Military 'complaints' about my balmoral

[hospitaller]

One account says that after the US Rangers trained with their British Commando counterparts at the Commando school at Achnacarry, Scotland, the Rangers were authorized to wear the British Commando Green Beret with a "flash" or square of Cameron of Erracht tartan (Achnacarry is Cameron country) --- but it was never approved by the higher-ups.

Regards,

Todd

This is somewhat interesting for a couple of reasons that I will detail:

1. As you may know, I am a WWII Reenactor and the one and only unit that has picked my interest is precisely (coincidentally?) the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion.
2. Because of the extensive research done about this specific unit, I ended up being an honorary member of the WWII Rangers Sons & Daughters Association.
3. During the 2004 Ranger Battalions Reunion in Ft. Wayne, IN we were invited to attend by the surviving members of the 5th RIB and of course we (about 15 of us) showed up in our WWII gear, brought everything we had for the vets to reminisce and enjoy.

4. After a couple of days talking with roughly 50 surviving Rangers from all 6 Battalions, we came out with a lot of first hand history and accounts, one of them being the story of the 1st RIB training with the Commandos at Achnacarry, stationed at both Kanes and Tighnabruaich. Their direct training was supervised not by the Commandos, but by the Scottish Rifles Cameronian Regiment, and indeed, when they completed their course, they were given a Black Beret, a Commando patch, a knife and a Cameronian Patch.

5. The US Army did not originally intend to have the 1st RIB function as a standalone unit but rather disband them and augment the force by mixing the new 'Commandos' within the regular Companies, Battalions and Regiments (a la 29th Ranger Regiment) so there was never an effort to have an insignia developed.

6. When it became clear the 1st RIB would be more effective as a standalone unit, it was decided to have an insignia, and not wanting to go with either Commandos or using the Cameronian insignia, they developed one of their own... the Ranger Scroll, which has remained essentially unchanged until now.

7. At the end of the 2004 Reunion, we were called aside by the vets of the 5th RIB (which we 'reenact') and were given both a Scroll and a Ranger Diamond patch and made honorary 5th Rangers.






Yours truly on the right. The guy on the left is a real life Ranger, who also reenacts the 5th RIB


With all this said, I will also offer some of my personal history, I was in the Chilean Army for a 2 year stint as a Paratrooper with the 2nd Para Battalion, and after that I enrolled in the Air Force Academy from where I graduated as an ECM officer. Served 4 years and that was that.

I would never pretend to wear a Ranger beret, or wear any of the Ranger patches we were 'invested' with by the 5th RIB vets even though they would want us to. As much as I personally appreciate those 'ole SOB'.

And on the other hand, I did earn my Paratrooper Black Beret and Wings, which I'm still debating about pinning to my new Balmoral.

I guess what im trying to say is, IF, IF I ever wear anything 'military' it will be based on my own service, and if it offends anyone because the colors are the same or the wings are this or that, well, I'm sorry, but I'm still wearing my earned items.

wow, what a long reply, sorry!

[Jock Scot]

One account says that after the US Rangers trained with their British Commando counterparts at the Commando school at Achnacarry, Scotland, the Rangers were authorized to wear the British Commando Green Beret with a "flash" or square of Cameron of Erracht tartan (Achnacarry is Cameron country) --- but it was never approved by the higher-ups.

Regards,

Todd

I remember the Rangers well! They were a tough outfit, but they really disliked the combination of our midgies and rain! I well remember talking to a Ranger veteran,years later at the Commando Monument, who thought that the combination of those hazards and British instructors prepared him for anything! Strangely enough we dug up some live 30-06 ammo the other day which must have belonged to the Rangers as "we" used .303 ammo-----we find loads of that,still!

[Highland Logan]

...we dug up some live 30-06 ammo the other day which must have belonged to the Rangers as "we" used .303 ammo-----we find loads of that,still!

Just imagine the poor buggers in France.. they still find arty shells from the Great War, well ploughing their fields.

Frank

[Brave Andrew]

Right On Hector,
Thanks for sharing the extra details and the Photo of you with the Ranger Vets of WWII.
God Bless Them!

[Birddog]

Hector, I've been in your shoes when I wore my Royal Marines Commando beret. A couple of SF guys thought I was wearing their beret. I showed them the badge, explained that I am an honorary RM, and a former Marine. While talking to those two, another guy questioned me about the beret, with not the nicest tone, and the others defended me. If they couldn't tell the difference between a balmoral and a beret, they need their eyes checked. I think you handled it perfectly, but I agree, you will probably answer this question again.

I think you should not wear your wings on your balmoral. I think you should wear your beret with your wings, and wear them with pride! Having worked with the Chilean AF and their version of SF(sorry, forget the exact name), I would buy you a beer in a second seeing those! Loved working with those guys! Besides, a beret looks good with the kilt IMO.

[puffer]

Well, here's my two cents worth. It's been my experience after almost 18 years in the Army (and still going) that the people who question someone's attire HAVEN'T been there/ done that. If you were in uniform, I would understand. But to be standing in obvious civilian attire, that was uncalled for. The two Soldiers you spoke to were probably either new or haven't been Rangers very long. And they either haven't been "down range" yet, or they're getting ready to go for the first time. It's the "I'm a bad *** Ranger" attitude. Real Rangers and SF operators like the guys I work with are quiet professionals. They're very good at what they do, they know they're good, and don't need to show off. You ran into what we call "PX Rangers". Guys who go and buy all the pretty stuff to put on their uniforms whether they earned it or not. Sorry for the rant, but unprofessional Soldiers really chaps by butt.

DITTO -

But on a more "HUMOROUS" note, In the VERY early 60s, I wore a "Green Beanie" At this date, Berets wer not "official" & rarely seen. I took a lot of "kidding" about being a "Frog" or a Brit. (no offence guys) How did I handle it ?? I just looked them up & down, smiled, shook my head & ignored them.

BTW - look @ my "avatar"
PUFFER

[Thunderbolt]

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.

I believe they were over-reacting as well.

However, they (Rangers) were stung by the Army several years ago when the black beret was authorized for everyone to wear. So, I would imagine that the Rangers are very defensive of "their" (the Khaki one) berets now as well.

Right or wrong, I'm just sayin'....

T.

[Nervous Jock]

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.

word to the wise, if you call anyone military's headdress in the Uk a "hat" you will probably start a fight espec if they are RM or PARA.

[kiltedmapleleaf]

word to the wise, if you call anyone military's headdress in the Uk a "hat" you will probably start a fight espec if they are RM or PARA.

good point nervous jock, having spend some time in Aldershot in the early nineties, being a"hat" wasn't fun!!!!!

[Highlander31]

I agree it's the remfs (I am NOT going to translate) that will question you, unless you are obviously wearing something you have no right to.

Geoff Withnell

I agree,...and no translation needed here.