Rank Insignia Pins on Flashes

[Chas]

Just because there are no binding rules doesn't mean that an honest question shouldn't get an honest answer. I'm worried that XMarks advice often defaults to "go for it!" or "you wear it well!" when what the questioner needs to hear is "bad idea."

These are the wisest words I have read on XMarks in many a long year. I cannot speak for others, but I know that I am often crippled with "If you can't say anything nice, best say nothing at all." syndrome. Too often we spend our money on expensive accessories, when we should be buying a full length mirror.

[BCAC]

Right, we get it... But if a guy asks if he should wear a fried egg around on his head, I'm going to tell him that it will look ridiculous.

Just because there are no binding rules doesn't mean that an honest question shouldn't get an honest answer. I'm worried that XMarks advice often defaults to "go for it!" or "you wear it well!" when what the questioner needs to hear is "bad idea."

Well said! Hear, hear! I'm sorry I didn't post this myself for fear of being jumped on by certain members and I'm sorry that I can only hit "Aye" once!

[KD Burke]

Right, we get it... But if a guy asks if he should wear a fried egg around on his head, I'm going to tell him that it will look ridiculous.

Some time ago, Jock Scot explained his method of shaping a Balmoral bonnet. Since that time such treatment has been known as "jocking."

I believe that the wisdom of David's post is such that we should honor it in similar fashion. I propose that we add "Fried Egg" to the XMarks lexicon, meaning "a really bad idea."
An example of such use might be:

Q: "I want to wear my jugo gi with my kilt to honor my sensei's brother's girlfriend's birthday. Should I use a white belt or tartan?"
A: "I'm afraid that particular combination might be perceived as a bit of a Fried Egg!"

[Geoff Withnell]

Too often we spend our money on expensive accessories, when we should be buying a full length mirror.

I resemble that remark!

[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,

[BCAC]

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]

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.

[Leatherneck Donald]

I think, in retrospect, my real question should have been about where to wear pins of any sort when kilted up. Frankly, the question got clouded by folks concentrating on the fact I was asking about rank insignia specifically and I should not have asked it that specifically. The opinions of civilians and non-Marine veterans really don't matter in matters of my beloved Corps.

But to what my real question should have been, where DOES one wear pins when kilted? TGIF waiters wear their "flair" on their braces. At my VFW post, everyone has their fore & aft cover covered in pins. Hikers stick pins on their hiking staffs. I have a friend who wears a couple of pins on the ribbons of his Glen Garry when he is in his kilt. That won't work for me because I'm married and my ribbons on my Balmoral are tied into a bow. I'm not looking to wear a butt load of pins marking every event in my life, but where is a good place to wear one or two that mean something special?

I'm pretty sure the general consensus is NOT on the hose flashes

[Tobus]

Well, if you're asking about traditional Highland protocols when wearing the kilt, then the answer is pretty simple. Aside from a clan badge on a bonnet, or a kilt pin on the apron of your kilt, there isn't much of a tradition of wearing random pins with Highland attire. I would say the lapel of the jacket is the correct place if you feel the need to wear a pin. But other than that, if you're trying to tack a non-traditional accessory onto a traditional outfit, then you're going to have to break the 'rules'.

But if you're not interested in being traditional, then wear the pin wherever you please. There really aren't any rules on this, other than the rules of good taste. Just remember that pins are the sartorial equivalent of bumper stickers. Which is to say that some people see them as tacky, especially when they're over-used. Others seem to use them for personal flair or to advertise details about their lives to others who don't really care.

[KSmedic]

Maybe wear a pin or two on the Balmoral itself? I'm thinking that a single pin, positioned similarly to a beret flash, might be the way to go. More than that, and you might want to drop down to the band, or go with lapel wear.