Kilts in Baghdad

[JayFilomena]

Here are some photos of me in Baghdad and some other countries. My Utilikilt, and PittsburghKilt have been to Jordan, France, Germany, England, Scotland, and Iraq. You can just bet, that I get chosen for the "additional screening" every single time I go to the airport.

[Graham]

Very interesting piccies Jay, thanks for sharing them.

So you wear your kilt to work?
I know about the "additional screening" too!

[Archangel]

a machine gun with a kilt, the ultimate accessory. (I know that's not the right name for the weapon, but I don't know what it.)

Hey, help me out here. I see a lot of these kinds of pics on the Sportkilt site. What is with US soldiers and kilts in Baghdad (and Afghanistan)? In the pic are you still on duty (with a kilt) or off duty (with a weapon)?

I'm not being judgmental, just curious.

Respect.

[GMan]

Jay,

I liked those shots! A lot of variety.

[Dreadbelly]

That's a cute wee little butterknife in one of those pics. :razz:

[Graham]

Jay, thinking about the piccies, I'm sure there is a story there. Would you like to share it with us?

[An t-Ileach]

I'm sure the Jordanians and Iraqis are used to the kilt, with their long association with the British, but their exposure to the utilitikilt must be something new for them.

Pic 2 looks like Harry Potter's acquired his very own part of King's Cross station; and would Pic 4 be a Hobbit's sword from LOTR?

[Brasilikilt]

Jay
Very cool pics I must say...... Dressed to Kilt?
You are certainly an excellent example of how the kilt can make a comeback as part of a battle uniform.
I imagine a kilt is much more comfortable in the 130+ degree heat than your standard BDU's!!!
Here I am as the ex-military surplus store employee :-)
I'm having trouble figuring out if you're a Marine or Army because I see in one of the shots it looks like you're wearing the brown suede leather boots which I thought were USMC issue, but you're wearing the brown/tan t-shirt which I thought was issued to the army (the USMC get green shirts?)

Are you in a tank or other armored vehicle? The chest holster you're using for your M-9 appears to be the kind type used more by aircraft and armored vehicle crews rather than infantry.
I hope I don't irritate you with all my questions!

[JayFilomena]

Thank you for your keen observation. i am currently a private contractor for a security team. I served in the Marine Corps many moons ago, so that is why I went with the digital pattern on my pittsburgh kilt. The leather holster is actually a Tombstone replica called "the huckleberry" It was not really made for my M-9, but I make it work because I like the cross draw. As a private contractor, we get to wear what ever we like as far as gear. Is it against the rules to post my blog address? If it is not, then you can read more about me at www.TheKingsRealm.blogspot.com, if it is against the rules, I am really really sorry and will delet the thread.

[JayFilomena]

No, I do not wear my kilt when i am working. but I do carry my rifle when I am not. I posed for these photos while off duty for novelty. I did however send a memo to the program manager, explaining the benifits of the kilt as a uniform, health, heat, maneuverability etc. It was of course humor, but the email was forwarded to executives and I received a quite official reply about cost effectiveness of changing uniforms, procurement etc. That is a Sting replica. For my geek friends out there, my youngest sons name is Anakin, and my youngest daughters name is Arwen. I had no idea of the british influence in jordan until this last March, when I saw bagpipers at a Jordanian wedding. As far as the kilt.....that causes stares everywhere I go, and even in jordan I was looked at in bewilderment. Many a men have been killed with less then a broad sword. It may look like a butter knife, but in the hands of a master, it is the bane of all evil in the world.........ok, so its a tiny knife, but it was only $15.