More often plate carriers and body armor, mag holders and other “operator” gear than just military syyle vests. “tacticool” is the ironic label given to overtly “tactical” gear.

> seems like a signal

Also “mil-spec”, and in a totally different context i.e. big box retail, “contractor grade”.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_grade

During the pandemic, I was wondering why I never saw "military grade" or "tactical" masks.

I guess not enough of an overlap between anyone anti-mask and any convenient promotional memes.