US Campaign Ribbons

[bigdad1]

"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."

I think it would be very wrong to follow British protocol to wear U.S. medals or ribbons. These three pages of posts have made it amply obvious that as usual when concerning mode of dress there are an infinite number of opinions with none proven dead correct. I have been to many events and seen many different approaches. One very good friend is a retired Marine Col. who wears mini-medals. Another is retired and wears only ribbons. I chose to wear ribbons on my PC or on a military style (Marine) shirt I sometimes wear. I am happy with the look and comfortable that I am not breaking any rules. I did after all earn my medals. And with that I will disagree with you and dress as I feel appropriate. Thank you for that option.

[Regnifne]

I think it would be very wrong to follow British protocol to wear U.S. medals or ribbons. These three pages of posts have made it amply obvious that as usual when concerning mode of dress there are an infinite number of opinions with none proven dead correct.

Second that motion. Even when awarded a foreign military medal/ribbon, it it still worn in accordance with US military guidelines (presuming it fits those guidelines). We are US Military members/vets, wearing a different form of civilian (in the US) attire. Highland dress would be classified as black/white tie and thus a dress outfit, depending on the wearer and situation, presumably, thus falling under guidelines for formal civilian attire. Even if I were in Scotland, I would follow US custom for display of my military awards (if the situation warranted the wearing of awards). I'm not a British citizen/vet.

And I'm a little lost about the reference to something I already mentioned (Ribbons are not ok on formal attire, medals are, IAW NavRegs). Maybe there is some confusion, ribbons and medals are NOT the same thing. . .

But again, the glory of this outfit and our country is the ability to wear an incredible garment, comfortably, and with pride. To elevate it to a formal status is admirable and respectful, and only makes sense to me that it fall in to the category of civilian formal attire and medals be displayed proudly! Option and opinion count, but in this case, a specific guideline pertains to the display, it's just the garment that is in question to some.

Motivate!

[Jock Scot]

Second that motion. Even when awarded a foreign military medal/ribbon, it it still worn in accordance with US military guidelines (presuming it fits those guidelines). We are US Military members/vets, wearing a different form of civilian (in the US) attire. Highland dress would be classified as black/white tie and thus a dress outfit, depending on the wearer and situation, presumably, thus falling under guidelines for formal civilian attire. Even if I were in Scotland, I would follow US custom for display of my military awards (if the situation warranted the wearing of awards). I'm not a British citizen/vet.

And I'm a little lost about the reference to something I already mentioned (Ribbons are not ok on formal attire, medals are, IAW NavRegs). Maybe there is some confusion, ribbons and medals are NOT the same thing. . .

But again, the glory of this outfit and our country is the ability to wear an incredible garment, comfortably, and with pride. To elevate it to a formal status is admirable and respectful, and only makes sense to me that it fall in to the category of civilian formal attire and medals be displayed proudly! Option and opinion count, but in this case, a specific guideline pertains to the display, it's just the garment that is in question to some.

Motivate!

I would not presume to give advice to American vets on how they should wear their decorations, but you are talking about the mixing of two traditions when you are adding the kilt into the equation.It is the kilt and its accompanying attire that I am interested in.

I have had it on good authority that the British definition of "dress" is different to US "dress". So to a Brit a suit is not "dress" to a Brit "dress" would start with formal "morning dress", or, morning suit(kilt, black barathea, silver buttons,Argyll) and is formal day wear. In most cases, to a Brit, "dress" starts with black tie dinner jacket(tux) or in Highland terms a PC jacket and accoutrements and then on up the
scale. I mention all this so that there should be no confusion between the two definitions of the word "dress". So to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

Interesting thread by the way.

[Bruce Scott]

...... to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

British veterans can be seen wearing medals with civilian day wear on any remembrance day.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

British veterans can be seen wearing medals with civilian day wear on any remembrance day.

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

[Redshank]

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

[Bruce Scott]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I could not agree more.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I'm glad you feel that way.

But, unfortunately, to those who do not wear their medals on their pajamas, or on Prince Charlie coatees at Highland games, it looks-- well, socially awkward. There is a thing called "correct form", and by and large all of us strive to observe it in our daily lives; "please" and "thank you" are two examples of correct form that most of us adhere to without giving it a second thought. The more one observes "correct form" the more one is generally regarded to be a lady or a gentleman.

Unless one is totally ignorant of the correct form regarding the wearing of medals with civilian attire, then the wearing of medals at inappropriate times, and at inappropriate places, seems to be nothing more than "showing off". It's as if the wearer is shouting, "Look at me, I've got medals, so you'd better pay attention to me." This cry for undeserved attention really shows a lack of respect for anyone else (and probably some self-esteem issues as well).

There is a time and a place where the wearing of medals is totally appropriate. It's just that pinned to a Prince Charlie coatee at the local Highland games isn't one of them.

[Geoff Withnell]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

And are those of following generations, who stepped forward to offer their lives as well somehow less deserving of respect? If they are indeed the "last of the few" then our civilization is indeed doomed, for only by the valor of rough men (and women) at the edges is the peace of the center preserved. I went to my Marine Corps League meeting Friday in Leatherneck kilt otherwise casual without ribbons. In a couple of weeks I will attend the Marine Corp Birthday Ball in kilt, argyle, waistcoat, white pleated tux shirt and my few miniature medals from my service with brave comrades on my jacket.

Geoff Withnell

[Bruce Scott]

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

Maybe? This is what he said:

I have had it on good authority that the British definition of "dress" is different to US "dress". So to a Brit a suit is not "dress" to a Brit "dress" would start with formal "morning dress", or, morning suit(kilt, black barathea, silver buttons,Argyll) and is formal day wear. In most cases, to a Brit, "dress" starts with black tie dinner jacket(tux) or in Highland terms a PC jacket and accoutrements and then on up the
scale. I mention all this so that there should be no confusion between the two definitions of the word "dress". So to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

I cannot presume to know exactly what he was thinking but clearly both kilted and trousered forms of dress are discussed and medals are most definitely worn on civilian day wear in Britain. That said, I agree that it would be extremely unlikely to see medals worn to events such as Highland games in Scotland. The wearing of campaign medals and awards with civilian day wear is generallly only to occasions such as Remembrance Day and battle commemorations.