Quote Originally Posted by James Byous View Post
I've had one Marine at Paris Island wear his mess dress with the USMC tartan (either that or Leatherneck, it's been a while) to the Marine Corp ball. I made an Irish tartan kilt for the local Coast Guard Commander who wore it with his mess dress jacket and a caubeen in the St. Patrick's Day parade here in Savannah. They both obtained permission from their "bosses" to do so. They were active duty. If your father is retired he can do just about anything he wants. He might want to temporarily remove insignia, but medals and ribbons are worn all the time. The Air Force mess dress jacket is perfect to wear with the "Air Force" tartan. Here is a photo from the Coast Guard Pipe Band sight. http://www.uscgpipeband.org/eventphotos.php I don't know if they are "official" uniforms or not, but they seem to be. (I tried to upload a couple more photos, but can't figure out how to do it.)
I believe the USCG pipe band is made up of active duty, reserve and auxillary members. While it certainly is a de facto recognition, just as the USAFR, USMA and USNA pipe bands are recognized, I don't believe any of the service regulations officially discuss Highland attire.

T.