Quote Originally Posted by Master K9 View Post
...in San Diego, or Coronado.....Likely to get yer butt kicked, if you're not a Seal, that is....
I frequently wear a black beret, whether kilted or not, (no pom-pom), and I work quite closely with a lot of US troops of various services, including a lot of spec. ops types. They are not uniform berets, but since black berets are pretty generic, there is not a lot of difference. I have found that I get more respect from a lot of the folks once they know I am not just another d#@m civilian, but a Marine veteran. On one of my berets I have an Eagle, Globe and Anchor (Marine symbol) and on another my Combat Aircrew Wings, earned in Vietnam. I wear the wings if I know I going to be working with the Air Force, since they respect wings. One day I was going to lunch with two soldiers, one a straight leg (a non-jumper, non-spec ops type), and the other a full up Spec Ops guy, Ranger stripe, Green Beret, lots of been there done that ribbons, topped by the Combat Infantry Badge. As we went outside and put on our hats, the leg suggested I was pretty bold to be wearing a beret in that company. Before I could reply, the Green Beanie (term used with great affection) said "You're pretty bold to question a Marine wearing any !$%&* thing he wants to.

I agree it's the remfs (I am NOT going to translate) that will question you, unless you are obviously wearing something you have no right to.

Geoff Withnell