A few thoughts on choice and selection: tartan, clans, etc.

[creagdhubh]

Just to perhaps prevent too much over-generalization... I happen to be an American that currently serves in our military. I will tell you that within the U.S. a great few individuals actually serve our Nation's military. This suggests to me that many people do not understand from the service member's point of view what it means to some units to "earn" their membership. Personally, I would discourage and suggest NOT to wear anything from a military unit that you did not (or do not currently) serve in.

For example, the 82nd Airborne is a large and popular unit. If I see someone wearing an 82nd Airborne patch, I expect that they themself served in that unit...not their parent or grandparent. If I find that they did NOT serve, I think that to be inappropriate. I would not say anything outright, because that could be rude and I do not wish to offend. However, if someone asked me if they should wear it because their grandfather was in the 82nd and jumped into Nomandy during WWII, I would say NO. There are plenty of t-shirts that say, "I love my granpa!", feel free to wear one of those.

I wear my dad's (and his dad's before him) jump wings. I do honor them by doing so. However, I went to jump school and earned those wings for myself--certainly not the same as the preceeding discussion. Had I not earned the right to wear Jump wings on my own, I would not (nor would I suggest any did) wear jump wings as a sign of honor for my dad and grandad. Just knowing what it took for them to earn those, I would find it ironically disrespectful to them to wear the wings they so rightly earned.

Just because people in the U.S. do like to wear things to honor their families, does not mean that we all widely approve of it. Ask my son if he could/would wear any of my military ensignia to "honor me" to school one day and he will tell you, "No. Those are my dad's."

And since this thread is actually about family tartans... my son will also wear the kilt I tell him to wear since it is the one our family wears. When he is old enough to buy his own, then he can do as he wishes. Although, I doubt he would wear something different from me.

Very well said! Oh, and I too attended jump school.

Cheers,

[Geoff Withnell]

When you keep to things that have been personally earned, sometimes you get even more satisfaction. My Dad served in the US Navy in WW2. I served in the USMC in Vietnam. I of course would never wear his insignia or awards, nor he mine. But when I recently got him a set of his ribbons (he had never received a full set in the confusion of demobilization) I and he were amazed to discover that due to its award being made retroactive, he and I shared the right to wear the Navy Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon. Sharing a award with my Dad made our grins almost split our faces.

[TheOfficialBren]

I think many in the US, like me, would never wear military issue with insignia and/or rank affixed. In my family, somewhere between many and most of the men serve, and some of the women. I missed out because of damage incurred as an adventurous teen. Though I've never been formally told to do it this way or that, or that something just isn't done, I've always felt that was theirs. In the late 60s into the 70s, many of my friends shopped in military surplus stores due to cost/value necessities. I had no problem there when insignia was removed, and the UK posts here mentioning someone's first kilt being military surplus leads me to believe attitudes are actually fairly similar. I will grant there may be a higher level of ignorance on this side of the pond due to numbers, as mentioned above.

I can agree. I do have a few government-issue surplus things (a winter coat, an old Swedish BDU top, a pair of [very uncomfortable, I might add] old combat boots, and my old USAF Dress Blues from CAP). I wear them without any insignia or decoration of any sort. That would be inappropriate. I did have my CAP (Civil Air Patrol) BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform) but I gifted them to my nehew. I could kick myself now because they are pretty comfy and perfectly suited to those occasions when one participates in Rule 11 activities out in the country (although not of vital necessity).

Here's a question for you chaps: having served in Civil Air Patrol (United States Air Force Auxiliary) would it be inappropriate for me to wear a tie or some small pin on occasions where others who have served do the same? I make no presumption to be a soldier but I did donate time specifically set aside to serve my community and, if I had been called upon, my country.

Now I am excluded from military service for medical reasons. When I was younger it (CAP) seemed like a small pursuit with the purpose of grooming me for military service (as my father, forefathers, uncles, several aunts, cousins, and brothers before me). After having a few years to mature and reflect upon it I feel a bit left out, to be honest. The spirit is willing but Uncle Sam says, "no."

Any solutions that would not offend others or is this a silly, trifling thing that needn't be addressed? Many thanks (for your collective military service and your advice).

[Angstrom]

Just to perhaps prevent too much over-generalization... I happen to be an American that currently serves in our military. I will tell you that within the U.S. a great few individuals actually serve our Nation's military. This suggests to me that many people do not understand from the service member's point of view what it means to some units to "earn" their membership. Personally, I would discourage and suggest NOT to wear anything from a military unit that you did not (or do not currently) serve in.

For example, the 82nd Airborne is a large and popular unit. If I see someone wearing an 82nd Airborne patch, I expect that they themself served in that unit...not their parent or grandparent. If I find that they did NOT serve, I think that to be inappropriate. I would not say anything outright, because that could be rude and I do not wish to offend. However, if someone asked me if they should wear it because their grandfather was in the 82nd and jumped into Nomandy during WWII, I would say NO. There are plenty of t-shirts that say, "I love my granpa!", feel free to wear one of those.

I wear my dad's (and his dad's before him) jump wings. I do honor them by doing so. However, I went to jump school and earned those wings for myself--certainly not the same as the preceeding discussion. Had I not earned the right to wear Jump wings on my own, I would not (nor would I suggest any did) wear jump wings as a sign of honor for my dad and grandad. Just knowing what it took for them to earn those, I would find it ironically disrespectful to them to wear the wings they so rightly earned.

Just because people in the U.S. do like to wear things to honor their families, does not mean that we all widely approve of it.

A different view: I had a friend who flew for the US Navy, and was sometimes chosen to take an aircraft for static display at an airshow. While at the airshow they would sell squadron hats, t-shirts, etc. to the public to raise money for the squadron recreational fund, and the crews of other display aircraft would do the same.

I generally don't like wearing logos or insignia of groups I don't belong to, for the same reason you give: I haven't earned it. But if a member of a group sells me a logo item of clothing, or gives it as a gift, I wouldn't think that they'd object to me wearing it.

[Holcombe Thomas]

Bren, I think that, since you served in the CAP, you can wear its tie or lapel pin. It's no different to those who served in other organizations, civilian or military, wearing items denoting that service. If you flew for the CAP, by all means wear your wings, but not official Air Force wings.

Holcombe

[TheOfficialBren]

Bren, I think that, since you served in the CAP, you can wear its tie or lapel pin. It's no different to those who served in other organizations, civilian or military, wearing items denoting that service. If you flew for the CAP, by all means wear your wings, but not official Air Force wings.

Holcombe

Excellent. Question satisfactorily answered. Thank you, Holcombe.

[Douggie M]

Great writing Mac, anytime you want to use bandwidth I'll read it with a smile on my face. Mick

[MAJMike]

Well, I claim the MacLaine clan, but my mother's a Russell and as I'm a Scouter, I wear a MacLaren kilt. Can't say its really anyone's damn business.