US Campaign Ribbons

[macwilkin]

"We're a' Jock Tampson's bairns."

.

Aye...and wha's Jock Tamson? Weel, he's God.

T.

[dfmacliam]

Wearing medals on Rememberance Day and Veterans Day are in a simular fashion, since the VA has recently encouraged Veterans to wear their medals on Veterans Day.. I think the point Jock was making, was refering to some people wanting to wear their medals on a regular basis, which is not encouraged in the States.. there is a time and place for medals to be worn, and the directives of such, are listed within each branch of the military service uniform regulations. If one would read back earlier in this thread, I believe this has been covered.
There is a certain protocol when wearing the kilt, that cannot be disputed.. on either side of the pond, while individual preferences may be a bit muddled.. the proper wear is unchanged.. even amoung the military units worldwide that wear the kilt, do so according to the protocol established by Highland traditions..
just because one is not from that side of the pond, should their traditions be thrown out the door..

[Kiltman]

Welcome from Eastern Washington State. Miniature medals and ribbons can be worn on a PC or any military doublet.

[Redshank]

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

[Bruce Scott]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I could not agree more.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I'm glad you feel that way.

But, unfortunately, to those who do not wear their medals on their pajamas, or on Prince Charlie coatees at Highland games, it looks-- well, socially awkward. There is a thing called "correct form", and by and large all of us strive to observe it in our daily lives; "please" and "thank you" are two examples of correct form that most of us adhere to without giving it a second thought. The more one observes "correct form" the more one is generally regarded to be a lady or a gentleman.

Unless one is totally ignorant of the correct form regarding the wearing of medals with civilian attire, then the wearing of medals at inappropriate times, and at inappropriate places, seems to be nothing more than "showing off". It's as if the wearer is shouting, "Look at me, I've got medals, so you'd better pay attention to me." This cry for undeserved attention really shows a lack of respect for anyone else (and probably some self-esteem issues as well).

There is a time and a place where the wearing of medals is totally appropriate. It's just that pinned to a Prince Charlie coatee at the local Highland games isn't one of them.

[Bruce Scott]

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

Maybe? This is what he said:

I have had it on good authority that the British definition of "dress" is different to US "dress". So to a Brit a suit is not "dress" to a Brit "dress" would start with formal "morning dress", or, morning suit(kilt, black barathea, silver buttons,Argyll) and is formal day wear. In most cases, to a Brit, "dress" starts with black tie dinner jacket(tux) or in Highland terms a PC jacket and accoutrements and then on up the
scale. I mention all this so that there should be no confusion between the two definitions of the word "dress". So to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

I cannot presume to know exactly what he was thinking but clearly both kilted and trousered forms of dress are discussed and medals are most definitely worn on civilian day wear in Britain. That said, I agree that it would be extremely unlikely to see medals worn to events such as Highland games in Scotland. The wearing of campaign medals and awards with civilian day wear is generallly only to occasions such as Remembrance Day and battle commemorations.

[KFCarter]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

Unless one is totally ignorant of the correct form regarding the wearing of medals with civilian attire, then the wearing of medals at inappropriate times, and at inappropriate places, seems to be nothing more than "showing off". It's as if the wearer is shouting, "Look at me, I've got medals, so you'd better pay attention to me." This cry for undeserved attention really shows a lack of respect for anyone else (and probably some self-esteem issues as well).

Do these inappropriate displays on the part of decorated veterans of WWII truly warrant this type of blanket psychoanalysis?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Maybe? This is what he said:

I have had it on good authority that the British definition of "dress" is different to US "dress". So to a Brit a suit is not "dress" to a Brit "dress" would start with formal "morning dress", or, morning suit(kilt, black barathea, silver buttons,Argyll) and is formal day wear. In most cases, to a Brit, "dress" starts with black tie dinner jacket(tux) or in Highland terms a PC jacket and accoutrements and then on up the
scale. I mention all this so that there should be no confusion between the two definitions of the word "dress". So to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

I cannot presume to know exactly what he was thinking but clearly both kilted and trousered forms of dress are discussed and medals are most definitely worn on civilian day wear in Britain. That said, I agree that it would be extremely unlikely to see medals worn to events such as Highland games in Scotland. The wearing of campaign medals and awards with civilian day wear is generallly only to occasions such as Remembrance Day and battle commemorations.

What Jock Scot is clearly saying is this: The wearing of medals on civilian attire, other than when requested to do so by the host or organizer of the event being attended, looks out of place. I would go one step farther and say: Not only does it look out of place, it is out of place.

It's not about the mixing of cultures. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Kilted or in cowboy boots.

[Geoff Withnell]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

And are those of following generations, who stepped forward to offer their lives as well somehow less deserving of respect? If they are indeed the "last of the few" then our civilization is indeed doomed, for only by the valor of rough men (and women) at the edges is the peace of the center preserved. I went to my Marine Corps League meeting Friday in Leatherneck kilt otherwise casual without ribbons. In a couple of weeks I will attend the Marine Corp Birthday Ball in kilt, argyle, waistcoat, white pleated tux shirt and my few miniature medals from my service with brave comrades on my jacket.

Geoff Withnell