won an AROTC scholarship, so I’ve balanced things out with gear from his school too. Funny thing is, his school is my own alma mater. I never wore too much stuff from there before, but now that he’s there, I’ve loaded up — not out of pride for me, but for him. It’s what parents do, right?
 
Stolen Valor is a bid thing...but this is NOT even close to being stolen valor....I'm thinking this guy is a want-to-be of some sort. Any person who served and is in their right mind, would not have done that.
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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That happened to me once. I told the guy my son is a Mid. He said that doesn't give me the right to wear the shirt. I told him that I wear shirts representing ALL of my kids' colleges. Then I not-so-politely told him what I thought of his opinion before I walked away.
 
ders_dad said:
I was confronted by a man who accused me of a case of stolen valor for wearing a Navy (USNA) sweatshirt to the home big-box store - when I explained to him that I never served in the military and it is my son that is at USNA. He was pretty obnoxious but I felt really bad about the whole thing and I do see his point, even though what he accused me of was farthest from my mind. So, except for when I visit the Yard (or football game), I generally do not wear USNA or Navy gear. It is the mid store's loss. I don't know if anyone else ever has had a similar experience. It just wasn't something I had ever even thought about. I occasionally wear a sweatshirt that says "University of American Samoa - Law School" but I never went there either.
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.
For many “Able-Bodied” folk who would have wanted to join the Military and lead the fight into battle, the Military wouldn’t have them because they’re written-off as “Defective/Disabled”.

How did this guy who confronted you in the big box store know whether you would have liked to serve in the Military, but the Military turned you down? …. Hypothetically, you could have started to “Limp” after he confronted you … and then proceed to kick his a$$ with your bad leg …
…
…
That would have made a good movie comedy scene 😊
.
 
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brewmeist said:
That happened to me once. I told the guy my son is a Mid. He said that doesn't give me the right to wear the shirt. I told him that I wear shirts representing ALL of my kids' colleges. Then I not-so-politely told him what I thought of his opinion before I walked away.
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I have four kids and between them, there are 7 or so colleges for undergrad and grad school and to be honest, I don't have gear from any of them besides my one who went to USNA and none of that is reflective of being a USNA dad. . . just my own status. When I do wear USNA stuff, it is generally just one thing (not counting the ring) like a hat from my athletic team.

Observation: If I see someone wearing more than one piece of. Other alums have made the same observation to me.

It reminds me of the joke about Vegetarians/Crossfitters:
Q. How can you tell that someone is a Crossfitter (or Vegeterian). . .
A. Don't worry, they'll tell you.
 
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