First full day kilted

**McNulty** · 25th February 09, 05:43 AM

Yowza! Love the pix Tatonka. I'm a Unit Commissioner here and wear my kilt to all but a few meetings and ceremonies that require specific uniforming. I usually wear my MacLaren kilt, dark green Scout shirt, brown belt and sporran, and bottle green hose with red garter ties. It's good to see people, especially scouters, stressing lessons learned (Heritage) in scouts of all ages. They are the future of the Scouting movement and our country. Way to go!
Nulty

**Standard** · 25th February 09, 05:58 AM

What EagleJCS said. The uniform code doesn't explicitly confirm nor deny the use of the kilt in the US Scouting community. In fact it doesn't mention the kilt at all. As EagleJCS said the only branch of the organization that does have leeway in their choice of uniforming is the Venturing Program. I'm the lead advisor for our Venture Crew, and have done some research into this subject. There are certainly a very few Venture Crews that do choose to wear the kilt as part of their uniform. I know of several leaders on this board who wear their kilts to meetings and events such as McNulty who don't seem to have had much flack to report back to the rest of us. I would say that if you are going to wear the kilt whilest on Scouting activities to wear it with pride, not as a gimick. Considering all of the Youth Protection training that I'm sure you have been through it would be best to never go regimental and not have that be a topic of discussion. I wish you the best in your kilt wearing.

**Tartan Hiker** · 25th February 09, 07:13 AM

Looks great, and good on you for venturing into some of the most "challenging" public spaces for kilt wearers.

As a total outsider that never got into scouting, would it be allowable to use a scout badge or patch or something like that in the kilt pin location? If so, that might help smooth the "disjunct" between the uniform shirt and the kilt.

I put a 4" by 4" piece of loop-side Velcro on my hiking kilts in the pin location, and attach hook-side Velcro to the back of my hiking club patches so I can move them from kilt to kilt and remove them for washing. This is the same system used by all the new US military uniforms.

**EagleJCS** · 25th February 09, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

As a total outsider that never got into scouting, would it be allowable to use a scout badge or patch or something like that in the kilt pin location? If so, that might help smooth the "disjunct" between the uniform shirt and the kilt.

Actually, I think that might cause more problems from the 'official' standpoint. It would imply an official approval of what is currently a non-uniform item. Technically, BSA badges are not supposed to be put on non-uniform/non-BSA approved (jackets, hats, etc.) apparel (and uniform items are not supposed to be worn for non-BSA advertising, political events, or by non-members, which gets some musicians in hot water from time to time). This is my 31st year in Scouting (continuous membership since joining as a Cub) and there are often people who are new to the movement that have been asked to adjust their clothing choices (take patches off some things, not wear others, etc.).

[off-topic]IIRC, there was a discussion at the national level (at the Scoutmaster's courses at Philmont) a few years ago about headgear options, which is what led the national council to develop more choices beyond the baseball cap and 'Smokey Bear'. Those were the only two choices for year-round for several years. (Some may remember the old red beret and 'overseas' style caps, but they were phased out in the late '70's.) Some leaders, not liking those two choices (I was one) for regular/camping wear, took to wearing 'cowboy' and similar style hats with the BSA adult hat pin on them. Not really uniform in the strictest sense since they weren't sold in the catalog, but not many professionals made an issue out of it. The Insignia Guide simply said (and still does) that any headgear with the BSA logo was OK.

(There aren't any official 'uniform police' in the Scouts either. If there are grievous errors, the general protocol is to take the "offender" aside and have the issues pointed out, then ask the person to get them corrected, just as we do with kilted newbies.) [/off-topic]

As I've said, I don't really have a problem with Tatonka's green kilt, but there may be questions raised since it isn't specifically addressed in the Insignia Guide. I would suggest he wear everything else in close conformation with the Guide just in case he's asked to change into trousers, so the 'purists' don't have anything else to howl about.

**Tatonka** · 25th February 09, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Standard

... I would say that if you are going to wear the kilt whilest on Scouting activities to wear it with pride, not as a gimick. Considering all of the Youth Protection training that I'm sure you have been through it would be best to never go regimental and not have that be a topic of discussion. I wish you the best in your kilt wearing.

While my kilt may not have been made of a tartan, I wore it with as much pride as befits being in my uniform. I had one mom comment that she did not know the BSA offered kilts, to which I told her they didn't, that my Mom-in-law made it for me. She then told me that it goes very well and that they should! As for going regimental or "the question" I would never take the chance of endangering any of my boys in any way.

**fshguy** · 25th February 09, 07:03 PM

I say good on ya. I'm also a Cubmaster and "I used to be a Bob White..."; I've been a scout(er) since 1983. I regularly wear an olive kilt similar to yours and my McLaren sportkilt with the uniform. I've never had a Council official (or anyone for that matter) say anything other than positive comments.

The Scout insignia hat pin makes a great kilt pin.

**Standard** · 27th February 09, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tatonka

While my kilt may not have been made of a tartan, I wore it with as much pride as befits being in my uniform. I had one mom comment that she did not know the BSA offered kilts, to which I told her they didn't, that my Mom-in-law made it for me. She then told me that it goes very well and that they should! As for going regimental or "the question" I would never take the chance of endangering any of my boys in any way.

I assumed as much. It's nice to know that you got some good comments. I personally think that kilts would make a nice option, but at least at this point they are simply not mentioned and not strictly verboten.

**meinfs** · 27th February 09, 05:48 PM

Tatonka - most excellent! You wear the kilt well and it looks very well made. Very nice picture with the wife. Congratulations for the having the courage to wear at such an event!!

Like I've told you before - those socks are great - it's got virtual 'flashes' built into it.