A question for veterans?

[Jock Scot]

Yes I agree wear the TARTAN of the finest military branch in the world .....The USARMY !!!!!

OK OK just a little interservice poke....

In the spirit of modest fun, there are some units other than US forces that may want to voice an opinion here!

[Finn]

Um... Cub Scouts?

<ducking>

[Jock Scot]

Um... Cub Scouts?

<ducking>

Well the Scout movement is a British invention and some of their members scare the H*** out of me!

[Birddog]

Just a little history lesson...
The only time a Marine unit EVER surrendered was under the command of an Army officer...many of the Marines refused and went to work with the Phillipine resistance...
Go Army, and take the Navy with you!!!

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

In the spirit of modest fun, there are some units other than US forces that may want to voice an opinion here!

The local ex-Para is going to keep his yap shut. I try to avoid the interservice thing, especially when I was expecting to get to my destination DZ.

Although the best way to annoy a US Marine is to point out that the French Foreign Legion has a tougher basic training. Sorry, since the Legion Etranger is all furriners, they can get away with things that would drop a USMC DI in deep doo-doo if the DI tried it. The USMC would cause letters to fly to the legislators if they did what the LE/FFL are supposed to do to recruits.

Besides only loonies join the LE/FFL, they have to pound discipline into them.

USMC are looking for a few good men, the LE/FFL want warm bodies they can ship to be slaughtered.

[Birddog]

Here is a funny story for you.
Years ago, while serving in a craphole in Africa, we were serving at the same base as a Foreign Legion detachment. I ment one of them, and was quite surprised when I learned he was a yank from Boston. He left because he was being charged with murder, and decided instead of prison he would run. I guess the French have no problem with such people. No wonder they can't win a fight without the British or Americans!

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Overly macho, desperate, or just plain off crazy--We're the FFL!

[macwilkin]

Here is a funny story for you.
Years ago, while serving in a craphole in Africa, we were serving at the same base as a Foreign Legion detachment. I ment one of them, and was quite surprised when I learned he was a yank from Boston. He left because he was being charged with murder, and decided instead of prison he would run. I guess the French have no problem with such people. No wonder they can't win a fight without the British or Americans!

Gents,

This thread is heading off-topic...let's keep to military tartans, please.

Todd

[Birddog]

I offer my apologies to anyone who might have been offended by my comments about the war figthing abilities of the French. Almost everyone understands the jest the Americans and British use in reference to France, but not everyone. Please understand that it was just that.

Birddog

[Morris at Heathfield]

The British Scottish regiment tartans, with the exception of the Black Watch are clan tartans. The Black Watch is considered a Universal Tartan, so you are safe there as well.

The Black Watch is certainly a universal tartan, but it is used as a clan tartan as well. Both the Grant and Munro clans use it as their hunting tartan, and Clan Campbell uses it as their clan tartan. The Campbells tend to wear it in the "ancient" colors, but it is (or should be) the same sett.

The belief that the Black Watch tartan was based on the Campbell Tartan is disputed by several experts.

I believe the dispute has resolved into a general consensus. Alastair Campbell of Airds, the expert on Campbell history, is of the opinion that the Black Watch tartan originated with the regiment, and was not identified with the Campbell clan until later. I am not aware of any recent tartan expert who disagrees with this.

Breadalbane Fencibles 1793 wore the Black Watch at first but later added two yellow lines. It became called the Campbell of Breadalbane

This tartan was adopted by the Campbells of Breadalbane at first, but Wilson's of Bannockburn created a "Breadalbane" tartan that is identical to the Graham of Montrose, except that the white stripes are changed to yellow. Sometime later in the 19th century the Campbells of Breadalbane adopted this tartan instead. To this day, books on tartan are divided as to which tartan is the Campbell of Breadalbane tartan. According to Alastair Campell of Airds, the later tartan is the official one. And his word is about as official as you can get, as the Earldom of Breadalbane is dormant at present.

Campbell of Cawdor – worn by several Argyll Fencibles and 91st Regt. after 1886..

This tartan was first known as "Argyle", and has been used as an Argyll district tartan. It seems to have been adopted by the Campbells of Cawdor in the late 19th century.

But, to get back to David's original question:

I really like the USMC tartan. Would it be offensive to any soldiers if I would wear this tartan since I have never served in the Armed Forces? Thanks for your insight!

I think it all depends. On the one hand, these US armed service tartans, unlike British regimental tartans, aren't part of any uniform except, possibly in some cases, that of a military pipe band. So, wearing such a tartan is a far cry from actually wearing a uniform with rank insignia and medals.

On the other hand, these tartans, also unlike British regimental tartans, have unambiguous meanings. If I wore a kilt in the Graham of Montrose tartan, it's highly unlikely that anyone would ask me if I had served in the First City Regiment. Even if I wore the Black Watch, I doubt anyone would think anything of it. But if I decided to wear a kilt in the US Navy Edzell tartan, it's possible that someone who recognized it would ask me if I had served in the Navy. And, if I answered in the negative, it's possible that the questioner would be unsatisfied with my answer.

Given the relative newness of the armed service branch tartans, and the unofficial status of some of them, I think it may take a while for the protocol surrounding them to evolve. In the meantime, I'd say wear it if you like. Just don't be surprised when the Marines call you up for active duty.