Not appropriate for a soldier?

[AckZel]

As some of you may know I work in the military. I went to the Air Defence Guild (which is voluntary reservist guild) wearing a kilt. Some other active officer (in higher ranks) didn't like it. Now I got order not to wear my kilt in reservist or military related events. They said it's not appropriate for a soldier to wear kilts. I tried to tell them about highland regiments and so on but of course they didn't listen. Well, Air Defence Guild is a reservist association, where everyone should wear civilian clothes. And they say I can't wear the kilt. I haven't weared trousers for over a month now except in work, sports and once when my kilt was in wash. So, should I start to wear trousers in the guild or take the kilt just to provoke them, because I know they can't order my civilian dressing. Could get me in troubles at work though. Or should I wear my parade uniform, it could provoke them also...

How small minded can a human being be? :P

[ByDand]

Having spent 4 years USN, I would suggest you take the course of least resistance. While it may irritate you that they are narrow minded, it will only become harder for you to serve. Wear what they expect while you are a part of them. I do understand your frustration, I am not allowed to wear a kilt to the office because they have an unwritten dress code for representatives and my company helps me live like I want (with the exception of a kilt in the office).

Since this is a military unit, respect the views of your officers and bite your tongue. It may be hard to do but you will be a better man because of it.

Afterwards, put on the kilt and have an "Aquaviit" for me!

[John M.]

Well, Air Defence Guild is a reservist association, where everyone should wear civilian clothes.

If the kilt "is" what you choose to wear as a civilian, then I say irritate the crap out of em.

[bubba]

And just what is an active duty officer doing telling civilians how to dress? They tell you civilian cress, the kilt IS civilian dress. It appears that particular officer is a nincompoop who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'd make an issue of it over his head.

[bikercelt1]

And just what is an active duty officer doing telling civilians how to dress? .... I'd make an issue of it over his head.

I'm with Bubba. If this anal retentive officer can affect your regular employment then do what he wants in the short run but start finding ways to go around him and reach a more reasonable superior. If he can't affect your regular employment then he has no authority to tell you what you can and can't wear. He obviously is totally out of touch with the reality of masculinity and has some issues of his own to work out. You're not responsible for his issues.

I can't wear my kilt at work except on special occasions. The person who says I can't is the person who pays me, so he does have authority over me. I find my own ways to strike back though. I haven't worn long pants in almost three years. I keep "discovering" more ethnic "holidays" that justify wearing a kilt. I listen to bagpipe music in my office and hang my basket-hilt broadsword on the wall opposite my desk. You're a clever fellow, you'll find ways to express yourself in spite of Officer Anal.

Jamie

[motorman4life]

If you were in the United States, I would say to gather up information on military kilts among US, Canadian and other allies. Put together a portfolio with images, articles, sample tartans and whatever else you can find. In particular, I would get as much information on the official USAF, USN, USCG and US Marine tartans. There is also a Westpoint tartan used by the US Army. Is there any use of the kilt in the Finish military?

If you were in the US, I would saay to get a copy of the US Tartan Day Resolution (Congress) and any applicable resolutions that have been made in the state in which you reside. Get military specifications and details on kilts and kilt outfits for formal military mess and dress attire and put it all together in a packet.

You could still do this, because it does tend to show the kilt is in fact a part of military attire.

Show that packet to him and see what he says. Tell him you want it back, but if he wants to look it all over at his leisure, let him do so. After he does that, ask him if he has changed his mind. If he has not, write a letter or meet with his superior tp explain your situation: the unlawful order, your displeasure with the position, the refusal to resend the order and your appeal for his superior to review the packet and deal with the situation appropriately.

I think once you start doing some reasearch, you will see how much the kilt is a part of the mainstream military and if you can get him to realize that, you will be allowed to wear a kilt.

[auld argonian]

Years ago when mustaches were still "out" and a clean shaven look was in, a buddy of mine was in ROTC - a sort of pre-military organization for those in grades 9-12 here in the States - and he had a mustache. He was the only guy in high school who was capable of growing a mustache at the time and was rightly proud of it. His superior stopped in front of him during inspection and told him that no one in the unit was supposed to have a mustache. My buddy replied something to the effect of: "Sir, my father has a mustache; his father had a mustache and his father had a mustache. Sir, it is a TRADITION, Sir...and I am expected to uphold the tradition." It was a load of B.S. but they bought it and Carl kept his mustache with no further comment from the ROTC commander.

I don't know what kind of stake you have in belonging to this organization but I would look at this as an experiment. I would suggest wearing your kilt to the meetings and bringing a pair of trousers along and changing from the kilt to the trousers (in the men's room, of course) just before the meeting begins. Sit throught the meeting in trousers and then, when it's over, change back...make it clear that the wearing of the trousers is a concession to the Air Defence Guild and that you will wear them only on their time, not yours. I would try this a couple of times and then perhaps "accidentally" arrive at the very last minute with no time to change before the meeting begins. They will either let it go or stop and wait for you to change into what they consider "appropriate" garb. It would be worth finding out if it was a real objection that they have or just the whim of the officer in question.

It's a shame that they won't consider the tradition of the wearing of the kilt in the military...perhaps they would commission their own tartan (show them the Canadian Air Force tartan - it's very nice) if they got the message.

Best of luck, though...the military runs the way it does for a reason and trying to force changes usually come to naught.

best

AA

[cavscout]

It sounds like the Finish Military may be a bit different than the US Military. The fact that you are encouraged to wear civilian clothes is odd if you are a contract member of the military. I'm interested to understand why this is.

If you have the right to meet with the higher officers in your chain of command, that should be your first step. If you get their approval, this guy can take a hike and you will have his superiors OK. However if you make this a personal confilct between you and the officer, the higher command may decide that enforcing discipline is more important than what the dress code say's.

Plying graba$$ with the military in the US is not a game you will win usually mainly due to the fact that they OWN you for the term of your contract.

Do this with respect for yourself AND respect for your service and things will worjk out a lot better. Make it a personal attack on an individual officer and your odds of winning drop off greatly.

[AckZel]

Ok, some light to the situation because I think some of you misunderstood me. I am myself an ACTIVE officer, I work in the military. The guild is supported by military but is not an official military institution. It is voluntary work with reservists and other interested. You don't even have to be served in military to join. That what makes it difficult. Can my superiors say what to wear in voluntary association meetings where everyone is expected to wear civilian clothes, not uniforms? And this is only a matter of two small minded majors. Most retired officers (which there is most of members of guild) don't mind what I wear. Most of them said "Brave guy to have balls to wear kilt." I think ordering me wear pants as civilian clothes is restriction of individuals freedom. I have no problem wearing pants as uniform when I'm on duty. They pay me for it! But on freetime in voluntary work?

And cavscout, the reason to encourage to wear civilian clothes in guild meetings is because it is not on duty job. It is voluntary work with reservists and ex-military and only supported by military. It is meant to be casual type of thing.

I think I try the last minute idea. Next time I go in trousers. After the meeting we always go to sauna and take couple of beers. I just change in to kilt after sauna and if they have something to say about it I just answer that "Hey, the meeting is already ending! I'm just leaving!" And maybe I try to join some clan. Then I could show a paper to give me reason to wear it!

[Riverkilt]

Found a European Union tartan, that includes Finland...no clue where to get a kilt from it though. Might be tougher to hassle you over a patriotic kilt.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CChalmers/

Also have read that Finland has a history of bagpipes too...a long reach to kilts though.

Listen to your heart, you'll know what to do.

Ron