Military 'complaints' about my balmoral

[hospitaller]

Several weeks ago bought a very nice WWI Canadian Khaki Balmoral from www.glengarryhats.com and I am loving it.

Thing is, yesterday it was cloudy, slightly drizzy and cool, so I thought I would wear it, so I did.

Went to work with it, people loved it, it completes the look, now I understand why Panache and Glen love theirs so much.

Anyway, after work wife asked me to stop by the store and get some supplies so I did, and while there, a couple of military looking guys approached me to talk about the kilt and the look (one of them is a UK owner).

Then the conversation switched to how they were Army Rangers (there is a NG depot right across the store which is currently deployed to the sandbox) and they were wondering if I was one as well, and if not why was I wearing 'their beret'.

That took me by surprise because, the color of my balmoral is darker than the Ranger beret, my balmoral has a wool pompom, and I was also wearing my Clan badge in it.

So after telling them all of the above, they relented for a bit, all friendly but then they left me with this odd send-off:

'Be careful wearing that beret, it may get you in trouble'

I mean...c'mon...really?

[JRB]

...but then they left me with this odd send-off:
'Be careful wearing that beret, it may get you in trouble'...

All I've got to say to that is....

[davedove]

I don't believe you'll get in any trouble; however, you will probably have a repeat of what happened to you. Military folks are fairly possessive of their symbols and the Ranger beret is one of those.

From a distance, your balmoral may be confused for a Ranger beret, and Rangers may approach you, thinking you are one of them. So, be prepared to explain.

[george7]

I think they ought to take more pride in their ranger beret, since they earned it... then take notice that it is not the same hat.

[Jock Scot]

Perhaps a wee tad of understanding may help,they are off to lord knows what or have been to lord knows where.A friendly explanation about your balmoral would maybe(it did) work wonders. They are, after all, defending your right to wear what you like.

[Kerr the Walker]

Here here Jock

By no means a jab at you Hospitaller. Those guys may have been doing you more of a favor than you think. I know some Rangers, and they are an extremely proud lot. While those guys seemed understanding once you explained it, others might not take the same tack...especially after a pint or four.

Side note: GREAT looking balmoral!

[hospitaller]

I think they ought to take more pride in their ranger beret, since they earned it... then take notice that it is not the same hat.

Apparently they thought I had hand sewn the wool pompom on top of it, but still, the color is darker so it still caught me by surprise.

[george7]

In the US Air Force, the beret's are almost always black, and they would hardly be able to confuse them for my balmoral. The US forces have a patch on the front and it fits quite differently than a balmoral.

[Spc. Scott]

Different color...pom-pom on top (toorie right?).

Yeah I think you'll be fine Hector. My bet is that they would spot it from a mile off and know it isn't the same. And if the ranger is wearing his beret in such a way as to be anything close to how a balmoral fits he's likely to be in a front leaning rest postion and unable to question you a bit.

I was think of getting one in SF green myself.

[Highland Logan]

Or maybe they knew the difference, and were just screwing with with the "odd looking" guy, and keeping you off balance by refering to how your head dress looked like theirs.

Frank