Rank Insignia Pins on Flashes

**Leatherneck Donald** · 18th May 14, 12:39 PM

I'm not sure. I feel like I ought to display my old rank somewhere since I am in a military tartan. Not on my collar, though

**davidlpope** · 18th May 14, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Leatherneck Donald

I'm not sure. I feel like I ought to display my old rank somewhere since I am in a military tartan. Not on my collar, though

I'm a Marine. What I like about being a Marine is that the focus is on being a Marine- not an Marine officer, not a Marine grunt, not a Marine pilot, not a Marine sniper- simply being a Marine.

If you are wearing the Leatherneck tartan you are communicating to the world that you are a Marine. That should be enough, in my mind...

**Leatherneck Donald** · 18th May 14, 01:08 PM

Interesting thought, David. Makes me think.

**Cardinal** · 18th May 14, 01:36 PM

I agree with David on this. It's almost un-American, but less really is more!

Add to that the dozens of phonies out there, and I am disinclined to put any memento of my three decades of military service on to my civilian clothes, Scottish or otherwise. Maybe my medals mounted on a single row for formal events, but that will likely be all. I'm very proud of what I've done, but I can wait until I know you before I tell you about it.

Opinion is of course divided. Here on Fort Bragg, many of the younger paratroopers see fit to plaster their entire life story on their pickup trucks in stickers, and you'll see the same sort at Scottish events here in the US.

Consider staying incognito until you've been to a few events and had a chance to see which style most appeals to you.

And welcome to the kilted rabble, Marine! I celebrated the USMC Birthday with the 1st Marine Regiment in 2004, and I am very proud to have served with them. Every bit as good as my own paratroopers, from the colonel commanding on down.

Cordially,
Patrick

ADDITION: I see from your profile that you have more time in a kilt than I do. Do as you like--we don't tell each other how they may dress--it is a free form of clothing oneself. But I suspect that there is a reason you haven't seen this done before.

**Chas** · 18th May 14, 02:13 PM

Wear a miniature as a kilt pin.

**Leatherneck Donald** · 18th May 14, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

Wear a miniature as a kilt pin.

The rank pins are pretty small, less than an inch across. For several years, I wore a red flash pinned to the apron with a rank pin, but I went back to wearing my Clan Donald (family connection) kilt pin. At some point, I'd like to have a kilt pin made like my Balmoral crest (Semper Fidelis written on the circle belt), and holes in place for a person to add their own rank insignia.

For the time being, I think I am seeing that nobody wears any kind of pins on the flashes, so I think I will forgo them.

Thanks to all for the input!

**LANCER1562** · 18th May 14, 03:25 PM

A member of my church is a Marine Lt. Colonel. He wears an officer's EGA as a kilt pin but never wears any rank insignia.

**creagdhubh** · 20th May 14, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

I'm a Marine. What I like about being a Marine is that the focus is on being a Marine- not an Marine officer, not a Marine grunt, not a Marine pilot, not a Marine sniper- simply being a Marine.

If you are wearing the Leatherneck tartan you are communicating to the world that you are a Marine. That should be enough, in my mind...

I am a Marine as well. A former active-duty Marine NCO (Sergeant). I would strongly advise against wearing any type of USMC rank insignia with your Highland Dress. As David said, and I agree with him, the Leatherneck tartan is enough.

S/F,

**BCAC** · 20th May 14, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I am a Marine as well. A former active-duty Marine NCO (Sergeant). I would strongly advise against wearing any type of USMC rank insignia with your Highland Dress. As David said, and I agree with him, the Leatherneck tartan is enough.

S/F,

Imagine what fun we could all have with that!

Having succesively served in different ranks in the RAF, British Army and FFL, I would have quite a choice!

**Benning Boy** · 20th May 14, 11:11 AM

I know Marines consider themselves superior to all, but wearing US Army insignia in a mix with civilian clothing would be a no-no. Although, back in the VN days, it was fairly common, where Army vets gathered in numbers, to see a mix, it was an act of rebellion, but I've not noticed it more recently, and would consider it in poor taste. Although, I might wear a very old set of Infantry crossed rifles, Krags, as a kilt pin. They haven't been an authorized item of uniform in many, many decades.