# Military bronies

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Military fans of My Little Pony

Military veteran, and non-veteran, fans of *[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic](/source/My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_is_Magic)*, posing for a group photo after the panel "Bronies in Uniform" at [San Diego Comic-Con](/source/San_Diego_Comic-Con) 2018.

The [*My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic* fandom](/source/My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic_fandom) includes active-duty, retired, and prospective [military service](/source/Military_service) members, commonly referred to as **military bronies**. This fandom [subculture](/source/Subculture)—representing an estimated 4–5% of the overall brony population—gained media attention in the early 2010s due to their Internet-based community activities and incidents involving unauthorized patches on military uniforms.

The phenomenon has generated mixed reactions; some critics questioned the appropriateness of military personnel watching a children's show and raised concerns about uniform violations. Military bronies have publicly defended their fandom and have asserted their right to enjoy the show. Military bronies generally hold a place of honor among [civilian](/source/Civilian) members of the fandom.

Academics have analyzed the military bronies subculture as a challenge to [traditional masculinity](/source/Masculinity) within [military culture](/source/Military_culture).

## Overview

[LCDR](/source/Lieutenant_commander) Ted Visser, [TSgt](/source/TSgt) Christine Sparks, [Sgt](/source/Sergeant) Dylan Main, [Cpl](/source/Corporal) Zac Caruthers, [SPC](/source/Specialist_(rank)) Jan P. Ducos, and [LCpl](/source/LCpl) Lyle Gilpatrick speak about their experience of being a brony and a service member in the [United States Armed Forces](/source/United_States_Armed_Forces).

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Equestria Toyline Cutie mark Elements of Harmony Pony Spin-offs My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2013–2020)(List of animations) My Little Pony: Pony Life (2020–2021)(List of episodes) Characters Mane Six Twilight Sparkle Rainbow Dash Pinkie Pie Applejack Fluttershy Rarity Supporting Spike Princess Celestia Princess Luna Princess Cadance Shining Armor Discord Starlight Glimmer Trixie Zecora Antagonists Queen Chrysalis Lord Tirek Cozy Glow Minor Derpy Hooves Background Six Cheese Sandwich Quibble Pants The Wonderbolts Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty Equestria Girls Sunset Shimmer Seasons & episodes Season 1 (2010–2011) "Friendship Is Magic" "The Ticket Master" "Applebuck Season" "Griffon the Brush Off" "Boast Busters" "Dragonshy" "Look Before You Sleep" "Bridle Gossip" "Swarm of the Century" "Winter Wrap Up" "Call of the Cutie" "Fall Weather Friends" "Suited for Success" "Feeling Pinkie Keen" "Sonic Rainboom" "Stare Master" "The Show Stoppers" "A Dog and Pony Show" "Green Isn't Your Color" "Over a Barrel" "A Bird in the Hoof" "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" "Owl's Well That Ends Well" "Party of One" "The Best Night Ever" Season 2 (2011–2012) "The Return of Harmony" "Lesson Zero" "Luna Eclipsed" "Sisterhooves Social" "The Cutie Pox" "May the Best Pet Win!" "The Mysterious Mare Do Well" "Sweet and Elite" "Secret of My Excess" "Hearth's Warming Eve" "Family Appreciation Day" "Baby Cakes" "The Last Roundup" "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000" "Read It and Weep" "Hearts and Hooves Day" "A Friend in Deed" "Putting Your Hoof Down" "It's About Time" "Dragon Quest" "Hurricane Fluttershy" "Ponyville Confidential" "MMMystery on the Friendship Express" "A Canterlot Wedding" Season 3 (2012–2013) "The Crystal Empire" "Too Many Pinkie Pies" "One Bad Apple" "Magic Duel" "Sleepless in Ponyville" "Wonderbolts Academy" "Apple Family Reunion" "Spike at Your Service" "Keep Calm and Flutter On" "Just for Sidekicks" "Games Ponies Play" "Magical Mystery Cure" Season 4 (2013–2014) "Princess Twilight Sparkle" "Castle Mane-ia" "Daring Don't" "Flight to the Finish" "Power Ponies" "Bats!" "Rarity Takes Manehattan" "Pinkie Apple Pie" "Rainbow Falls" "Three's a Crowd" "Pinkie Pride" "Simple Ways" "Filli Vanilli" "Twilight Time" "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" "Somepony to Watch Over Me" "Maud Pie" "For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils" "Leap of Faith" "Testing Testing 1, 2, 3" "Trade Ya!" "Inspiration Manifestation" "Equestria Games" "Twilight's Kingdom" Season 5 (2015) "The Cutie Map" "Castle Sweet Castle" "Tanks for the Memories" "Slice of Life" "Amending Fences" "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" "Made in Manehattan" "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" "The Hooffields and McColts" "The Cutie Re-Mark" Season 6 (2016) "A Hearth's Warming Tail" "The Times They Are a Changeling" Season 7 (2017) "The Perfect Pear" Season 8 (2018) "Grannies Gone Wild" Season 9 (2019) "The Last Crusade" Series finale Media Films & specials My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) My Little Pony: Best Gift Ever (2018) My Little Pony: Rainbow Roadtrip (2019) Music Theme song "This Day Aria" Movie Soundtrack "Rainbow" "Off to See the World" Games My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day Gameloft video game Collectible card game Other media Home video releases IDW comics Issues My Little Pony/Transformers Brony fandom Fan works (list) 15.ai Voiceverse NFT plagiarism scandal A Brony Tale Bronies (documentary) Derpibooru Equestria Daily Fimfiction Fallout: Equestria Friendship Is Witchcraft Legends of Equestria Love & Ponystep Ponysona PONY.MOV Them's Fightin' Herds Fandom people 15 hotdiggedydemon Jenny Nicholson Odyssey Eurobeat Sethisto The Living Tombstone Vylet Pony Fan culture Analysis Brony music Bronyspeak Charity Criticism Fan art Clop Ponysona Fan fiction Military bronies /mlp/ Online communities My Little Pony conventions BABSCon BronyCAN BronyCon Czequestria Everfree Northwest GalaCon Ponyville Ciderfest RuBronyCon TrotCon UK PonyCon Vanhoover Pony Expo v t e

According to a 2016 study published in the *[Journal of Fandom Studies](/source/Journal_of_Fandom_Studies)*, military bronies represent an estimated 4–5% of the overall brony population and are largely an Internet-based community.[1] The military bronies [Facebook page](/source/Facebook_page), which was created in 2012, had accumulated more than 2,600 members by the end of that year.[2][3][4] By 2013, the page had over 8,000 members;[5] by 2015, it had over 10,000.[6] Military bronies also established [dedicated websites and forums](/source/Online_communities_of_the_My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic_fandom) where members could display custom-made patches and discuss the show and fandom.[2][7]

Military bronies consist of service members from all military branches, though according to *[Pacific Standard](/source/Pacific_Standard)*, "there is a perception among them that [Marines](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) are the majority."[6] Some enlisted personnel have connected their military service to their appreciation of the show's themes.[8][3] For example, military bronies have drawn parallels between the [Elements of Harmony](/source/Elements_of_Harmony) and the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army)'s core values, known by the acronym [LDRSHIP](/source/LDRSHIP) (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage).[6][8]

At [BronyCon](/source/BronyCon) 2012, military bronies received special recognition with a military-only lunch featuring voice actress [Tara Strong](/source/Tara_Strong), who voiced show protagonist [Twilight Sparkle](/source/Twilight_Sparkle). Civilian bronies cheered when they spotted military personnel in uniform, with one [National Guardsman](/source/National_Guard_(United_States)) recalling: "We barely made it up to the top steps and everyone outside was cheering for us."[2][9][3]

In 2013, Joint Undergraduate Specialized Pilot Class 14–05 at [Vance Air Force Base](/source/Vance_Air_Force_Base) wore "My Little Pilot" patches during training. According to [first lieutenant](/source/First_lieutenant) Thomas Barger, the patch was originally included "as an ironic joke" but was the only design approved, which prompted the class to embrace "the irony and humor of the patch."[10][11][12]

At [San Diego Comic-Con](/source/San_Diego_Comic-Con) 2018, a "Bronies in Uniform" panel featured military bronies from multiple service branches discussing their experiences. The panel addressed topics like [mental health challenges in the military](/source/Military_psychiatry) and [veteran suicide rates](/source/United_States_military_veteran_suicide).[13]

## Reception

[Fan art](/source/Art_of_the_My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic_fandom) of a [ponification](/source/Ponification) of the [United States](/source/United_States)

In July 2012, some critics raised concerns about uniform violations after it was reported that some military bronies were displaying [cutie mark](/source/Cutie_mark) patches on their uniforms at BronyCon 2012.[14] A *[Military Times](/source/Military_Times)* commenter identified potential violations of wearing uniforms at unauthorized events and displaying non-sanctioned patches. In response to the incident, a [Pentagon](/source/The_Pentagon) spokeswoman stated that "non-authorized, non-military patches are not authorized for wear on military uniforms."[2] An administrator of the military bronies Facebook page wrote: "[T]here are plenty of ways to show your brony pride without running afoul of the uniform regulations. We are bronies, and we are professionals!"[4]

Some critics have questioned the appropriateness of adult military personnel watching a children's show. One active-duty [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) serviceman responded: "I am Active Duty Army, I possess a [Top Secret security clearance](/source/United_States_security_clearance#Top_Secret) as well as caveats above that, I have a wife and son, and I love to shoot things and watch things explode. Yet I am 'immasculine'? Don't like it? Move to [Canada](/source/Canada)." A [U.S. Air Force](/source/U.S._Air_Force) pilot stated: "I like [Metallica](/source/Metallica), the [Phillies](/source/Phillies), [Sam Adams](/source/Sam_Adams), *[Grand Theft Auto](/source/Grand_Theft_Auto)*, [*Maxim* magazine](/source/Maxim_(magazine)), *[Game of Thrones](/source/Game_of_Thrones)*, *[Jackass](/source/Jackass_(franchise))*, and *[My Little Pony](/source/My_Little_Pony)*. As [Rainbow Dash](/source/Rainbow_Dash) would say: deal with it." One Air Force [meteorologist](/source/Meteorologist) wrote about his public expression as a brony by wearing fandom [T-shirts](/source/T-shirts): "I was apprehensive about the response I would get because military guys tend to be raw and [macho](/source/Macho). But I'm surprised at how many nerdy guys I keep meeting in the Air Force."[3]

*[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Colorado_Springs))* reported that a mutual friend of two military bronies who became [depressed](/source/Depression_(mood)) and [suicidal](/source/Suicidal) after losing a friend in the [War in Afghanistan](/source/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)) found comfort and healing by discovering and watching *[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic](/source/My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic)*.[5]

In 2012, [Margaret Loesch](/source/Margaret_Loesch), the then-[CEO](/source/CEO) and President of [The Hub](/source/Discovery_Family#As_Hub_Network_(2010–2014)) (the television channel where *Friendship Is Magic* aired), noted from an email from a group of United States enlisted personnel in [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) explained how they came by the show by way of their daughters, but found the emphasis on teamwork and covering each other's backs resonated with their military fellowship. Loesch stated: "Even though it's a show designed for little girls, the theme of friendship and honor and integrity and the moral center has relevance to them. That's pretty special."[15]

Some military bronies have also [reported experiencing bullying and harassment](/source/Analysis_of_the_My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic_fandom#Discrimination_and_anti-fandom_("anti-bronies")) from fellow service members. At the 2018 Comic-Con panel, Navy [LCDR](/source/Lieutenant_commander) Ted Visser described being "outed" as a brony in front of hundreds of personnel, which resulted in subordinates showing disrespect and at times refusing to follow his orders despite his rank.[13]

## Analysis

In a 2016 study published in the *[Journal of Fandom Studies](/source/Journal_of_Fandom_Studies)*, Maria Patrice Amon conducted [ethnographic research](/source/Ethnographic_study) on military bronies through [brony convention](/source/Brony_convention) attendance, interviews, and analysis of fan content. Amon found that military bronies represent an estimated 4–5% of the overall brony population, and that approximately 95% of military bronies are male. Amon argued that military bronies challenge traditional ideas about [masculinity](/source/Masculinity) because their military service gives them secure masculine credentials, which allows them to openly enjoy a show designed for young girls without losing their [masculine identity](/source/Gender_identity). According to Amon, by [expressing emotions](/source/Emotional_expression) and [sensitivity](/source/Sensory_processing_sensitivity)—traits traditionally associated with women—while maintaining their roles as soldiers, military bronies expand what it means to be masculine in military culture.[1]

In a 2022 study published in Polish journal *[Czas Kultury](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czas_Kultury)*, Anna Reglińska-Jemioł wrote that the presence of pony fans within military circles presents a genuine social and cognitive challenge to traditional military culture. Reglińska-Jemioł emphasized that military bronies do not completely reject existing [masculine norms](/source/Gender_norms) but rather seek to expand understanding of masculinity by questioning some expectations of traditionally male behaviors. She argued that military bronies aim to create space for activities that can be associated with masculinity while allowing themselves to experience non-masculine innocence through conversations about friendship, emotions, and sharing feelings.[16]

Kevin W. Martin of *[Pacific Standard](/source/Pacific_Standard)* called the military bronies phenomenon "a fascinating site of [negotiations of masculinity](/source/Hegemonic_masculinity#Hybrid_masculinity) in one of its strongest bastions." He also observed that "male military bronies at times suffer from the kind of stigma and bullying reserved for feminine men and, because they are also often assumed to be gay, [homophobia](/source/Homophobia)."[6]

## See also

- [Military culture](/source/Military_culture)

- [Hegemonic masculinity](/source/Hegemonic_masculinity)

- [The Wonderbolts](/source/The_Wonderbolts)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Amon-2016_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Amon-2016_1-1) Amon, Maria Patrice (2016). "Candy coloured ponies and pastel uniforms: Military Bronies and masculine innocence". *[Journal of Fandom Studies](/source/Journal_of_Fandom_Studies)*. **4** (1): 89–104. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1386/jfs.4.1.89_1](https://doi.org/10.1386%2Fjfs.4.1.89_1).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Winter-2012_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Winter-2012_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Winter-2012_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Winter-2012_2-3) Winter, Jana (July 18, 2012). ["Warhorse: The military's 'My Little Pony' fan club"](https://www.foxnews.com/us/warhorse-the-militarys-my-little-pony-fan-club). *[Fox News](/source/Fox_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181116181647/https://www.foxnews.com/us/warhorse-the-militarys-my-little-pony-fan-club) from the original on November 16, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Anderson-2012_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Anderson-2012_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Anderson-2012_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Anderson-2012_3-3) Anderson, Jon R. (August 30, 2012). ["Bronies in uniform — and proud of it"](http://www.navytimes.com/entertainment/tv/offduty-bronies-in-uniform-083012/). *[Navy Times](/source/Navy_Times)*. Retrieved August 1, 2025.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Roth-2012_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Roth-2012_4-1) Roth, Beth Ford (July 19, 2012). ["Military Lovers Of 'My Little Pony' Make Headlines"](https://www.kpbs.org/news/military/2012/07/19/military-lovers-my-little-pony-bronies). *[KPBS](/source/KPBS_(TV))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150723/https://www.kpbs.org/news/military/2012/07/19/military-lovers-my-little-pony-bronies) from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Prater-2013_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Prater-2013_5-1) Prater, Erin (July 15, 2013). ["Fort Carson Bronies combine childhood whimsy with military duty"](https://gazette.com/military/fort-carson-bronies-combine-childhood-whimsy-with-military-duty/article_95927f70-1bdd-543a-b90b-2c7064e9e65d.html). *[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Colorado_Springs))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201111205158/https://gazette.com/military/fort-carson-bronies-combine-childhood-whimsy-with-military-duty/article_95927f70-1bdd-543a-b90b-2c7064e9e65d.html) from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Martin-2015_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Martin-2015_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Martin-2015_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Martin-2015_6-3) Martin, Kevin W. (October 30, 2015). ["Masculinity, Marines, and My Little Pony"](https://psmag.com/social-justice/masculinity-marines-and-my-little-pony/). *[Pacific Standard](/source/Pacific_Standard)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170524204555/https://psmag.com/social-justice/masculinity-marines-and-my-little-pony) from the original on May 24, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gould-2012_7-0)** Gould, Joe (July 17, 2012). ["Military 'bronies' love their rifles and their My Little Pony"](http://outsidethewire.armytimes.com/2012/07/17/ponies-carved-into-the-buttstock-service-members-embrace-my-little-pony/). *[Army Times](/source/Army_Times)*. Retrieved August 1, 2025.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Burleson-2015_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Burleson-2015_8-1) Burleson, Anna (July 6, 2015). ["WATCH NOW: UND doctoral student studies Brony phenomenon"](https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/watch-now-und-doctoral-student-studies-brony-phenomenon). *[Grand Forks Herald](/source/Grand_Forks_Herald)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251021005150/https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/watch-now-und-doctoral-student-studies-brony-phenomenon) from the original on October 21, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Notopoulos, Katie (July 3, 2012). ["We Survived A Brony Convention"](https://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/we-survived-a-brony-convention). *[BuzzFeed News](/source/BuzzFeed_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120703033449/http://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/we-survived-a-brony-convention) from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Watercutter-2013_10-0)** Watercutter, Angela (August 5, 2013). ["Yes, There's an Air Force Class Flying With My Little Pony Patches"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140408181401/http://www.wired.com/2013/08/air-force-my-little-pony/). *[Wired](/source/Wired_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.wired.com/2013/08/air-force-my-little-pony/) on April 8, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Schogol-2013_11-0)** Schogol, Jeff (July 25, 2013). ["Trainees adopt 'My Little Pony' class patch"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241213000000/http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/). *[Military Times](/source/Military_Times)*. Archived from [the original](http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/) on December 13, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gault-2025_12-0)** Gault, Matthew (May 4, 2025). ["The Air Force Had a Brony Squadron"](https://www.trenchart.us/p/the-air-force-had-a-brony-squadron). *Trench Art*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250909201506/https://www.trenchart.us/p/the-air-force-had-a-brony-squadron) from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Secker-2020_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Secker-2020_13-1) Secker, Tom (April 19, 2020). ["Military Bronies' 'Opinions are Personal in Nature/Do Not Reflect Those of the USAF-DOD'"](https://www.spyculture.com/military-bronies-opinions-are-personal-in-nature-do-not-reflect-those-of-the-usaf-dod/). *Spy Culture*. Retrieved November 18, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Johnson, Robert (July 19, 2012). ["My Little Pony Has Invaded The US Military"](https://www.businessinsider.com/my-little-pony-has-invaded-the-military-at-bronycon-2012-7). *[Insider](/source/Insider_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120722000539/https://www.businessinsider.com/my-little-pony-has-invaded-the-military-at-bronycon-2012-7) from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-usatoday_fandom_15-0)** Truitt, Brian (November 26, 2012). ["'My Little Pony' plants a hoof in pop culture"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121127132251/http://usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/) from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Reglińska-Jemioł, Anna (2022). "O ponadkulturowym fenomenie serii My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (bronies i refiguracje męskości)" [On the Cross-cultural Phenomenon of the series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (bronies and refigurations of masculinity)]. *[Czas Kultury](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czas_Kultury)* (in Polish). **4**: 142–152.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Military bronies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_bronies) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_bronies?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.