Patriotic US veteran driving their truck down a freeway, US flags waving in the wind, a Don’t Tread on me decal, US Navy crest or rate decal might also be seen. The US Navy decals seen on most US military owned trucks from the truck to the Humvee has a US Navy decal that displays an attitude, expresses freedom and let’s everyone know an active duty US Navy Sailor, Reservist or US Navy Veteran is at the wheel.
Some might call it a military souvenir.
American’s in times of war were well known for collecting the flags of an enemy from the German 3rd Reich to Imperial Japanese Rising sun flags during World War 2. Even items such as helmets and Samurai swords Americans were famous for collecting. In a way it sent a message similar to the Roman Legions and their famous words of We Came, We Saw, and We Conquered. Only in our case it was We Came, We Kicked Ass and We Took Home the Prom Queen. All kidding aside the US Military from US Marines to United States Army Soldiers have always had an insightful way of displaying their souvenirs on their car and truck windows often displaying their incredible relationship to our way of life here at home and Freedom to an MOS, military command or unit, ship boat or squadron even. The US military decal has become a definite way to acknowledge time in service, some of the ups and downs but also a way to send a message of unity among other members of the US Armed Forces. It’s a tight team of warriors.
A US Navy decal is very similar in that they are collected, placed on cars and send a strong message to everyone around it that this long haul truck driver, Harley Davidson HOG driver, nurse heading to their shift, soccer mom and construction electrician (Former US Navy Seabee) heading to a job are all US Navy have been and always will be. One team. One fight and if you are confused as you see them going by then take a look at that US Navy decal and understand who and what they do and di in the service of the United States Navy. You might be watching a US Navy UDT frogman or US Navy SEAL going by. Throw them a quick hello or a wave.
So going back to our brother and sisters in wars past the collection of a war souvenir can be symbolically moved to the military decals we display on our vehicles in both times of peace and war. We Came. We Saw. We Affixed a US Navy Decal.
Navy Rate Decals
Every US Navy job also known as a rate covers a wide expanse of career paths and choices from the Yeoman to Boatswain’s mates, Gunner’s Mates and more. A US Navy decal can and often covers these many rates of the US Navy and does so from displaying the rate symbol to a catchy slogan like “Stew Burner” for Culinary Specialists to Deck Ape for the Boatswain’s Mates. It’s a fun and often insightful way to learn more about the US Navy or recognize what that US Navy is staying or displaying.
US Navy Decal Construction
When I think of construction I feel a connection to the Steel workers, utilities man, and the other US navy rates found within the Seabee community. Our decals although constructed of the finest materials certainly aren’t the Seabees or fall under the same level of complexity of the materials they use but we can dream. For a great sticker to last and survive the conditions of harsh summers, direct sunlight or the freezing cold of an Arctic environment a decal needs to make it over time. That means vinyl, permanent adhesive and a laminate that protects it from UV, cleaning supplies and in some cases a toxic environment. That’s how we build them and we build them to last. Its’ not Ford Motor Company trying to suggest a military grade level truck (always laughed at that one) but our decals have been on HUMVEES in OIF and OEF, on Patriot Guard motorcycles, and across the country on patriotic American’s vehicles who want to display their pride in country, pride in self and pride in the US military. That says it all.
