Wanted to get the forum thoughts on military decals. I am not in the military but really think the old ww2 jeeps, they look very cool and wanted to create something similar on my jeep. Do you think it would be disrespectful to use different decals to create a military type affect on my jeep?

 

Here's my .02 as a veteran. It would depend on what type of decals and stickers you put on it. If you just want to throw some of the stars on it (like the Willy's models) and some flags, etc... I think that would be ok. If you want to go with unit specific type things, i.e. 1st Cav, 25th ID unit patch decals or OIF/OEF stickers, I'd be against that. I think that when you get into specifics, you'll inevitably run into a veteran somewhere that's going to want to talk to you about it, and you run the risk of ending up in a YouTube video for stolen valor. (Those videos crack me up, btw) But like I said, you can give it a military style look to pay homage to the Jeeps of old without being disrespectful to those who do/have served. But that's just my opinion, and we all know what opinions are worth!

 

No, it's your Jeep! I'm in the military and could care less. Just don't go around claiming to have served and no one should care... If they do, they need to lighten their ass up.

 

Thanks for the input, I think it's the opposite I have a lot of respect for those who have served and serve and want to make sure that what I do doesn't dishonor or disrespect them. I know I can't please everyone but I just don't want to step on toes inadvertently.

 

I'm in the navy, and I agree that as long as you don't try to pass yourself off as a veteran, its all good. For me and a jeep I'm working on, a 1967 CJ-6, I was thinking of that, but instead of the serial number or whatever on the hood, using a number meaningful to me, ie a grandparents birthday in number format.

 

Can't name your rig, "frogman" and put Trident decsls on the hood unless you went through hell week. But a generic theme can be cool and patriotic. I've never served but can appreciate those that did. Would never try to pose. (See Brian Williams)

 

You should have picked on Bill O'Reilly. He hates SUVs, to boot ...

Memo to O'Reilly: Spin this, Bill - Column - Car Reviews - Car and Driver

 

.....truth.....

 

As others have said, a generic theme should be fine and not ruffle any feathers. It's funny though, my son is a Marine and it is generally accepted that your vehicle does not advertise the fact that you are a Marine. Maybe a tiny decal on the back window, but that's it. My daughter bought him a USMC tire cover for the back of his TJ. He would remove it just after leaving our house, then only put it on again when coming home on leave. He's certainly not embarrassed by being a Marine, quite the opposite. However, they generally don't advertise it while they are in. Go through the parking lots at Camp LeJeune. You will see some people flaunting their Marine status, but that is the exception, not the rule.

 

When I bought my Anvil, I had plans to make it a tribute to the Navy, or some kind of Navy theme in honor to my father who served. I am still trying to finalize a way to do it up tastefully and was going to put a decal somewhere that states "In honor to those who serve". I already have a decal on my hardtop window stating "Proud son of a US Navy Vietnam Veteran" since he served on a top secret squadron doing a joint series of missions with the Air Force, over there. He was crew on the second P-2 that was lost, but happened to be called to another duty that day, so he was spared! Thank God!
I was going to make it squadron specific, VO-67 (Ghost Squadron) during his Vietnam time, or VAQ-134 (Garudas) for the last squadron he served in, but decided to go with more of a general Navy theme since that would honor more people.
I think you will get many thumbs up if you make it clear you are not trying to "Pose."