Question about flashes...

[macwilkin]

Another, related, question about flashes: I have read that flashes were used as a mark of status in the University of Iowa bagpipe band. Pipers with less experience--I'm assuming that there's an initiation or rite of passage involved here--used to wear plain elastic bands without a flash to hold up hose. I haven't been able to find the origin of this tradition. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was military in origin. I'll wait for the answer off-air. Thanks!

Never heard of it in the Scottish regiments of the Commonwealth. It may be a Iowa Highlanders custom. I know the USMA Pipes & Drums have a specific tradition regarding the placing of their flashes, but I don't remember the details...

T.