My husband doesn't want me to wear any Marine shirts outside the base because he's afraid of hate crimes being done on me and our family. But in the few years I've experienced military life, I have always been treated with respect when learned that my husband serves in the Marine Corps. Has anyone ever had differently? And I don't mean just immature rude people (they are everywhere) but actual hateful advances because of your family status? 

Has anyone ever had differently? And I don't mean just immature rude people (they are everywhere) but actual hateful advances because of your family status? 

No. Not once in 19 years. And, I don't wear USMC-adorned stuff outside the house. Ever. 

The general public isn't what you have to fear, they are beyond respectful for the most part, it's his fellow Marines. 

I don't wear USMC-adorned stuff outside the house. Ever.

^^^That. 

I've never worn any of that stuff either. I'm a proud 24 yr vet, but i just never felt the need to broadcast it. I don't even have a base decal on my truck.

SD area is pretty pro-military, a lot of former military and retiree's in the area.

Most of the time any problem will be with fellow active military. 

The only reason I have a sticker on my vehicle is deployments (to pick up/drop off him and all his crap)

I could just use his car but it's very small and a stick shift to boot.

We travel a LOT and everyone has just been nothing but caring and respectful everywhere we go once they find out he is military. 

I'm sorry but I definitely chuckled a little when I read your post. Living in a Marine town, it definitely is not necessary to go out branding yourself associated to the Marine Corps, but hey, if you want to wear your USMC t-shirt to the gym, you shouldn't get mugged or "hate crime-d" on your way...unless you live in Berkeley, CA, or something...then your chances could probably be higher 

Lol! Thanks. From this I think he is overreacting a little, but I get ya. I was so proud of him when he got through boot camp that I wanted to tell eeeeevvvvery body! Especially since where we came from were mostly Army and I wanted to show them that my husband could take a lot more. Right now, I just throw a t-shirt on without realizing what it is and all of a sudden he throws his hoodie over me. Oh yeah....whoops. 

Do you have a Marine Wife tattoo too? 

No, I don't like tattoos. 

Never in 8 years. Our siblings and parents have some Marine shirts they wear casually or to work out and since my husband was a recruiter (you have to buy a ridiculous amount of USMC shirts) he and I have a lot we work out in or for comfortable clothes. We are from AZ where there's a lot of love for the USMC but I went to college by San Francisco and wore shirts from time to time and never had a problem there or even in Asian or European countries I've traveled to. If they made shirts for my job you bet my husband would rock them I've earned it :-) luckily since he's not a recruiter anymore he doesn't HAVE to be a walking billboard because it did get a little obnoxious when those seemed like his only wardrobe options... 

luckily since he's not a recruiter anymore he doesn't HAVE to be a walking billboard because it did get a little obnoxious when those seemed like his only wardrobe options...
I bet. Don't blame you there. It has got to be annoying with that MOS. 

It's a b billet. But you don't rate a thing. I LOL every time I see these wives plastered in USMC/Navy clothing. Maybe you should've done the time as well. 

Maybe you should've done the time as well.
Wish I could've. Wasn't an option for me. 

Never heard of anyone doing something to families. As for the wearing USMC stuff, I think my husband has bought all of the usmc wife stuff. I usually only wear his sweatshirt (not the pt one) because its the only pullover any of us own.

As a side not, I do know that some people are hazed in town for wearing their uniforms in public- but it's always been wearing their issued boots with civvies and cammie pants mixed with regular tshirts. 

but it's always been wearing their issued boots with civvies and cammie pants mixed with regular tshirts.
Yeah, that's a huge no-no 

Sounds like a boot 

Sounds like a boot
I know you probably didn't mean to be rude, but that's pretty hurtful to say about someone's husband. 

What's hurtful about it?

It's just Marine slang for younger Marines (recruits, and/or first termers) who haven't quite learned the ropes yet. Every Marine since the beginning of time was considered a Boot at some point. Some just take longer to mature out of that stage ;-) 

Ha ha ha. My husband decided he was a boot again when he went from a regular infantry position to a "POG" position. He picked it up quickly but still, there are always small fish in the big boy/girl pond. It's just the nature of things. 

Yeah, but I know that even the new ones don't like it. 

I dont think it's as big of a deal as you're thinking. There are far worse names they are called. If they get their panties in a bunch over being called a boot by fellow Marines they have far worse problems. 

Sheesh. It's a nickname, or " he made a boot mistake" but hey I'm sure the SNCO's would be happy to call those who have a problem with it by another name. 

Yeah, I suppose. I think I have even called a female marine worse. 

Nothing will happen. People who aren't even associated with the military in any way wear shirts like that. The only reason someone might say something is if it says "USMC wife" or "my other half is deployed" or something similar. Even then, I doubt it. Those are just really silly shirts, lol.