{{Short description|Military fans of My Little Pony}} {{Use American English|date=October 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} [[File:Bronies in Uniform - 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Military veteran, and non-veteran, fans of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'', posing for a group photo after the panel "Bronies in Uniform" at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018.]] The [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' fandom]] includes active-duty, retired, and prospective [[military service]] members, commonly referred to as '''military bronies'''. This fandom [[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]] members of the fandom.
Academics have analyzed the military bronies subculture as a challenge to [[masculinity|traditional masculinity]] within [[military culture]].
== Overview == [[File:Bronies in Uniform - 3.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|[[Lieutenant commander|LCDR]] Ted Visser, [[TSgt]] Christine Sparks, [[Sergeant|Sgt]] Dylan Main, [[Corporal|Cpl]] Zac Caruthers, [[Specialist (rank)|SPC]] Jan P. Ducos, and [[LCpl]] Lyle Gilpatrick speak about their experience of being a brony and a service member in the [[United States Armed Forces]].]] {{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic sidebar}} According to a 2016 study published in the ''[[Journal of Fandom Studies]]'', military bronies represent an estimated 4–5% of the overall brony population and are largely an Internet-based community.<ref name="Amon-2016">{{cite journal |last=Amon |first=Maria Patrice |title=Candy coloured ponies and pastel uniforms: Military Bronies and masculine innocence |journal=[[Journal of Fandom Studies]] |volume=4 |issue=1 |year=2016 |pages=89–104 |doi=10.1386/jfs.4.1.89_1}}</ref> The military bronies [[Facebook page]], which was created in 2012, had accumulated more than 2,600 members by the end of that year.<ref name="Winter-2012">{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Jana |title=Warhorse: The military's 'My Little Pony' fan club |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/warhorse-the-militarys-my-little-pony-fan-club |website=[[Fox News]] |date=2012-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116181647/https://www.foxnews.com/us/warhorse-the-militarys-my-little-pony-fan-club|archive-date=2018-11-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Anderson-2012">{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jon R. |title=Bronies in uniform — and proud of it |url=http://www.navytimes.com/entertainment/tv/offduty-bronies-in-uniform-083012/ |website=[[Navy Times]] |date=2012-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129160148/http://www.navytimes.com/entertainment/tv/offduty-bronies-in-uniform-083012/ |archive-date=2013-01-29}}</ref><ref name="Roth-2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/military/2012/07/19/military-lovers-my-little-pony-bronies|title=Military Lovers Of 'My Little Pony' Make Headlines|website=[[KPBS (TV)|KPBS]]|first=Beth Ford|last=Roth|date=2012-07-19|access-date=2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150723/https://www.kpbs.org/news/military/2012/07/19/military-lovers-my-little-pony-bronies|archive-date=2023-09-21|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2013, the page had over 8,000 members;<ref name="Prater-2013"/> by 2015, it had over 10,000.<ref name="Martin-2015">{{cite web|url=https://psmag.com/social-justice/masculinity-marines-and-my-little-pony/|title=Masculinity, Marines, and My Little Pony|first=Kevin W.|last=Martin|website=[[Pacific Standard]]|date=2015-10-30|access-date=2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524204555/https://psmag.com/social-justice/masculinity-marines-and-my-little-pony|archive-date=2017-05-24|url-status=live}}</ref> Military bronies also established [[Online communities of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|dedicated websites and forums]] where members could display custom-made patches and discuss the show and fandom.<ref name="Winter-2012"/><ref name="Gould-2012">{{cite news |last=Gould |first=Joe |title=Military 'bronies' love their rifles and their My Little Pony |url=http://outsidethewire.armytimes.com/2012/07/17/ponies-carved-into-the-buttstock-service-members-embrace-my-little-pony/ |website=[[Army Times]] |date=2012-07-17 |access-date=2025-08-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220717160538/http://outsidethewire.armytimes.com/2012/07/17/ponies-carved-into-the-buttstock-service-members-embrace-my-little-pony/ |archive-date=2022-07-17}}</ref>
Military bronies consist of service members from all military branches, though according to ''[[Pacific Standard]]'', "there is a perception among them that [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] are the majority."<ref name="Martin-2015"/> Some enlisted personnel have connected their military service to their appreciation of the show's themes.<ref name="Burleson-2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/watch-now-und-doctoral-student-studies-brony-phenomenon|title=WATCH NOW: UND doctoral student studies Brony phenomenon|first=Anna|last=Burleson|date=2015-07-06|access-date=2025-10-21|website=[[Grand Forks Herald]]|archive-date=2025-10-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021005150/https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/watch-now-und-doctoral-student-studies-brony-phenomenon}}</ref><ref name="Anderson-2012"/> For example, military bronies have drawn parallels between the [[Elements of Harmony]] and the [[United States Army]]'s core values, known by the acronym [[LDRSHIP]] (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage).<ref name="Martin-2015"/><ref name="Burleson-2015"/>
At [[BronyCon]] 2012, military bronies received special recognition with a military-only lunch featuring voice actress [[Tara Strong]], who voiced show protagonist [[Twilight Sparkle]]. Civilian bronies cheered when they spotted military personnel in uniform, with one [[National Guard (United States)|National Guardsman]] recalling: "We barely made it up to the top steps and everyone outside was cheering for us."<ref name="Winter-2012"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/we-survived-a-brony-convention|title=We Survived A Brony Convention|first=Katie|last=Notopoulos|website=[[BuzzFeed News]]|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703033449/http://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/we-survived-a-brony-convention|archive-date=2012-07-03|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Anderson-2012"/>
In 2013, Joint Undergraduate Specialized Pilot Class 14–05 at [[Vance Air Force Base]] wore "My Little Pilot" patches during training. According to [[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."<ref name="Watercutter-2013">{{cite magazine |last=Watercutter |first=Angela |title=Yes, There's an Air Force Class Flying With My Little Pony Patches |url=http://www.wired.com/2013/08/air-force-my-little-pony/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=2013-08-05 |access-date=2025-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408181401/http://www.wired.com/2013/08/air-force-my-little-pony/ |archive-date=2014-04-08}}</ref><ref name="Schogol-2013">{{cite news |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |title=Trainees adopt 'My Little Pony' class patch |url=http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/ |website=[[Military Times]] |date=2013-07-25 |access-date=2025-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213000000/http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/ |archive-date=2024-12-13}}</ref><ref name="Gault-2025">{{cite news |last=Gault |first=Matthew |title=The Air Force Had a Brony Squadron |url=https://www.trenchart.us/p/the-air-force-had-a-brony-squadron |website=Trench Art |date=2025-05-04|access-date=2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909201506/https://www.trenchart.us/p/the-air-force-had-a-brony-squadron|archive-date=2025-09-09|url-status=live}}</ref>
At [[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 [[Military psychiatry|mental health challenges in the military]] and [[United States military veteran suicide|veteran suicide rates]].<ref name="Secker-2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.spyculture.com/military-bronies-opinions-are-personal-in-nature-do-not-reflect-those-of-the-usaf-dod/|title=Military Bronies' 'Opinions are Personal in Nature/Do Not Reflect Those of the USAF-DOD'|website=Spy Culture|date=2020-04-19|access-date=2025-11-18|first=Tom|last=Secker}}</ref>
== Reception == [[File:Star Spangler The AMERICAN Pony.png|thumb|right|upright=1.1|[[Art of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|Fan art]] of a [[ponification]] of the [[United States]]]] In July 2012, some critics raised concerns about uniform violations after it was reported that some military bronies were displaying [[cutie mark]] patches on their uniforms at BronyCon 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/my-little-pony-has-invaded-the-military-at-bronycon-2012-7|title=My Little Pony Has Invaded The US Military|first=Robert|last=Johnson|website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]|date=2012-07-19|access-date=2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722000539/https://www.businessinsider.com/my-little-pony-has-invaded-the-military-at-bronycon-2012-7|archive-date=2012-07-22|url-status=live}}</ref> A ''[[Military Times]]'' commenter identified potential violations of wearing uniforms at unauthorized events and displaying non-sanctioned patches. In response to the incident, a [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]] spokeswoman stated that "non-authorized, non-military patches are not authorized for wear on military uniforms."<ref name="Winter-2012"/> 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!"<ref name="Roth-2012"/>
Some critics have questioned the appropriateness of adult military personnel watching a children's show. One active-duty [[United States Army]] serviceman responded: "I am Active Duty Army, I possess a [[United States security clearance#Top Secret|Top Secret security clearance]] 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]]." A [[U.S. Air Force]] pilot stated: "I like [[Metallica]], the [[Phillies]], [[Sam Adams]], ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'', [[Maxim (magazine)|''Maxim'' magazine]], ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', ''[[Jackass (franchise)|Jackass]]'', and ''[[My Little Pony]]''. As [[Rainbow Dash]] would say: deal with it." One Air Force [[meteorologist]] wrote about his public expression as a brony by wearing fandom [[T-shirts]]: "I was apprehensive about the response I would get because military guys tend to be raw and [[macho]]. But I'm surprised at how many nerdy guys I keep meeting in the Air Force."<ref name="Anderson-2012"/>
''[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]]'' reported that a mutual friend of two military bronies who became [[depression (mood)|depressed]] and [[suicidal]] after losing a friend in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] found comfort and healing by discovering and watching ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]''.<ref name="Prater-2013">{{cite web|url=https://gazette.com/military/fort-carson-bronies-combine-childhood-whimsy-with-military-duty/article_95927f70-1bdd-543a-b90b-2c7064e9e65d.html|title=Fort Carson Bronies combine childhood whimsy with military duty|first=Erin|last=Prater|date=2013-07-15|access-date=2025-08-01|website=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]]|archive-url=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|archive-date=2020-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, [[Margaret Loesch]], the then-[[CEO]] and President of [[Discovery Family#As Hub Network (2010–2014)|The Hub]] (the television channel where ''Friendship Is Magic'' aired), noted from an email from a group of United States enlisted personnel in [[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."<ref name="usatoday fandom">{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/ | title = 'My Little Pony' plants a hoof in pop culture | work = [[USA Today]] | first = Brian | last = Truitt | date = 2012-11-26 | access-date = 2025-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127132251/http://usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/|archive-date=2012-11-27|url-status=live }}</ref>
Some military bronies have also [[Analysis_of_the_My_Little_Pony:_Friendship_Is_Magic_fandom#Discrimination_and_anti-fandom_("anti-bronies")|reported experiencing bullying and harassment]] from fellow service members. At the 2018 Comic-Con panel, Navy [[Lieutenant commander|LCDR]] 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.<ref name="Secker-2020"/>
== Analysis == In a 2016 study published in the ''[[Journal of Fandom Studies]]'', Maria Patrice Amon conducted [[ethnographic study|ethnographic research]] on military bronies through [[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]] because their military service gives them secure masculine credentials, which allows them to openly enjoy a show designed for young girls without losing their [[gender identity|masculine identity]]. According to Amon, by [[emotional expression|expressing emotions]] and [[Sensory processing sensitivity|sensitivity]]—traits traditionally associated with women—while maintaining their roles as soldiers, military bronies expand what it means to be masculine in military culture.<ref name="Amon-2016"/>
In a 2022 study published in Polish journal ''[[:pl:Czas Kultury|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 [[gender norms|masculine 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.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Reglińska-Jemioł |first=Anna |title=O ponadkulturowym fenomenie serii My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (bronies i refiguracje męskości) |journal=[[:pl:Czas Kultury|Czas Kultury]] |volume=4 |year=2022 |pages=142–152 |language=pl |trans-title=On the Cross-cultural Phenomenon of the series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (bronies and refigurations of masculinity)}}</ref>
Kevin W. Martin of ''[[Pacific Standard]]'' called the military bronies phenomenon "a fascinating site of [[Hegemonic masculinity#Hybrid masculinity|negotiations of 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]]."<ref name="Martin-2015"/>
== See also == * [[Military culture]] * [[Hegemonic masculinity]] * [[The Wonderbolts]]
== References == {{reflist}}
[[Category:Brony fandom]] [[Category:Military culture]] [[Category:Subcultures]] [[Category:United States Army]]