Nov 12, 2025 · 47 min · 16 segments
The end of the draft leads to the yuppification of the field jacket. Images links and more at articlesofinterest.substack.com Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Avery TrufelmanHostRay ChristianGuestJasper CravenGuestBingdong DuanGuestCharles McFarlanGuestLogan McGrathGuestCarl GoldbergGuest
Journalist and costume historian Charles McFarlan has a number of authentic field jackets, some that were precursors to the M43, a number that came after.
And then Charles laid out this one 1940s field jacket that was in terrible shape.
Yeah, so there's a peace sign on the back, probably done in some kind of marker.
It is a really great example of a jacket that was acquired by someone in the 1960s and worn during the counterculture movement.
In the 1960s, there was still tons of military surplus leftover from World War II.
But unlike the previous generation, the generation that had treated this surplus like good quality cheap basics, the antiwar movement of the '60s flaunted these old field jackets and fatigues.
They enjoyed actively messing with the symbolism and uniform of the United States Army.
The counterculture that existed during Vietnam just completely, like, copped all of the swag that the military had, you know?
This is Jasper Craven, a journalist who covers the military and veterans issues.
My dad was deeply involved in the antiwar movement to the point that he dated Jane Fonda for a time.
There's a terrible demonstration going on outside.
Journalist and costume historian Charles McFarlan has a number of authentic field jackets, some that were precursors to the M43, a number that came after.
And then Charles laid out this one 1940s field jacket that was in terrible shape.
Yeah, so there's a peace sign on the back, probably done in some kind of marker.
It is a really great example of a jacket that was acquired by someone in the 1960s and worn during the counterculture movement.
In the 1960s, there was still tons of military surplus leftover from World War II.
But unlike the previous generation, the generation that had treated this surplus like good quality cheap basics, the antiwar movement of the '60s flaunted these old field jackets and fatigues.
They enjoyed actively messing with the symbolism and uniform of the United States Army.
The counterculture that existed during Vietnam just completely, like, copped all of the swag that the military had, you know?
This is Jasper Craven, a journalist who covers the military and veterans issues.
My dad was deeply involved in the antiwar movement to the point that he dated Jane Fonda for a time.
There's a terrible demonstration going on outside.
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