US ARMY tartan redesign?

[jumper]

As the name states the question is if the US ARMY tartan should be redesigned. The current (unofficial) US ARMY tartan is based off the creators time in the Army. So what would you put in to create a tartan that is inclusive of the Army as a whole? What colors, pattern, so on. When you look at the other branches that is how they were done based on the branch note that the only branch with a official tartan to my knowledge is the USCG.

[Steve Ashton]

We actually had a thread similar to this a few years ago.

Here is the suggestion for a non-branch affiliated Army Tartan.






For someone - just as an example - in Artillery you would change just the middle line.



And Infantry




We actually had a weaver willing to give it a try.

[jumper]

Steve I like that to be honest it looks sharp. My branch is quartermaster so the color is "buff" and would just blend to the other lines.

[davidlpope]

One purpose of a tartan is to be recognizable. This recognition makes the tartan an indicator of in-group identity.

This is the way that modern clan tartans work: "Hey, there's another Sinclair. I recognize the same Sinclair tartan that I'm wearing."

Although not nearly as popular, U.S. military tartans function the same way:"Hey, there's a guy wearing the Leatherneck tartan. Must be a Marine..."

Although I don't think the U.S. Army tartan looks that great, it has been in use for a while and is often worn by Army-types. To go back to the drawing board and start establishing an identity for a new Army tartan seems misguided to me.

Better, I think, to have the U.S. Army tartan woven in a more comely selection of yarn shades, so that it will be more pleasing on the eye. Perhaps a custom weave in Wilson's of Bannockburn's standard colors? I've always thought that the Leatherneck tartan would look best in this color palette, as well.

[davidlpope]

Too similar to the Navy Edzell tartan, to my eye....

[Taskr]

The unofficial doesn't look bad. Agree that some adjustment to the colours might make it more appealing but there is the comment that it is out there and is being worn. The gold description sounds out of place. Why only cavalry mentioned. While we can't know the mascinations of army bureaucracy, can it be made official especially if gold becomes 'service'

[Steve Ashton]

I think the idea behind this version was to be a bit more like the uniform.

Much the same as I did with the USMC Dress Blue Tartan. Not intended to replace the Leatherneck, just offer an alternative.

[figheadair]

MAy I suggest that this thread should be in the Tartan Place.

[neo71665]

Not a bad tartan Steve but that just screams navy colors. I know the army's official colors are black and gold but your cutting mat (green and gold) says army to me more than the tartan.

I'm sure that will fade with the new generations but growing up the pictures of my grandpa in his olive drabs and the BDUs of the time in woodland have a major role to play in that green stands out. They will most likely picture tan or coyote.

[davidlpope]

I think the idea behind this version was to be a bit more like the uniform.

Much the same as I did with the USMC Dress Blue Tartan. Not intended to replace the Leatherneck, just offer an alternative.

I understand the intent. In my opinion the benefit of the tartan being recognized as an indicator that the wearer has ties to the Marine Corps outweighs the benefit of of the tartan resembling the uniform. The multiplication of tartans for any given group (including clans) dilutes their effectiveness as a visual identifier and creates confusion. Often the result is an orphan tartan.

The same analysis holds true for tartans associated with American states and Irish counties.