Kilted Army ROTC Cadets

[MacEanruig]

My last posting in the US Army was at Pennsylvania State University. I served four years as a Military Science Instructor. A few years back, an elderly alumnus wondered into our offices, as alumni are wont to do, and presented me me the following photos which he had taken during his time as a cadet. I talked briefly with him about the photos, because I am a historian by degree and passion.

I scanned the photos and turned them over to the Penn State archivist. Unfortunately, I do not have the gentlemen's name. I also don't know when the photographs were taken or who they were. He did say that a couple of the cadets were Scottish and played bagpipes. These cadets organized the group and purchased the kilts and accessories.

Penn State Pershing Rifles Trick Drill Team 1965-66


Penn State Pershing Rifles Trick Drill Team at the Orange Blossom Drill eam Competition Fort lee VA spring 1962


Pershing Rifles Trick Drill Team 1965-66 in front of the Capital.

If anybody knows anything more about this, please contribute. Enjoy!

[Calgacus]

To me, it looks like they are wearing ladies' skirts, especially in the first photo. The pleats are very shallow, and there appear to be darts in the front. Also, the position of the sett varies at the hem between kilts, suggesting a sewn hem rather than a selvedge.

[MacEanruig]

Good observation. Most likely they funded the clothing and accessories on the cheap with personal funds or small scale fundraisers. The cadets do that often for needed items.

[Tarheel]

I'm mostly proud their drilling with fixed bayonets attached to those clunky M-14's. A right-handed spin downward to a Queen Anne's salute could spell trouble for a kilt. A frog (no baldric) for the platoon leader (officer's) saber. Thanks for the photo. I agree that without sporrans or visible sgian dubhs, they probably did supply their own uniforms.

[Holcombe Thomas]

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