A question for veterans?

[J Pendleton]

BD,

I see you've done your homework. As you found out, the Leatherneck Tartan is not considered "official" and as far as I know, only the Coast Guard Tartan is at this time. I hoped it would be but it was with the help of other Coast Guard personnel that it became so. To me, it does not lessen the meaning behind the tartan. Trust me, I know when I walk by a Leatherneck Tartan and I usually greet one with "Semper Fi"!!!

An interesting point that came up was the LL Bean shirts (I had nothing to do with that). But really, what it the difference? I know, for me, when I designed it, I was using a "family" (clan) approach. Just as the wearing of traditional tartans indicates a link to a particular clan in some way, it was that mindset I had when creating the Coast Guard tartan. Yes, I wanted it for the obvious - all those who serve or have served in the Coast Guard in some way, but what of those family members who stood fast during deployments and sea time? How many children, spouses, parents, relatives have supported their Coast Guard service member?

To me it was a way to say, "I'm one of the many threads that runs through the kilt". Nobody goes it alone. So when a person wears the Coast Guard tartan, whether an LL Bean shirt, a tie or a kilt, someone may shout, "Semper Paratus!" or query as to how they might be one of the 'threads'. I guess the only thing I would say to someone outside of those mentioned is just be aware, the curious will inquire. It could be because they know it (and the military tartans are becoming well known) or it could be because someone is curious about it. I know when I wear my kilt, I am often questioned.

The CG tartan has a history which is posted on the Coast Guard Pipe Band's website at www.uscgpipeband.org for anyone who is curious.

Many thanks for allowing to throw my two cents into the pot~

[Pancho]

"It is important to understand that one does not have to be Scottish to wear the Tartan, but you do have to be Active, Reserve, Auxiliary, Retired or an immediate family member of the foregoing to make up our Coast Guard family. Each individual contributes to the Coast Guard Family and each member represents a thread ... we do not stand alone. This is what makes our Coast Guard family so special.

This young country, being as diverse as it is, learned early that so many nations have much to offer. We adopt ideas and traditions from many countries. The use of a Tartan, recognizing a school, organization or branch of the military in the U.S. has become commonplace. Now, the U.S. Coast Guard has its own; to be used the way it was hundreds of years ago in Scotland as a way to identify one as a member in the Coast Guard 'Clan.'"

I'm not real sure but the above quote from the USCG pipe band site seems to say that the USCG tartan should be worn only by a member of the Coast Guard family. That would make it different than the other US military tartans. Maybe because of its designation as "official"? I'm certainly not being critical....just wondering.

[J Pendleton]

No criticism taken. This is uncharted territory to me. I'm certainly in no position to tell someone they can or can't wear a particular tartan but when it I was working on this project, I didn't ever think anyone aside from someone with ties to the Coast Guard would be interested in it. The Coast Guard is an officially recognized tartan; with my understanding that if a person is piping as a member of the Coast Guard Pipe Band or in an official capacity (in uniform), the tartan worn would be the U.S. Coast Guard tartan.

Back when this was rolling around in my head, we had gone to enough Highland Games over the years to see what was so impressive was this "connection" - how people would be drawn to another because they would see they wore the same clan tartan.

I knew there were military tartans - it was at the Highland Games at Loon Mountain, NH that I saw the West Point Tartan via their pipe band (from what I had heard, very restricted, requiring proof of Academy service, but don't know for certain).

So when I went to work on this, it was with the full intention that it was with the hopes of it being official but to where anyone with a connection could wear it but of course, civilians would not attach any Coast Guard insignia or give inclination of serving or having served. If the tartan became recognized enough, it was their way of saying "I'm connected too".

I've had fellow Coasties come up to my husband and I, recognizing the tartan. We are a small service (with a big job!) so we usually find they've been stationed with my husband or knew me many years ago. We reconnect.

But I digress. I know I haven't really answered anyone's question as to whether it's proper or improper, I know. I can only say, if you wear a tartan because you like it, you have to be prepared that people will inquire as to the connection. It's natural, given what all tartans represent.

[jbaker42j]

My two pence as a Marine vet(still serving, just air force now!)...

Wear it respectfully, and if I see you in it, I will shake your hand. Dishonor the colors, and we will have a chat. While some things military should not be worn by those who have not served, i.e. a green beret for instance, the tartan is not one of them. I like the fact that non-vets want to respect the finest miliary branch in the world.

Birddog

For Shame Birddog, I know this is bringing up old post but I keep reading that the search tool is my bestfriend and I found this. Talking about respect and saying you are JUST in the Air Force. You must mean the World's Greatest Air Force. I'll have to send a memo to the families of Airmen that were KIA and let them know that thier loved ones ONLY served in the USAF.

Im pretty much messin around with a fellow vet, but seriously these days its pretty easy to get confused about what branch you are in anyway. I was in the Air Force, trained by and with Marines, and then attached to the 25th ID SF in Afghanistan.

Anyway as far as the original topic goes.... wear it with respect, honor the fallen, the ones that they left behind, the ones that that served and those that are still serving.

[Birddog]

Now Baker, you read that wrong. The word "just" isn't implying just the air force, but the fact that as a Marine, I am now in the Air Force, no longer the Marine Corps. Darned right it's the best! By the way, you gonna try Navy next, or Coast Guard? When were you in Afghanistan? Spent a few days here and there at Bagram back in 05-06.

To the original poster of this thread, hope all of our thougths, other than the occasional digression, were helpful. Now go out and get that Leatherneck kilt! Thats an order!

[jbaker42j]

You know I had to poke you in the ribs! Spent a few days passing through Bagram too in 04-05 then was at FOB Salerno aka Rocket City. Thats where Pat Tilman (as well as others) died. I was a Fire Dawg but when you are on top of a Fire Truck with your weapon your mindset sorta changes. Yeah Im pretty proud of the Air Force! The tartan is a beaut...I hope to one day wear it! (after I get enough money for my MacMillan) Good Luck to you in the Air Force we can always use some Marines to come in and shake things up! Hoorah Air Force!

[Birddog]

Yea, I like the AF tartan; next year I'm gonna get one. Hopefully, we can convince Jerry at SWK to carry it in the standard or heavyweights! I have one of the members making me an x-kilt in desert marpat; might have to have him make me one in the new ABU!

[Stratherrick]

Going back to the original question, you can choose your tartan, if not your wars.

Personally, I'd feel odd wearing a tartan specifically designed for a regiment, even if the regiment, or whatever you call it on your side of the pond, don't, themselves, recognise it. Having said that, my only kilt is an Ancient Hunting Fraser adopted by the Lovat Scouts! The difference, I suppose, is that it was a clan tartan first before the army began to use it for military purposes.

By joining these boards I'm having to get my head around many practices that I find peculiar - non-tartan kilts, wearing odd footwear with kilts, non-wool kilts etc - which, I feel, I'm beginning to get used to. The hardest thing for me has been hearing of folks buying and wearing a kilt with a tartan that isn't associated with their family. To me, that still seems rather odd, but only because I've never encountered people who wear tartan for fashion or as collectable items. Maybe it's one of those reserved 'British' things?

But, if nowt else, we both live in, relatively, free countries so wear what makes you feel good. As others have said, so long as you're not trying to pass yourself off as a marine, few folks would get annoyed, I'd imagine.

As for wearing checking on Glengarry's, that's another matter entirely!

Cheers

Bruce