Among SMs, how many of you wear a service cap?

Dad2-4 · September 27, 2012, 07:11:44 AM

Just curious as to how many SMs wear the service cap (bus driver, wheel cap, etc.). When I was enlisted in the USAF everyone was issued one but didn't wear it outside of PME due to wearing a blue beret. In CAP I seldom see them being worn by SMs. Now that I'm a Major I was thinking of getting one to have for full blues occasions.
Love 'em or hate 'em, what's your take on them?

SarDragon · September 27, 2012, 07:45:35 AM

I'm no longer allowed to wear one, but when I was, I had one for a little while. I fairly quickly decided that wearing it was a PITA, and went to the flight cap almost exclusively. I wore one in the Navy for a while, and retained that opinion, but there were no other choices, until it was discontinued for E-6 and below.

If I were to shave my beard, and become eligible, I would likely not get another one.

Private Investigator · September 27, 2012, 08:20:01 AM

I wore one because I liked it (from my prior service days) and I got a good deal on a used one. After I made Major and later Lt Col I did not want to spend money on a new one with scrambled eggs on it.

spacecommand · September 27, 2012, 08:30:48 AM

I wear one with my service dress.

They are pricey new!

Unrelated:
(Picture of the National Commander and Vice Commander with Cadets at Wreaths Across America 2011)

PA Guy · September 27, 2012, 09:02:28 AM

Wore one as a cadet for short while and never as a senior. They are a PITA.

Walkman · September 27, 2012, 12:15:24 PM

I've never had one. What makes them such a pain? Is it that you can't tuck it under you belt like the flight cap? Hard to keep clean?

jeders · September 27, 2012, 01:51:46 PM

As a cadet officer and a company grade SM I wore the service cap anytime I wore the service dress (imagine that). Now that I'm a Major, I don't want to drop the coin on a new field grade cap, so I wear the flight cap exclusively. As for being a pain, I never thought they were. Just remember though, a service cap left unattended is fair game for any mischief which may befall it.

Phil Hirons, Jr. · September 27, 2012, 01:52:38 PM

"Don't own one, but might wear it if I had it."

Might if I could wear the blues that is.

Angus · September 27, 2012, 01:53:58 PM

It depends on where I'm going and what's going on. I've acutally been using the same hat sinc 1998 when I was an officer in AFJROTC. Although it's almost time to retire it, just waiting till I get my Major when it has to be replaced any way.

Stonewall · September 27, 2012, 01:55:22 PM

I compare the saucer cap to the mess dress uniform, too costly and not practical.

Cool Mace · September 27, 2012, 02:09:13 PM

I wore mine when I was a cadet officer. I haven't touched it since though. I think they look good, but are PITA to carry around.

Garibaldi · September 27, 2012, 02:17:59 PM

Quote from: phirons on September 27, 2012, 01:52:38 PM
"Don't own one, but might wear it if I had it."

Might if I could wear the blues that is.

I can haz tigerstripe blues and saucer hat plzkthxbai?

abdsp51 · September 27, 2012, 02:44:18 PM

I'm contemplating buying one again to wear both on AD and with CAP. While it can be a pain to carry around, IMO they look much better than the flight cap. I wore a service cap when I was a cadet and sold the one I had because I wasn't able to wear it. Now that its an option I'd shell out the 50 bucks for the cap and device for AD wear.

sab163 · September 27, 2012, 02:44:57 PM

wear it all the time when in blues, it provides some shade, and don't have to worry about the wind blowing it off my head.

coudano · September 27, 2012, 06:56:46 PM

I own one, but only wear it for full service dress, and then only for special occasion,
which is extremely rare for me, as in: once or twice in the past

18 years?

99.9% of the time, i'm in a golf shirt or aviator shirt.

cwade1775 · September 27, 2012, 09:57:12 PM

When I could wear blues, I would wear it with service dress. I wore the flight cap at other times

Al Sayre · September 27, 2012, 11:10:58 PM

I have one. I only wear it with Service Dress, and then only for "special occasions", like meetings with state officials who kind of "expect" it, outdoor ceremonies, funerals etc.

mwhitis · September 27, 2012, 11:12:36 PM

Quote from: phirons on September 27, 2012, 01:52:38 PM
"Don't own one, but might wear it if I had it."

Might if I could wear the blues that is.

+1

SarDragon · September 28, 2012, 04:09:09 AM

Quote from: Walkman on September 27, 2012, 12:15:24 PM
I've never had one. What makes them such a pain? Is it that you can't tuck it under you belt like the flight cap? Hard to keep clean?

Yes. Yes.

Many places you go require that you essentially abandon your expensive hat in a cloak room, or hat table, while you go about your business. This leaves your hat open to theft, mischief, and lack of care by the custodian. I got burned like that twice in the Navy.

MIKE · September 28, 2012, 01:56:37 PM

I have one, and wore it as a cadet officer... When I finally was exposed to the world outside of my home unit and MAWG, I realized I looked like a dork and stopped wearing it.

There have been a few times as an Auxie where I have not attended an event because the UoD was Tropical Blue with combination cap, and I couldn't bring myself to buy the stupid hat.

Among SMs, how many of you wear a service cap?

Among Senior Members, how many of you wear a service cap?