Quote Originally Posted by Sciuropterus
Maybe it is a bad decision to change the uniforms, but complaining won't help.

As far as I'm concerned, soldiers should wear what is issued to them, period.

Every change in the military generates complaints. The military does not exist to provide tradition for soldiers, it exists to provide defense. Any officer who does not like a required uniform can resign his commision and join a reenactment group. Any enlisted soldier who does like not like his uniform can bring it up with his sergeant, if he dares!

Looks there will be a lot of ex-MOD kilts on the market, good for us!
Tradition plays a key role in unit morale in the British Army. The past serves as an inspiration for soldiers, officers and other ranks, to perform their duty to protect the nation. These regiments are "family regiments", and it is not uncommon for three generations to serve in the same battalion. The battalion and/or regiment also has a distinct tie to local communities, similar to the relationship many communities in the United States have with their local National Guard or Reserve units. Or the US Marines. They have managed to combine modern-day tactics with a good dose of history & tradition, and it works very well for them.

These units are very much a "family", and their kilts & tartans are symbols of this idea.

T.