Wearing Your Medals With Your Kilt

[macwilkin]

I'm curious about something. My first image of those in civilian garb wearing their military medals is of Russians. Would their traditions and experience in this matter have as much relevance as that of members of the British Commonwealth?

If you're talking about wearing medals with Highland attire, then the British Commonwealth example would be the most appropriate, given the many Scottish regiments that served with the various Commonwealth forces over the years.

Regards,

Todd

[ChromeScholar]

In the past I know of no time that US civilians have normally worn the full gong. This may change.

That's the entire point of the VA program. They are trying to let people know that it is fine to wear your medals on specific occasions.

[Fedgunner]

I was in the Army for three years... I have no medals... tho they offered me my good conduct if I re-enlisted...LOL

[ccga3359]

For Remembrance Day services our veterans have always worn their medal on blazers. By wearing them they remind us, the more fortunate who never had to go to war, of their sacrifices for us. They earned them.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Hmm. Maybe I should get a ribbon bar to wear on my scrubs on such occasions....

[Riverkilt]

Tell you what....I like the idea so I can know who to thank.

Semper Fi,

Ron
Cold Warrior
No medals, dang lucky to escape with an honorable discharge...

[davedove]

I like the idea of wearing the medals, but I will add that they should be worn properly. That means if you're going to be wearing the full sized medals (or miniatures) there are rules on how they should be worn.

That being said, there are also hatpins and lapel pins for wear at other times.

There is a remarkably small percentage of people in the US that have served these days. I think it's a great way to show everyone else just who they have to thank.

[Riverkilt]

Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that I encountered the link to the VA's promoting vets wearing medals on a WWII Army Air Corps forum that I'm active on. Seems to be a veterans rooted initiative.

Ron

[SergeantFirstClass]

It would seem to me that American's are xenophobic or find that wearing medals is pretentious. This is from asking other vets. Perhaps this was caused by Viet Nam and Korea era troops returning home and their lack of a warm welcome. Perhaps it could be the presumed pretentiousness seen by those outside the armed forces (not all are that way, nor am I insinuating it) but I personally have encountered civilians questioning my integrity on wearing my minatures. Perhaps it's like the European look at keeping the cigar ring on the cigar while smoking as being a show off.....Americans generally leave the ring on for conversational purposes, I'm digressing. As I am currently serving, I am limited as to what I can wear. Perhaps when I retire I might wear the full size gongs, but two branches, two wars and 20 years of service, I look more like Generalisimo Santa Ana (no offence McJore) than a regular joe. Anyway, these are my thoughts on this subject. Xenophobia exists everywhere.

[James MacMillan]

Xenophobic? Me? No I don't think so. I can truly say that I am not afraid to wear my awards. I just don’t see any real reason to.

My reluctance to wearing my medals with civilian clothes may stem from a desire not to brag or show off. I see no reason to do that.

At the special times that the VA says that it is supposedly OK, I will be with others who also served. We know what we did. We don't need to shout it out.

Don't take this wrong, but when a civilian sees me decked out in my finery, do I want him to come up to me and say thanks? No. That's not why I served.

And yes, after 33 years in the Corps, several conflicts, I have a lot of medals. Close to half of them are "I been there" medals. Some were awarded for superior performance and a couple for doing stupid things in dangerous circumstances. But - Can the average civilian recognize the significance of the different awards? NO.

The only time that I would feel comfortable wearing my awards, would be at a gathering of other servicemen. When everyone is wearing their stuff.

Would I wear my “gongs” to watch a parade? No. Would I wear them at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball with my full PC? Yes.

Again, I’m not cutting down the average civilian (well maybe I am) but they haven’t been there, and they don’t understand.