Wearing Your Medals With Your Kilt

[SergeantFirstClass]

It would seem to me that American's are xenophobic or find that wearing medals is pretentious. This is from asking other vets. Perhaps this was caused by Viet Nam and Korea era troops returning home and their lack of a warm welcome. Perhaps it could be the presumed pretentiousness seen by those outside the armed forces (not all are that way, nor am I insinuating it) but I personally have encountered civilians questioning my integrity on wearing my minatures. Perhaps it's like the European look at keeping the cigar ring on the cigar while smoking as being a show off.....Americans generally leave the ring on for conversational purposes, I'm digressing. As I am currently serving, I am limited as to what I can wear. Perhaps when I retire I might wear the full size gongs, but two branches, two wars and 20 years of service, I look more like Generalisimo Santa Ana (no offence McJore) than a regular joe. Anyway, these are my thoughts on this subject. Xenophobia exists everywhere.

[James MacMillan]

Xenophobic? Me? No I don't think so. I can truly say that I am not afraid to wear my awards. I just don’t see any real reason to.

My reluctance to wearing my medals with civilian clothes may stem from a desire not to brag or show off. I see no reason to do that.

At the special times that the VA says that it is supposedly OK, I will be with others who also served. We know what we did. We don't need to shout it out.

Don't take this wrong, but when a civilian sees me decked out in my finery, do I want him to come up to me and say thanks? No. That's not why I served.

And yes, after 33 years in the Corps, several conflicts, I have a lot of medals. Close to half of them are "I been there" medals. Some were awarded for superior performance and a couple for doing stupid things in dangerous circumstances. But - Can the average civilian recognize the significance of the different awards? NO.

The only time that I would feel comfortable wearing my awards, would be at a gathering of other servicemen. When everyone is wearing their stuff.

Would I wear my “gongs” to watch a parade? No. Would I wear them at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball with my full PC? Yes.

Again, I’m not cutting down the average civilian (well maybe I am) but they haven’t been there, and they don’t understand.

[macwilkin]

edited.

[ccga3359]

I still think the British Commonwealth custom of full size goings on day wear, and miniatures on formal (never full size on formal) is a good one. I don't see it as being snobby. Whenever I see a picture of a ex-serviceman from the Commonwealth wearing his medals, I see only a proud soldier showing the world his service for their country. Different horses for courses and all that.

Regards,

Todd

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

[davedove]

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

That was fairly true of the US Military as well during those wars. In fact, many of the medals our servicemen receive today did not even exist until the last few decades, especially some of those with lower precedence.

The special days recommended by the Veteran's Administration are Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day. Other than that, medals may be worn for military occasions, such as dinners, funerals, etc.

[macwilkin]

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

Grant -- If you read my earlier posts, I am not advocating the everyday wear of medals -- you'll notice I mention Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, etc. I'm not saying wear them everyday.

I am also aware that the British & Commonwealth do not have the same criteria in terms of the awarding of medals, nor do they have the same amount. For example, the British Long Service & Good Conduct medal is just for that -- long service (18 years) and good conduct. As you mentioned, many ex-servicemen and women only receive just a few medals for their service -- hence why their display is one of pride and not of snobbery or arrogance.

T.

[James MacMillan]

James,

I'm sorry you have such a low opinion of civilians.

I don't have "such a low opinion of civilians." I mentioned that the average civilian doesn't understand and that they don't know the significance of the awards, we're being encouraged to wear.

I don't think you can disagree with that. In all of our countries, the servicemen are, all too often taken for granted, and sometimes treated as second class citizens.

I am not complaining, merely stating fact. I have shed blood that these same average civilians can live in their ignorance and malaise, and I would do it again. That also is not bravado, but merely a statement of fact.

Thankfully it is also true, that in today's society, again in all of our countries, the serviceman gets better treatment, than we did during the Viet Nam era. Although, sometimes some of our defeatest politicians still anger those fighting to preserve our freedoms.

This is not wholey a bad thing. I'm really very glad that we live in an era where the majority can be protected by the minority. I am equally glad that the average civilian has not been placed in harms way. After all, that's why the service men and women serve in the first place.

You sir, are not the average civilian, and for that I salute you, and say thanks.

[fortcollinsjerry]

And yes, after 33 years in the Corps, several conflicts, I have a lot of medals. Close to half of them are "I been there" medals. Some were awarded for superior performance and a couple for doing stupid things in dangerous circumstances. But - Can the average civilian recognize the significance of the different awards? NO.

33 years that's quite a career brother! HoRah! -when did you goin?

The only time that I would feel comfortable wearing my awards, would be at a gathering of other servicemen. When wearing their stuff.
I thought the same way a few years ago till I wore mine at a Robert Burn's diner. Several civilians admired them and the host, who was a retired Brit military type congratulated me as a peer.
Would I wear my “gongs” to watch a parade? No. Would I wear them at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball with my full PC.

I'm ordering a new set

I think a set of minitures look smashing on a formal jacket