U.S. Campaign Tartans

[Spc. Scott]

I think that would be really cool to do. I would be interested in an Iraq tartan.

Great idea!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Could anybody wear one of these campaign tartans, or just those eligible for the campaign medal? Or taking this a step further, how about decoration tartans? Silver Star tartan, or Distinguished Flying Cross tartan, or Purple Heart tartan-- could just anybody wear them, or only recipients?

I suppose generic "service tartans" are okay-- even if they do attract some wannabes, because they are ultimately fashion tartans without any solid military basis or foundation. But tartans based on the ribbons awarded for specific military campaigns?

No, I don't think so. People bled and died in these campaigns, and to demean their sacrifice by turning the ribbon of their campaign medal into a fashion tartan seems incredibly disrespectful of their service.

I'm sure others, less sensitive, will disagree.

[beowulf67]

Could anybody wear one of these campaign tartans, or just those eligible for the campaign medal? Or taking this a step further, how about decoration tartans? Silver Star tartan, or Distinguished Flying Cross tartan, or Purple Heart tartan-- could just anybody wear them, or only recipients?

I suppose generic "service tartans" are okay-- even if they do attract some wannabes, because they are ultimately fashion tartans without any solid military basis or foundation. But tartans based on the ribbons awarded for specific military campaigns?

No, I don't think so. People bled and died in these campaigns, and to demean their sacrifice by turning the ribbon of their campaign medal into a fashion tartan seems incredibly disrespectful of their service.

I'm sure others, less sensitive, will disagree.

You make some good points but I find it insulting that you think anyone who disagrees is automatically less sensitive.

If you were talking about wearing the actual service awards then I agree that is limited to the ones who earned them. But when you are talking about something that is designed to honor those people and their service, why should that be limited to a small group? Just because I didn't serve I'm not allowed to show my support?

[wyldathart]

Could anybody wear one of these campaign tartans, or just those eligible for the campaign medal? Or taking this a step further, how about decoration tartans? Silver Star tartan, or Distinguished Flying Cross tartan, or Purple Heart tartan-- could just anybody wear them, or only recipients?

I suppose generic "service tartans" are okay-- even if they do attract some wannabes, because they are ultimately fashion tartans without any solid military basis or foundation. But tartans based on the ribbons awarded for specific military campaigns?

No, I don't think so. People bled and died in these campaigns, and to demean their sacrifice by turning the ribbon of their campaign medal into a fashion tartan seems incredibly disrespectful of their service.

I'm sure others, less sensitive, will disagree.

I agree with Macmillan, The folks these tartans are for shed tears, lots of sweat and blood for the medals. I would just hate to think some wannabe could purchase it and ride the wave the honorable Men and Women created.
I love the idea though, sounds like it could be a fun undertaking

[Irish in Tacoma]

I like the idea. I recently ran across the Confederate Memorial tartan, which is in the same general theme. There are a bunch of tartans that commemorate events, why not campaigns?

As for appropriateness of wear, that debate has already happened with the clan tartans vs. general wear. I'm a Desert Storm vet, but others could wear it because they are honoring their father/friend/neighbor who was there.

Wearing a campaign kilt certainly makes a bigger statement than wearing a lapel pin.

[Larry124]

KL Kilts has a “Black Watch Desert Watch” Tartan.

Given the (unfortunately) small size of the tartan wearing community, is there a sufficient demand to make something like that worthwhile?

And yes, there's the "who can/should wear it" issue.

[OFCJAX]

I like the idea!

[davedove]

There has been some sort of Iraq tartan designed. Matt showed it to us at the seminars of the Kilt Kamp.

[Splash_4]

Yes he did! It is the operation Iraqi Freedom tartan...



I found the image at scotweb...

I like the idea of various tartans based upon campaign service ribbons. It would certainly be a niche within a niche though.

[Captain Karrot]

I think it is a great idea..being a DS vet myself, I would be interested. Don't know about registering the tartan, but it might make sense to contact one of our wonderful vendors here to see if they feel they would have enough demand to help back the production, and then sell it exclusively?