Military tartans

[Barb T]

Hi folks

In the Newbie section, we got into a discussion yesterday about military tartans and whether you had to prove that you were a member of the specific service in order to wear the tartan. Thought this might be of interest to some of you who had not been part of that thread, so I thought I'd unbury the topic and put it here.

I did some checking about various things that phil h, cajunscot, colin, and I all thought, and here's what I learned:

-All of the US military tartans are currently unofficial.
-The RCAF tartan is an official tartan.
-There are no restrictions on either the use or wearing of any of the US military tartans or of the RCAF tartan.

If you're interested in tartan yardage for the military tartans, Strathmore carries them (http://www.tartanbystrathmore.co.uk/Pages/finder.html) in 11 oz and 13 oz. The 13 oz weight has a kilting selvedge. The 11 oz. fabric is really too light to make a good kilt.

Cheers,

Barb

[Miah]

I guess my ties to a military tartan is closer to a specific clan. I would expect that a person wearing a Marine tartan to have a family memberor they themselves have been in the Marine Corps. But thats just what I would expect. I am sure there are people that wear it and don't have a specific tie but Why not wear it is is great looking!

[Colin]

Thanks for checking into that Barb. On a personal note I couldn't wear a military tartan, not having served in the military myself. A while back Bear asked if anyone would like to oreder a kilt in RCMP tartan, as he was able to get a good deal on some. It is a beautiful tartan, and would make a great kilt, but I would feel too disrepectful to such a proud Canadian institution wearing the tartan when I have no real connection to it.

Having said that, I do wear the MacKenzie tartan (Seaforth Highlanders)not because of a military history, but because of a family history.

[macwilkin]

I personally believe that is appropriate for civilians to wear military tartans for a specific purpose, such as serving in a reenactment unit of a Scottish regiment, or if a relative or friend served in that unit, and it is to honour their service.

The Australians have a very nice similar custom where children and grand-children of ex-servicemen wear their relative's medals, but on the right lapel instead of the left. This was inspiring to see in a video of the Brisbane ANZAC Day parade a friend of mine in Queensland sent me several years ago, with all of the youngsters wearing their grand-dad's medals and marching with the servicemen's groups.

I think with any tartan, the key word is respect: respect for the history and tradition of the tartan you are wearing.

Cheers,

T.

[dana]

I personally believe that is appropriate for civilians to wear military tartans for a specific purpose, such as serving in a reenactment unit of a Scottish regiment, or if a relative or friend served in that unit, and it is to honour their service.

The Australians have a very nice similar custom where children and grand-children of ex-servicemen wear their relative's medals, but on the right lapel instead of the left. This was inspiring to see in a video of the Brisbane ANZAC Day parade a friend of mine in Queensland sent me several years ago, with all of the youngsters wearing their grand-dad's medals and marching with the servicemen's groups.

I think with any tartan, the key word is respect: respect for the history and tradition of the tartan you are wearing.

Cheers,

T.

I can't speak for all members of the military, or any particular branch of service for that matter, but as a Marine, the uniform and associated labels and such are something guarded because of the cost of obtaining such.

Sometimes when I see someone wearing a t-shirt that says "Marines" on it I think to my self, "did you earn the right to wear that t-shirt?" I'm sure that's somewhat selfish on my part, but that's just how I feel.That's just my opinion.

dana

[macwilkin]

Agree with you there, Dana...it really bothers me to see the celebrities and even students here at the college wearing military insignia (like a Combat Infantryman's badge, etc.) as jewelry...not only that, but it's illegal.

I don't classify what the Australians do with that, because that is honouring a relative who served, and usually they only wear them on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, 11 November.

By allowing these youngsters to wear grand-dad's medals, they will learn what they were for and what it cost to win them, and respect will follow.

Cheers,

T.

[dana]

Agree with you there, Dana...it really bothers me to see the celebrities and even students here at the college wearing military insignia (like a Combat Infantryman's badge, etc.) as jewelry...not only that, but it's illegal.

I don't classify what the Australians do with that, because that is honouring a relative who served, and usually they only wear them on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, 11 November.

By allowing these youngsters to wear grand-dad's medals, they will learn what they were for and what it cost to win them, and respect will follow.

Cheers,

T.

Yes I agree, as long as it's done respectfully, which I'm sure it is.

On a side note, after watching Braveheart recently, I decided to search the internet for stuff about Sir William Wallace. It really opened my eyes as to how "young" American history really is. It's pretty mind boggling when you try and research history. Has me very interested though

dana

[bubba]

America certainly is young, probably too young for the position it holds in the world. Americans really need to learn alot more history and understand who really gave us the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted. It wasn't politicians, writers or religious leaders, it was the soldiers. Americans by and large just don't seem to grasp that concept. Without the dedicated warriors who willingly give up some of those freedoms to stand between us and our enemies we'd have none of it.

[Miah]

I never mind people wearing something that says "Marines" I do get a little tence when I see somebody wearing a Egal Globe and Anchor as jewlery or something that is not a Marine.
Personaly The "EGA" is earned not given. but that is me and I am over protective I guess.

[dana]

I never mind people wearing something that says "Marines" I do get a little tence when I see somebody wearing a Egal Globe and Anchor as jewlery or something that is not a Marine.
Personaly The "EGA" is earned not given. but that is me and I am over protective I guess.

I know exactly what you mean. And no, you're not being over protective.

dana