Leatherneck Tartan Question...

[Ian.MacAllan]

Well, that's better than General Eisenhower's dismissal of the Marines as "the Navy's police force." . . .

Eisenhower had quite a long career in the Army and spent most of WWII in the Mediterranean and the European theaters. I don't recall at what point in his career he made that statement but I hope he'd not have been so callous if he'd been aware of what the USMC did in the Pacific theater. Unless, of course, he was jealous. Some soldiers are jealous of the respect and renown the Marines have earned.

I intend eventually to buy and wear the USMC tartan, not because I was ever a Marine but because I have great respect and gratitude for what the Corps does in defense of our liberty. Probably the most important lesson I learned as a one-hitch RA was that I am profoundly ill-suited to the critically important work that the armed forces do, and therefore am deeply in the debt of the people who do it.


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[kiltedsawyer]

Gentlemen,
This is an old thread, and I'm glad to see it's resurgence. I can think of no finer way of honoring our military than to wear the tartans of the branches in which we or our fathers have served. Personally, although I am a civiliam employee of the U.S. Navy, I can not imagine wearing one of the "fashion" tartans assigned to the brave young men and women of our armed forces. My father served in the Army, but still as I work with so many veterans, I could not begin to wear anything that might suggest that I was part of so noble an enterprise when in fact, I have not been. I am in awe of the sacrifice that these men and women have made and are making for the freedoms I enjoy. As always, wear what you feel comfortable in, but for me, I simply could not wear one of the military tartans, as the meaning is simply too great. To those who have faithfully served, you have my admiration, thanks, and respect, wear those tartans proudly, and tell the next generation, what it means to be a patriot.
Very respectfully,
David

[Bill Jenkins]

I want a Leatherneck Tartan Sport kilt. I am NOT a Marine, nor have I ever served as one (I was Army). My Father, however is a retired Marine.


Would it be appropriate for me to wear the Leatherneck tartan to honor my father's service as well as the young Marines I know (family friends whom I've known since they were wee ones...)who are serving currently in the sandbox?

Hi

I am a 73 year old ex Royal Marine Commando and wear my kilt with pride. I am an Englishman with a Welsh name and at times am asked "Why do you wear the kilt" and my reply is I'd get arrested if I did'nt. As for wearing a kilt in honour of your father _ DO IT. I played my pipes in the sandbox in 2003. I was proud to stand on the border post when the Leathernecks passed.

[thescot]

I am a Marine, and I would have no qualms with you wearing it anymore than I would object to your wearing a tee shirt with the EGA on it. It's all about pride in the Corps I think, so wear it with pride.

And if your grandfather is still alive, be sure to tell him why you chose the Leatherneck tartan. I know the guy who designed that particular tartan, and he didn't design it for profit; in fact, he passed on copyrighting it (or whatever you do with tartans) and made it available to everyone free of charge.

Semper fi.

Semper fi.

[pdcorlis]

I discovered this site while checking on the Leatherneck Tartan. I am the Bob Hall who started the project, and designed the Leatherneck Tartan, with input from Rory MacLeod of the STS. The writer who said I had not made a dime off it is correct--but I have spent quite a few on the project. I put the project in hand to give Marines and Marine supporters a way to honor the Corps at Scottish functions.

I have absolutely no objection to family members and friends of Marines wearing the tartan to honor them. I would object if a wannabe was holding himself out as a Marine and had never served.

The tartan is also open to Navy personnel, such as our beloved Corpsmen, who served with Marines.

Robert A. Hall, FSA Scot, CAE
tartanmarine@charter.net

Is this an amazing place or what... Welcome sir - and thanks for the history lesson Matt!!!

[dpseadvr]

thescot...I am glad you state you are a Marine I was reading the posts and there are a lot of people saying they are ex or former Marines? didn't think there was such a thing once a Marine always a Marine correct?
Anyway my 2cents you should wear what ever AF tartan you want to honor those that laydown their lives for you everyday.
Chase since you are greenside FMF you should have both Navy and Corp, have one of the kilt makers make you a half and half
HMC/DV
HOOYA

[12stones]

thescot...I am glad you state you are a Marine I was reading the posts and there are a lot of people saying they are ex or former Marines? didn't think there was such a thing once a Marine always a Marine correct?

That's one of my pet peeves too. I've got a guy at work who keeps talking about his pal who he says is a "former Marine." He won't listen to me because he says his pal, calls himself the same.

[emolas]

Cool. In my unit, we considered the Corpsman more Marines than sailors. Of course, I was a parachute rigger so whether it was on the drop zone or in the party hotspots, the docs always had my back.

Wow, a fellow PR!

[12stones]

Wow, a fellow PR!

Nice!! First one I've run across on the internet!

[cacunn]

If you did not serve in the military and feel uncomfortable in one of these tartans. Consider wearing the kilt and use a yellow ribbon as the kilt pin. This would be an clear indication of your support of those service members who's tartan you are wearing.

I spent time in the Army artillery in the northern AO in South Vietnam. I had a lot of faith in the Army units in the area that provided support to us, but, I felt very comforted by the fact that this was the Marine AO. The Marines knew that we would do anything to provide them fire support when and where they needed it. I can see the Marine tartan on my list of must haves.

Thanks to all you have served.