US Campaign Ribbons

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There are lots of military regulations-- Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine, US Public Health Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Survey, etc. But none of them really provide a true civilian model, especially for those wearing Highland attire. What may look acceptable when in uniform may look quite uneducated when applied to civilian modes of dress.

Since we are taking about Highland dress, and in this instance formal, traditional, Highland dress at that, I would suggest that the socially best course of action, when kilted, might be to follow the British protocols for wearing Orders, Decorations, and Medals with civilian evening attire.

Undoubtedly there will be some who may disagree with me and they are, of course, free to dress as they think may be appropriate.

As far as wearing ribbons on a Price Charlie is concerned, the Naval Regs cited above (Section 7- The Wearing of Awards on Civilian Clothes; Paragraph (a.) Miniature Medals and Miniature Breast Insignia) make it clear that while miniature-size medals may be worn, ribbons are NOT worn with white tie or black tie. That being the case, and since the Prince Charlie coatee is not an item of daytime attire, it would be contrary to Navy Regs regarding the wearing of medals by retired, or former, Navy personnel to wear ribbons on a Prince Charlie coatee.