2000 + hours in fighters, combat on the ground during Desert Storm...

I won't wear anything BUT an ALPA lanyard. I didn't wear my FedEx stuff into my squadron when I flew in the ANG, but guys there knew I was proud of being an airline pilot. I don't wear military stuff into FedEx, not because I am not proud of what I did, but because I respect the profession and the work many did before me to get us where we are today in the industry. Fred Smith may have built FedEx, but the contracts we have--modeled after contracts at other airlines--came from years of effort, collective resolve, and sacrifice. I respected the culture of my service, and was proud of it. I certainly respect the culture of the US Marine Corp, and think the whole Quantico indoc process creates a damn good officer.

But like Huck--I know trip rig, duty rig, per diem, TCAS, GPWS, and a host of everything things we take for granted all came because somebody else helped bring them to us. ALPA has done a lot of us individually and collectively.

Wasn't it Patton who famously railed on troops for improper minor uniform infractions? "If I cannot get them to wear the right socks, how can I expect them to die for their country?" I feel the same way at FedEx. How can I trust you to have my back when the chips are down, when I cannot even get you to wear your lanyard?

Its your call. I'll never try to "intimidate" anyone. But if the University of XXX or flashing your old service is more important to you than showing a little unity, noted. I can't fix that. But I know what I will be wearing...