Balmorals and Glengarrys

**longhuntr74** · 18th August 09, 10:43 AM

COL MacNeal just asked a question about black and red diced Glengarrys...it got me to thinking...

I have seen Glengarry caps and Balmoral Bonnets on the Scottish Tartans Museum Giftshop site in Airborne Maroon, SF Green, Ranger Tan, Black, and Navy. It's kind of a novel concept I think and definitely targeted towards us military types.

How many of you own or wear one with your kilt? I know that it's common on these hats to wear your clan crest, etc....but what if you don't have one? Do any of you wear rank, Airborne wings, regimental crests, etc? I'm curious on your thoughts?

I know this is potentially opening up a can of worms and a debate about how military insignia should only be worn on the uniform, etc. I would ask up front that it not get into a debate about proper or improper according to regulations. Please limit your feedback to what you do or have seen done.

Thanks!

**davedove** · 18th August 09, 10:45 AM

I've got one of the green ones that I tend to wear with my Army tartan kilt. I also have a clan crest badge with the Army crest that I wear on the balmoral.

**Jock Scot** · 18th August 09, 11:07 AM

From a Scots point of view, on Scots CIVILIAN attire, I would respectfully suggest that military insignia should not be worn on your bonnet.

**The Guy in the Kilt at UC** · 18th August 09, 11:13 AM

I have a red & white diced balmoral. I may put a clan crest on there someday.

**Chas** · 18th August 09, 02:46 PM

I wear a black Balmoral with my RAF cap badge. Once I get a clan crest badge, I will change it.

Regards

Chas

**McMurdo** · 18th August 09, 02:52 PM

I've got a Blue Balmoral with the XMarkstheScot.com badge on it

I would also suggest not wearing military insignia with civilian attire.

**BoldHighlander** · 18th August 09, 03:04 PM

Though I have seen a handful of S.A.M.S. members wearing military insignia on the opposite side of their glengarrys, and one who wears his old airborne beret w/ unit crest in lieu of a balmoral; I have a couple of balmorals (one bottle green, & one black) & I do not wear any insignia upon either, other than my clan badge, or in the case of my O'More bonnet (the bottle green one) a very small County Antrim pin next to my clan badge.

I have however worn my old unit crest badge upon my clan ballcap (along with a handful of other, non-military, pins).

**KD Burke** · 18th August 09, 06:30 PM

As a former military officer, I've frequently noted military badges, insignia, etc. being "sported" on civilian attire.

As an expession of free speech, I'll support to the death those who choose to do so. I do not so choose.

To me, the uniform is equivalent to a clerics vestments. An outward signifier of a higher calling. When I left the Navy I chose, quite consciously, to proudly display veterans emblems. I do not wear uniform items. Ever.

I proudly served my country. I am proud to be a veteran of the armed forces of the United States. I do not choose to display the emblems of that service on civilian attire alongside those ignorant of true service who wear them because they are "cool."

So....If you choose to wear your insignia. Fine. Just observe whose company you seem to be in.

In my experience, the ones who have "been there and done that" display the fact most often in their demeanor and bearing. No additional symbology is needed.

**fortcollinsjerry** · 27th August 09, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by KD Burke

I do not wear uniform items. Ever.

I proudly served my country. I am proud to be a veteran of the armed forces of the United States. I do not choose to display the emblems of that service on civilian attire alongside those ignorant of true service who wear them because they are "cool."

So....If you choose to wear your insignia. Fine. Just observe whose company you seem to be in.

In my experience, the ones who have "been there and done that" display the fact most often in their demeanor and bearing. No additional symbology is needed.

Generally I would agree with your point of view and personal choices. I also am a career military retiree, however, there are acitvities and social occasions when wearing "some" uniform items is appropriate. Such as wearing a rack mineature awards at the USMC birthday ball, a Robert Burns dinner, and there are others. IMHO, it is entirly a bad form to wear anything except clan badges on scottish head gear

I just returned from a long vacation in Scotland and on more than one occasion I spotted kilted Gentlemen wearing a single row of military medals over the breast pocket of a black argyle. This was evening wear, so, under the right conditions it is entirly OK to wear them.