Rank Insignia Pins on Flashes

[davidlpope]

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]

Interesting thought, David. Makes me think.

[Cardinal]

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]

Wear a miniature as a kilt pin.

[Leatherneck Donald]

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]

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.

[KSmedic]

My kilt pin is an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor over a claymore that I got from Sport Kilt, of all places. I suppose there's no reason not to wear rank insignia on flashes, but as has been stated before, I've never seen a pin of any kind on flashes. Personally, I don't have my former rank insignia (Corporal.) as any kind of jewelry. If I wear anything, it's either the EGA, or a miniature of the Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon as a lapel pin.

[Riverkilt]

Be yourself cousin. Sounds like a fine ideas. Ignore the naysayers....what is important is what you like. There aren't any rules - don't let others make up your rules. Wear them with pride.

[tundramanq]

I use my silver E6 US Navy eagle and chevrons ball cap device as a kilt pin. Never any odd looks or negative comments.

[creagdhubh]

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,