The "New" Army---soldiers express affection for "My Little Pony"

[Wolseley]

There's a new insignia showing up on the sleeves of a small group of military men, but instead of denoting rank, it advertises their love for a cartoon inspired by the girlish 1980s plastic toy called "My Little Pony."

So-called "Bronies," adult men who are fans of the TV show "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic," have apparently been around at least since 2010, when the Hasbro-owned cartoon first aired. Within their ranks are "Military Bronies," service members from all branches of the military who share their love of the show and wear the "cutie mark" -- a Rainbow Dash patch on their uniforms, Army Times first reported.

In a post to the Facebook page, a self-described serviceman who gave his name, but no branch or rank said fellow Bronies have made a soldier out of him.

"You, the bronies, have taught me that there are things and people worth protecting; things bigger and more important than myself," write Ken "Derpy" Catlin. "All because I decided to watch some "gay" little show about 6 ponies. Again, as I have said before, I cannot thank you, the MLP team, or the ponies themselves enough for what they have done for me, and this world."

Warhorse: The military's 'My Little Pony' fan club | Fox News

Words fail me.

 

[*Starlight*]

This is seriously awesome Yay for them!

 

[IzzyPop]

I prefer Pinkie Pie. But I can see where a military guy would go for Rainbow Dash.

 

[Leap]

I had to doublecheck and make sure this wasnt the Daily Mash.

 

[Supreme]

I'm a grown male, pretty darn masculine, and I have to say, I LOVE Spongebob Squarepants... my little brother is always watching it on the TV and it always makes me laugh. But this is weirder. Still, each to their own.

 

[cow451]

I had to doublecheck and make sure this wasnt the Daily Mash.

I can attest that teenaged and young men are into MLP. Young'uns are into anime, sci-fi, Dr. Who and all sorts of other-worldy stuff. Having been to a few sci-fi/anime conventions ("cons"), this is happening. Check out Big Bang Theory, too. Now, these endeavors do require good brain matter, so we can take heart in that these kids are plenty smart and will be running the machines that keep us alive (if you call it living) intoour 90's.

It's a new world, folks. We're here with our knickers in a wad over evil Islam and Liberals while the real threat my actually be Pokemon.

 

[wanderingone]

I can attest that teenaged and young men are into MLP. Young'uns are into anime, sci-fi, Dr. Who and all sorts of other-worldy stuff. Having been to a few sci-fi/anime conventions ("cons"), this is happening. Check out Big Bang Theory, too. Now, these endeavors do require good brain matter, so we can take heart in that these kids are plenty smart and will be running the machines that keep us alive (if you call it living) intoour 90's.

It's a new world, folks. We're here with our knickers in a wad over evil Islam and Liberals while the real threat my actually be Pokemon.

Hey.. Dr. Who has been around for decades... don't be comparing the doctor to those bronies...

I think the fanboys just ran out of new stuff to love... I have a kid who makes accessories (wallets, jewelry, scarves etc..) based on and with comic character (in her case it's generally superheros) and when I go with her to sell at cons it's pretty interesting all the character men and women are into. Not my thing in general, I like some of the art, but can't get into story lines of cartoon characters. I don't understand the love affair with my little pony .. but I know my kids and later my younger nephews adored the toys.. and some of them liked to watch the show.

Personally I think people who get interviewed about what they like and why should stop trying to make it sound reasonable, or "good" that they like stuff and just say "What do you mean what is it about ____ I like? I just like it" and go on about their day. Why do people need to know "why" people are into the interests they have?

(don't understand the pony love and never will... and don't care... other than to tell my daughter she needs to include some pony gear .. but she won't)

 

[Desk trauma]

Man signs up for the military, takes an oath to protect the US, passes all requirements to be fit for duty, wait he is a bronie in his off time?

Military readiness is over! Mission failed! Work out which way Mecca is, the Caliphate has arrived!

 

[Rion]

Bronies have been around for a while. They tend to be... kind of annoying to other fandoms.

 

[Touma]

We need McCarthy to come back from the dead. There are Bronies in the Army. Far greater threat than the red scare we had.

 

[cow451]

We need McCarthy to come back from the dead. There are Bronies in the Army. Far greater threat than the red scare we had.

You know if he were a vampire, he'd always come back from the dead because he makes such a great villian in the storyline.

 

[Sayen]

Just as a critical note to those convinced the apocalypse is nigh, the article does not mention what percentage of military personnel are involved. 1500 likes on a FB page doesn't even mean they're all military.

And just for discussion - other than the violation of uniform (eh), want to explain why this is such a bad thing?

 

[Rion]

Just as a critical note to those convinced the apocalypse is nigh, the article does not mention what percentage of military personnel are involved. 1500 likes on a FB page doesn't even mean they're all military.

And just for discussion - other than the violation of uniform (eh), want to explain why this is such a bad thing?

*answered tongue in cheek* Well, if they're like the ones I've come across, they tend to be trollish. Which means... they're trolls, trained to kill!

 

[cow451]

If Jerry Falwell were alive, he would be having a field day with this one.

 

[wanderingone]

If Jerry Falwell were alive, he would be having a field day with this one.

Was it falwell who said one of those.... geez... what were they called... was gay... or were they all gay....?

----------------------

I knew as soon as I posted I'd remember what they were called.. Teletubbies...

 

[TLK Valentine]

*answered tongue in cheek* Well, if they're like the ones I've come across, they tend to be trollish. Which means... they're trolls, trained to kill!

They may be trolls, but at least they're our trolls...

Forget about enriched uranium; let's make sure Iran never gets it hands on any Bronies.

 

[JustMeSee]

Uniform policy aside, I don't see the problem here.

 

[Glass*Soul]

Words fail me.

Indeed. What ever happened to the manly military men of yore?

Tweety Bird FTW.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

What, no Care Bears??

 

[Wolseley]

Indeed. What ever happened to the manly military men of yore?

Tweety Bird FTW.

Well, technically speaking....

The first picture identifies itself as a logo for a COVEY FAC (Covert Forward Air Controller) unit; these were squadrons operating in Vietnam, flying OV-10 Broncos, and providing air recon for ground troops, primarily Special Forces.

The next picture shows an O-2A Cessna, another light observation craft used in Vietnam.

The next two pictures show two different A-26 Invaders, both of which were no longer in active military service, and were owned by a Canadian company that used them to fight forest fires---you'll notice Bugs is holding a hose with a fire in the background.

So....Snoopy is getting shot at, Tweety has been shot at (and from the looks of him he's prepared to return fire), and Bugs and Marvin were affiliated with a company fighting forest fires---certainly a "manly" occupation.

What has the My Little Pony characters done, except to help the soldier in the OP to feel "all special" about himself?

Point being, usually aircraft nose art deals with two subjects: sexy women, and military activities being engaged in by the characters depicted. As opposed to My Little Pony, which seems to be restricted to rainbow "cutie marks".

I don't know. Just seems rather juvenile to me. Back in the day, a lot of the cutsie cartoon characters were decidedly "de-cutsified" on military aircraft and unofficial patches----I'd post a few of them but it would be massively against the rules.