Badges, Patches & Pins for Your Tams, Caps, Hats & Kilts

[thescot]

They arrested a guy a year or two ago posing as a USMC officer. Know what gave him away?

He was wearing his sword on the wrong side! Hahahahahahaha.

There are NO Marines who would have missed that.

[thescot]

Interesting topic. Some may find this web page interesting from the British Army Rumor Service (ARRSE) concerning what is a WALT:

http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Walts

The bottom of the page has several examples under "well worth a look"

It is sad to read about some famous outed walts such as:
The Baron of Castleshort (nice kilt pics)

http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/The_Baron_of_Castleshort

Of course these are the most extreme examples of pretenders.

And I really don't think that wearing an out of date, no longer used cap badge is the same as being a Walt. Trying to convince others that you were actually part of the 92nd Regiment of Foot is another thing altogether.

[HenryT]

And I really don't think that wearing an out of date, no longer used cap badge is the same as being a Walt. Trying to convince others that you were actually part of the 92nd Regiment of Foot is another thing altogether.

You are very right! That is why I posted the walt links... this is what creates offense.

[hkjrb623]

They arrested a guy a year or two ago posing as a USMC officer. Know what gave him away?

He was wearing his sword on the wrong side! Hahahahahahaha.

There are NO Marines who would have missed that.

I had a Staff Sergeant that busted a reservist in an airport. He had a chest full of ribbons that he had not earned, in Dress Blues, and wearing a NCO sword. The giveaway-- he was a PFC! This was about '99.

[thescot]

Back to the cap badges--the OP. Remember the OP?

Cap badges do not have to be one's clan. I have one of those generic thistle badges with the belt and buckle, I have a Masonic badge, and I have a USMC badge I call "Clan McPuller" or "Clan McChesty." (Marines will get it.) And then there's that harp you can see on my avatar. It's a great badge for St. Paddy's Day.

The badges on the ebay site noted are very interesting and nice to study. Thanks for that posting.

[creagdhubh]

They arrested a guy a year or two ago posing as a USMC officer. Know what gave him away?

He was wearing his sword on the wrong side! Hahahahahahaha.

There are NO Marines who would have missed that.

Haha! What an idiot!

[creagdhubh]

I had a Staff Sergeant that busted a reservist in an airport. He had a chest full of ribbons that he had not earned, in Dress Blues, and wearing a NCO sword. The giveaway-- he was a PFC! This was about '99.

Complete and utter dummy!!!!

[Chas]

Tons of nice stuff but let's hope that those who buy any of it are entitled to wear them. I still don't get the idea of people who were not in a unit or branch wearing those insignia. Sorry, don't buy that "to honor ______" concept either.

Best

AA

I agree 100%

In the UK, wearing someone else's insignia would be seen as a bit tacky and not in any way an honour.

Young boys are often seen on Remembrance Sunday (or Remembrance Parades) wearing the full size medals and/or headdress of a deceased relative (brother, father, uncle or grandfather) on the 'wrong' (that is to say their right) side.
But they only wear them until such time as they are old enough to earn their own.
18 - OK, 21 - just, 25+ in need of a good talking-to.

Wearing a capbadge as kiltpin is acceptable. Wearing a capbadge as a capbadge is a bit dubious. I still wear my RAF capbadge as a capbadge.

The exception being disbanded or historical organisations - I don't know of anyone who would object to those being worn.

Regards

Chas