For formal wear dirk and belt vs waistcoat

[flyrod6057]

Interesting. I didn't have my own sword, back in the day. Some that did, indeed do wear their swords. More among officers than NCOs like myself, but some NCOs do wear their swords. I am comfortable wearing a sword, as I spent two years in a Reserve Training Detachment, and we had the collateral duty of being the ceremonial unit for our area. So when Marine Color Guards were needed, parades, funerals, etc, we were tasked with the duty, and I frequently carried a sword as Color Guard commander. I like wearing a sword. I was in a saber drill team in college. But for a ball, unless you are part of the ceremony, you arrive with it, check it, and pick it up again when you leave. Another consideration is that, being under arms, I would have to remain covered, which would also be a pain.

Something to consider: wearing the Marine NCO sword is properly reserved for someone who will be commanding troops. While all Marine NCOs "rate" the sword, only the guy out front of the formation should be wearing one. The only exception I know of is when the "staff" are to pass in review, they also wear swords.

Now...having said all that....

I agree with the previous posters that wearing the dirk isn't a great idea at the ball. Some overzealous Sergeant Major might decide it's something you shouldn't be wearing! More likely, no one will even notice. Still, unless you're sporting a regulation doublet (a nearly identical cut to a Marine dress blues coat) or the like, a dirk doesn't really fit the theme. Would you wear a dirk with a blazer?? Doubtful. I would personally forego the dirk. Just my two cents.

Have a blast!

Semper Fidelis,
Brad Flanagan
Gunnery Sergeant
USMC (Ret.)

[Geoff Withnell]

Gunny, you are of course absolutely correct.

As far as having a blast, the Cryppies (Marine Crytologic Support Battalion) who are the hosts of the Ball I'm going to, throw one heckofa party. I did love the invocation by the Ft Meade Naval Chaplain last year. Said all the right words, fallen comrades, traditions, etc. Concluded with "And may G-d always give us the strength to do our duty - and right now our duty is to celebrate! Amen!

Something to consider: wearing the Marine NCO sword is properly reserved for someone who will be commanding troops. While all Marine NCOs "rate" the sword, only the guy out front of the formation should be wearing one. The only exception I know of is when the "staff" are to pass in review, they also wear swords.

Now...having said all that....

I agree with the previous posters that wearing the dirk isn't a great idea at the ball. Some overzealous Sergeant Major might decide it's something you shouldn't be wearing! More likely, no one will even notice. Still, unless you're sporting a regulation doublet (a nearly identical cut to a Marine dress blues coat) or the like, a dirk doesn't really fit the theme. Would you wear a dirk with a blazer?? Doubtful. I would personally forego the dirk. Just my two cents.

Have a blast!

Semper Fidelis,
Brad Flanagan
Gunnery Sergeant
USMC (Ret.)

[OC Richard]

Well I'm just a civilian, but still I like to "dress the part" when I'm hired to perform at any sort of function, and when I've been hired to pipe at military functions (weddings/balls/etc) where the men are in Dress uniform wearing swords, I tend to do the same. Is it "correct"? I don't know.

BTW a dirk belt isn't necessary when wearing a dirk, and there is military precedent: in the Highland Battalions, officers would wear Blue Patrol Dress, and at times would wear a dirk. This dirk was worn without belt, the dirk hanger going through a slot in the side of the Blue Patrol tunic and suspended from within.

On many occasions (many years ago, not recently) I have worn a dirk while piping at formal events while wearing a Prince Charlie, and I hung the dirk either from the belt of the Belted Plaid (often known by the misnomer "drummers' plaid") or from the strap on the kilt itself. Not "proper" I am sure, but it allows the dirk to more or less appear from under the waistcoat making a dirk belt unnecessary.