Troops told: we don’t have enough kilts ... just share

[Streetcar]

...maybe next the government will ask for kilt donations...

For the short term, would that be such a bad thing? I know in the U.S. there have been private donations of body armor, compasses, and other equipment for our troops. Is there some sort of...oh, I don't know...kilt donation fund in the U.K.?

[sav]

For those newer members, the "super-regiment" has been discussed quite a few times of this board, I'd encourage you to search for the threads as they were quite interesting. At any rate, a bit of history: In 1804, the British Gov't contemplated doing away with the kilt as a uniform for Scottish troops, causing an uproar. Col. Alan Cameron (79th Cameron Highlanders) defended the kilt thus:

"[the kilt has] free congenial circulation of pure wholesome air (as an exhilirating native bracer) which has hitherto so peculiarly benefitted the Highlander for activity, and all the other necessary qualities of a soldier, whether for hardship upon scanty fare, readiness in accoutring, or making forced marches &c., beside the advantage, when halted, of drenching his kilt in the next brook as well as washing his limbs, and drying both, as it were, by constant fanning, without injury to either, but on the contrary feeling clean and comfortable..."

My favorite quote from his plea:

"I sincerely hope His Royal Highness will never acquiesce in so painful and degrading an idea...as to strip us of our native garb...and stuff us in breeches!"

...A little history for inquiring minds.

[navycb]

I just saw this disturbing bit of news and figured that I would pass it on.

Scottish Troops Must Share Scarce Kilts
Monday, December 18, 2006 2:08 PM EST
The Associated Press
By BEN McCONVILLE
LONDON (AP) — Great Scot! A shortage of ceremonial kilts could leave thousands of soldiers without a stitch of plaid to wear as they parade to the skirl of the bagpipes.
Military officials said Monday that more than 5,000 Scottish soldiers are having to share their kilts because defense chiefs have not finalized a contract to buy enough of the garments to go around.
The men, who face regular tours of duty in south Iraq and Afghanistan, have just 320 kilts, or one for every 15 soldiers.
Combat troops wore the traditional Highland garb in battle as late as World War I, but now the plaid kilts are used in ceremonial uniform.
New kilts are needed for all Scottish soldiers following the August 2006 merger of centuries-old regiments into a single Royal Regiment of Scotland.
"A planned deployment of kilts will be agreed with the Royal Regiment of Scotland on a roll-out basis with ... the full program being completed by January 2008," a Ministry of Defense spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.
The Ministry of Defense has refused to say who has won the contract to supply the kilts; in the meantime, soldiers will have to share.
The 320 kilts provided so far have been supplied by Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts on a trial basis. The full contract is worth up to $1.95 million, taking two years to complete and will involve 15,000 yards of fabric.
"The kilt is psychologically important for the identity of Scottish soldiers," said Lt. Col. Willy Macnair, who served in the defunct Queen's Own Highlander regiment. "It may mean that some soldiers in this (new) regiment, by the time they leave, may never have worn it."
Scottish lawmakers and veterans had opposed the merger of the traditional regiments, which saw action in both world wars and the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa.

Keith

[beloitpiper]

This has already been posted in the "Kilts in the Media" section.

[bubba]

I know in the U.S. there have been private donations of body armor, compasses,

Unfortunately, the DoD ruled the troops couldn't use anything but the issue body armor and any soldier wounded wearing any other would lose all medical benefit. Better dead than show how inept the DoD is.

[Colin]

OK guys, please try and have a glance to see if anyone else has already posted the same article. Typically when an article like this one comes out, people want to post about it and share with the rest of us. Thank you, I appreciate it, but please just do a quick check to make sure it hasn't been covered in the past few minutes.

We have had 4 threads started within the last 5 hours all regarding the exact same bit of information with similar titles. All four threads have been merged into this one. All future ones will be deleted so that we don't have a dozen threads on the same topic.

[filman]

i was under the empreshion that all the kilts the soilders wore were tailered to them.. so how can they share 1 kilt with 15 people

[RedDevilWill]

The previously issued kilts - whomever was producing the last batch, prior to the current dust-up - provided to troops, were they returned and destroyed or is that batch still floating about?

Will Emero II

[Frank MacDuffy]

What a shame to see tradition thrown 'way. What a shame. Makes my blood boil! That's about as close as I can go to posting my own words!

[Frank McGrath]

I wonder if I can get the Saran Wrap contract. Who would I contact?