Thought and Ideas

**Mair of the Tribe of Mar** · 17th October 08, 09:37 AM

Friends,

I am currently prospecting the idea of getting a new kilt, in actuality I am trying to convince the misses that I "need" (her quotations) a new kilt.

That being said, I have thought long and hard about getting one in the US Army Tartan. I currently have not served, my grandfather and his brothers all served in the army or navy and I would wear it to respect them, as well as all of our veterans. But, also, (with the miss' permission again) I am planning on enlisting as a Chaplains Assistant when I am done with school.

My question is...would it be disrespectful to purchase the kilt now, whereas I am not currently or have served in the army? I personally don't believe that there needs to be a connection to wear a tartan, just if you like it. As well though, in speaking of the specific tartans of the branches of the military, I would not want to afront them due to my high regard and respect for the service these men and women are doing for our country.

Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciatted.

Jason

**bawright** · 17th October 08, 09:44 AM

I gen agree that you can ware what you want, BUT, waite till you are in or have served for that one. just my opinion. baw

**KiltedBrewer** · 17th October 08, 10:14 AM

I think that wearing the US Army tartan to honor your grandfather and uncles is perfectly acceptable. As long as you do so respectfully, I don't see anything wrong with wearing the US Army tartan to honor those who served even if you don't have a relative who has done so. (I spent 5 years in the Army, if that lends any weight to my opinion.)

For what it's worth, I'd love to have a kilt in the US Navy tartan someday to honor my grandfather who served in WWII.

David

**Finn** · 17th October 08, 10:15 AM

It is a Universal tartan. Anyone can wear it.
I have one and am a vet. You'll be wearing it with respect and possibly with a direct connection.
Its okay.

**Highlander31** · 17th October 08, 10:29 AM

I am proud to say I was in the Army (back in the time when wearing the uniform was sure to cause someone to call you "Baby Killer".) I personally don't have a problem with someone wearing the U.S. Army tartan if it is worn with respect for those who have served.

**Woodsheal** · 17th October 08, 03:53 PM

I agree with the others. I'm an ex-Army officer; I own a kilt in that tartan - and you should, too!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 17th October 08, 08:33 PM

I have voiced my contrarian opinion on this and similar topics before, and will voice it once again here. In my opinion US military tartans, whether or not they have any official status with the various branches of service, should be regarded in the same way one regards a club tie in the UK. If you aren't a member of the club it is bad form to wear the tie and give the casual observer the impression that you are in some way entitled to do so.

Wearing the US Army tartan (or that of any other branch of service) gives the casual observer the impression that you are, or have served, in the Army. With a simple glance they can't tell that you are doing this to honour someone who has served. They cannot tell if your motive is honorable or venal. They are just left with the impression, false as it is, that you have served in the military of your country. Despite you best intentions you have unwittingly mis-led someone into believing that you are a soldier.

I know that there are others on this forum, many of them serving or former serving members of the armed forces of the United States, who hold with the populist view that anyone can wear whatever they want. Certainly, they are entitled to their point of view. Just as certainly they will argue that they have great respect for the military and those who serve in it, and I would not call into question that they do respect the military and what it stands for.

What I would question is how they show that respect.

I have profound respect for the United States Marine Corps. So much so, that I would never for an instant want to give the impression that I had served as a Marine. That, in my opinion, would be akin to stealing a portion of that honour which belongs only to those who have served in the Corps. For that reason I would never wear a Leather Neck tartan kilt. I believe that honour applies only to those who have served. The same would apply to the tartan of any of the various branches of the United States armed forces.

In my opinion only those who have served should have the honour of wearing their branch of service tartan.

You, of course, may do as you please.

**Woot22** · 17th October 08, 08:59 PM

Just a little background, I served 8 years in the Army and still work as a civilian contractor for the Army. My opinion on the matter is that if I saw someone wearing the US Army tartan and found out that they never served in the Army but were just wearing it out of respect it would not bother me in the least. I personally would not wear a military tartan if I did not serve in that particular branch but again it would not offend me in anyway if you chose to do so. I would avoid wearing the "Leatherneck" tartan though as most Marines I have met are hyper sensitive about anything jarhead related.

**Joe Gondek** · 17th October 08, 09:03 PM

In my opinion only those who have served should have the honour of wearing their branch of service tartan.

I tend to agree with MacMillan of Rathdown
having spent my time in Vietnam with the Army Infantry I think that the Military tartans are for those who have served.

there are many other tartans from which to chose

**Highland Logan** · 17th October 08, 09:56 PM

I too agree with M of R. I wear my regimental tie on dressed up occasions, and if I came across someone with it on and they did not serve in the RCA, I wouldn't beat them but they would get a tongue lashing. And this "I am hourning you" selfish crap (selfish, yes because they made up a reason to wear a tie with a pattern they liked) would not fly. If people want to honor a solider, get your MP (or equivalent) to support the military more, wear a poppy on Remembrance Day, read some history books.. but for CS get your own stuff and leave ours alone. It might look great with your planned outfit, but you didn't earn it, and it's not yours. Now people always come on here to ask the opinion of the serving and former military members; but does anyone really believe that one person can speak for a whole group of past and present soldiers? Just because one bloke says "sure I'd be hourned" does not mean the rest would see it that way. So some ex-gunner says that Bill Bloggins can wear an Arty tie... so that makes it okay or exceptable to the rest of us gunners? I don't think so.

Frank Logan