Yeah, I was wondering about that shot because there's that one kid next to Sarge (can't remember his name), and I know full well his mom and Dad brought him to that DragonCon and I doubted they'd let a picture be taken of him next to those girls.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Normally I fall into the group that just wears the costume for their own enjoyment, whether people will "get it" or not. That said... I am now going to be carrying either my Facehugger or my shorty Pulse Rifle with me any time I wear my USCM Service Charlies, unless it's in a group of USCM costumers. Here's why for any who are interested!

Fun fact, this year's Dragon*Con (unfortunately) marks the first time someone has tried to pick a fight with me over my USCM costume. Jessica (girlspectre) and I were people-watching from the Pulse Loft bar one of the evenings - USCM Pinup and Service Charlies, respectively - when out of the corner of my eye I noticed someone giving me the stare from his own group of friends across the way. You all know the look I'm talking about: that smug-smirking, sideways "check this guy out" remarking, "Dare You To Make Eye Contact With Me" look.

I look right at the guy and smile a greeting. His expression doesn't change. I shout over the crowd noise to ask if he has a question. "Nah," he replies. I reply back that he's been standing there staring at me, so he must have a question about something, to which he shoots back, "Well, I know what the real thing looks like, so I'm just trying to decide what the @#$% you are."



This guy looked like he was barely legal drinking age... wouldn't have been surprised if he was junior Enlisted. I didn't ask. Props to him for having passion, I guess, if not tact. At any rate, at that point I simply walked over to him, showed him my military ID, and told him not to make assumptions and that this was a costume from a movie, not a military uniform. He puts his hands up and says, "Alright, fine," and by the time I had walked back over to where Jessica was and turned around, he was already stomping his way down the Loft stairs.

The moral of this story, for me at least, is two-fold. One, it was a reminder to me that misunderstandings can always occur any time costumes are worn resembling anything another takes pride in, and we must remember to keep our heads when they do. I almost lost my cool with this guy... but how badly would that have reflected on the rest of us if I had? And Two... from now on, I will have my Facehugger plush on my shoulder whenever I wear the Service Charlies, lol. The crowds love it, you can do some pretty funny camera poses with it... and nothing beats circumventing drama before it happens.

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CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

Ahh, the "Poser" issue. Yes, there are also some awkward times when people do the opposite and thank you for your service. Not a big deal to smile and nod or tell them it is a costume. I had my 3pats on at the grocery store and some kid said "Cool pants, thanks for your service".

Never worry about the "Poser" issue unless you are trying to sneak a doughnut out of the USO or hang out in a military pub.

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No, they are not going to see this coming...

The only reason I can think of why one should ever sneak a donut out of the USO is if you're counting calories and want to make it out of there without some kindly volunteer shoving three more, a sandwich, and a Coca-Cola into your arms as well ;D

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CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

It's really the pits when something like this happens, but major kudos to you Sean for handling it as you did.

I really don't get the mentality of these people who become ridiculously offended by the replication of a military uniform when it is being worn at a costume convention.

I can understand being seen at the local bar trying to impress chicks- that can and deservedly will get you an ass beating (not to mention if your uniform is authentic enough to the real military, and you are not actually a serviceman in its respective branch- it's illegal).


I guess I have to consider myself lucky that something like this hasn't happened to me yet.


However there were two occassions at D-Con (back in 2008) that wearing these uniforms truly felt "wrong":

On the Friday night the boys and I were all going to the Hard Rock cafe for dinner- Derek (Cpl Smith) and I had on our Service C uniforms.

Standing outside the Hard Rock- a homeless person walked up to me and just said two words:

"Welcome home."

He didn't want money or wanted to bother me. It kinda gave my heart a twinge.


And on the Sunday while wearing my Dress Blues- walking across the street between the Hyatt and Mariott a woman in costume passing by me said two words:

"Thank you."

THAT truly made me feel like an imposter.

However I did have a D-Con regular (who was retired Air Force) take one look at me in Dress Blues and just shake my hand.

Worst thing that happened to me was someone giving me a slightly confused (and borderline scrutinizing) look and commenting "That looks a lot like Dress Blues. "

Well that and when "Danger Girl" decided to start singing the first verse of the Marine's Hymm at the top of her lungs at me... in the connecting bridge between the Marriott and the food court (making it ten times louder)!

I tried to play along until I realized she's not stopping and EVERYONE is staring at me! I had to just walk away.


Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Only had it happen once...won't happen again.

All-Con in Dallas back...well a few years ago now it was myself, Neokramer, AirBorne Mike, ExoFrame, Michelle, Ambrosia and a few others (yeah, remember those guys?) in our BDU's eating breakfast at I-Hop around the corner from the con.
We were a little loud I guess but just having a good time and when we asked for the bill we were told 'some gentleman had picked up our tab'.
We were not told who this individual was only that 'oh he's left now' and we were left....well gobsmacked!!
We covered the cost of the meal with the tip (lucky waitress) and left rather quietly.

Turns out it was the manager after Ambrosia went back for her phone.
That really opened my eyes and I swore never to let it happen again.

I'm sure I've told this before...but it's always good to repeat it to avoid it happening again.

A similar issue was this past D*Con with Rex, Dan Kim, Russ, Dru and myself dressed as Sheriffs Deputies from Walking Dead.
Plenty of people asking us for directions, not many for photos though

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Well handled Sean. Stick with the facehugger. The kids loved it.

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Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

SSgt Burton - Cheers for the "picture" explanation - I'm a little disappointed to hear it is photo shopped, but I see it now! Can't believe people walk around at the Con like that, that takes some balls (um, ok not applicable to them but you get me).

Amazed to hear the response you guys have had to being in public with you uniforms on; some really interesting responses and situations. Not sure it would be something we'd find much over here though - your country certainly seems to venerate your military personnel a lot more then our society do, and I can well imagine the situations you describe based on what I've seen of American culture.

Outcry27 - nicely handled, I think you did yourself a solid there, and fair play to confronting him about it.

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Si vis pacem, para bellum
SFC Steve "Fireball" Parsons - A08/TQ1.0.52150E1
69th Regt. 1st Batt. Homers Heroes

Really interesting cultural differences here.

As Fireball mentioned I really couldn't see this situation in the UK. The public would most probably presume it was a costume and those that thought it might be real would really not care. I've never come across any service men or woman over here that would see a problem with it unless like Kev mentioned, it was used to somehow in a bad light or to gain fraudulent credit

Interesting paradigm.

I was actually going to broach that topic here, and your comment sets it up perfectly.

There really is a difference, culturally, in how the two are seen in the two different nations, and it has a lot to do with media and (for lack of a less negative-sounding term) propaganda. I love how thoroughly the military is appreciated in this country, now, as opposed to how they were spat upon in the Vietnam era... even if it's just a result of certain politicians using "support the troops" as a way to make themselves look more "patriotic." The appreciation is sincere, even though what started the trend may not be. The dark side to that trend, though, is that in recent years I almost feel like many Americans take it *too* far. It's one of those topics we tiptoe around, now, like racism or sexism: it's like there's such an overwhelming expectation of "Support the Troops or you're a Bad American!!," that people go out of their way to avoid seeming otherwise, the same way people trip over themselves to disclaimer a remark that could, maybe, possibly, be seen as discriminatory if taken the wrong way.

Military discounts are nice, and the occasional "Thank you for your service!" really warms my heart... but every now and then I come across a display of support that's so overbearing it makes me wonder if the person thinks I must be storming Normandy on a weekly basis or something, and it can be pretty uncomfortable. The only thing you can do is smile, and say thank you, and move along.

I think this phenomenon is honestly at the core of the occasional "Poser" issues we've come across at events here in the States. We Americans are living in a culture now that idolizes or even worships its military men and women... and as a result, anyone who appears to be poaching that valor is hated with an equal fervor.

The ironic part? There are plenty of obvious details to every variation of our costumes that should clearly distinguish them from any current military uniform. Most people just don't bother to look closely enough, or just don't know enough about this thing that they claim to love... and yet, when we point out, "Thanks, but it's actually a movie costume," suddenly we're the jerks.

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CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

After the parade (where I wore my Service C's) I was stopped by a lady asking where I'd got my cover from. I said Ebay and she turned to her friend and said 'They're selling our stuff now'. I apologised for offending her but she explained that she was a retired Marine Sergeant (had been in for 20 years) and that she was far from offended. In fact, she complemented me on my uniform and said that she would have been proud to have me as a member of her squad. She took two photos, one of me on my own and one with her and as I stood at ease she said 'you even do that well'. I was grinning from ear to ear!

I had a few people wish me Happy Labor Day on Monday (I had my Charlies on again for my table duty). Julian Sands asked about my military career.

I can't say I've ever had a negative experience in my Aliens costumes (or any costume for that matter).

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

Well DONE! And that just goes to show that how one carries oneself can make all the difference.

I was just having a convo with a roommate about this thread, actually, and one of the things that I mentioned was that I don't mind seeing actual uniforms worn at a costume event, as long as they're worn "within Regs" or as close to it as can be expected of a civilian. You wanna wear my modern Cracker Jacks as part of a WW2 vintage group? I'm fine with it... as long as you shave, tie your neckerchief correctly, and take your cover off indoors!

And if you don't know how to do any of those things, then I'll be happy to show you.

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CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

As I dont have my Charlies yet, I cant comment on that part. But when I was in my SG rig Saturday, morning that was easily the most number of compliments I have received in costume.... Including the number of picture requests. Everyone of them boiled down to what kind of a bad@ss I looked like. After my thesis I'm going back to the gym and loose the grad school 40..... So at lest I will look less of a poser in C's

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SSGT "Giggles" W.A.L.
SN A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
USS Columbia, Heavy Weapons Section
"If you are going to die, die with a real weapon. Not a little sissy gun like that. "

Having been to two Dragon con's i found that if people came up to me in the street , as soon as i opened my mouth and they heard my English accent , they seemed to accept me a someone taking part at Dragon con and not some one pretending to be a real Marine ..also when not in the parade or in the Hotels i tended to get out of my Uniform / Armour , and just walk around in Bdu Trousers and a Sci fi related T- Shirt .. as has been said we do not have the same problem here in the UK ... when i did the NSC a few years back we would wander around in full costume all the time , even sitting in the hotel bar in service C 's and had no problem .... though Having Ian Whyte sitting at your table most likely helped ..

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Pfc Glenn Allen ,
1st Batt. 69th Regiment,
Homers Hero's..
Drops so Far.... 29 and counting

I think NEXT time, we need at least one Zombie deputy along with all the live ones. Then people might figure it out.

When I wore the WD Deputy uniform to Marscon, I actually slapped a bloody handprint on the back. I need to figure out a
"blood" that doesn't dry out... and doesn't stay physically wet either. Latex?

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"A writer needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." - Orson Wells.

http://www.rookscastle.com
http://www.alchemyarms.com

Hey, I've been 'in uniform' many a time on the way to skirmishes and re-enactments.
Only 2-3 times I've had the 'So what are you then?' type question and 'fessed up to being a re-enactor, usually framed with "Heh- the SALVATION Army wouldn't take me, let alone anyone else"

Truth to tell, I get more hassle if I'm wearing my normal working clothes anywhere near a department store or Home Depot style outlet: You stand still long enough with a short-sleeved white shirt on and a plain coloured tie plus a name tag and sooner-or-later I get asked
"Do you know where the tiles are, mate?" or similar
Then get frowned at or laughed at when I say "....Err. I don't actually work here, mate"

Sad thing is- the last 2 times I DID know, answered, and they'd toddled off happy before I realised they thought I was the shop help or something

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2nd Lt Jon "Jaylo" Lopez
A11/TQ1.0.72144E1
USCM Quality Assurance Division- Aerospace and Space Products- Earth
"Checklists Save Lives- No Service Stations at 30,000ft"

Great idea, Russ! Let me be the first to volunteer for Zombie deputy duty if/when we do that again. Sounds like a lot more fun than being avoided or asked directions to the MARTA station!

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

heh, I had a job "interview" today where something like this came up.. I almost wore my Kitty Hawk hat to work in, but as I was telling one of the other workers there, It has a Chief's insignia on it, and I wasn't a Chief when I retired. He said "I don't think anyone would care about it.." to which I replied "I would."

So far, I've been lucky & not had anyone get their knickers in a twist over my costume.. Though I know it'll happen sooner or later.

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Hey now, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, cuz remember..No matter where you go, there you are.

As a historical reenactor and as a costumer, I make every effort to avoid situations where I'm in a uniform outside of an obvious history/costume event to avoid these kinds of situations. On some occasions where people have mistaken me for active duty (even though I was wearing a Civil War uniform modified for a Steampunk convention...), I have accepted their thanks quietly in good grace--it was less embarrassing to the well-meaning individual than trying to explain.

And then make it a point return the gesture two-fold for a real veteran or service member.

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I intend to live forever, or die trying.
Groucho Marx

Very well said Pelikan!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751