Advice on a planned outfit for a parade. Servicemen please chime in.

**Mark Stephenson** · 15th March 11, 11:32 AM

In the U.S. I was under the impression that it is perfectly acceptable to wear a kilt with a shirt having one's service ribbons. Military-style shirts (without rank) look especially good and should not violate military customs.

**Spartan Tartan** · 15th March 11, 11:39 AM

Absolutely. Ribbons, awards/honors are fine. I'm referring to the mixture of uniform clothing and civilian clothing. It is a common practice to wear pins, medals and/or ribbons on a variety of civilain jackets and what have you.

**Spartan Tartan** · 15th March 11, 11:43 AM

For what it's worth, I don't claim to understand why awards are looked at differently. Rather just expressing my understanding. I reserve the right to be wrong

**Geoff Withnell** · 16th March 11, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

For what it's worth, I don't claim to understand why awards are looked at differently. Rather just expressing my understanding. I reserve the right to be wrong

Well, USMC regulations state that honorably discharged Vets may wear medals, ribbons and badges with civilian attire "at appropriate civic and patriotic occasions". I don't know about the other services, but I suspect they have similar regs. So if you earned it, flaunt it. I do know that a piper (active duty) played at the Retreat at 8th & I (USMC Hdqtrs) in a Leatherneck kilt and dress blue blouse.

**Whidbey78** · 16th March 11, 10:05 PM

I think, in most instances anyhow, the if thing are conducted in a respectful and dignified manner few if any will say boo about it. Many may actually appreciate someone tying their own heritage to it, such as a piper in blues and kilt. It's an honor that in a case like that goes both ways, just as it should! There probably isn't a country that isn't represented by someone in the US, which is just another amazing and unique part of our heritage. That's one of my avorite things about being American...we incorporate everyone and honor them all in our unique way, some as Americans and others as immigrants who honor the others in their traditional ways. The "melting pot" is awesome!

**Drac** · 15th March 11, 11:50 AM

I would agree that a jumper top and a kilt wouldn't be my choice but I go out of my way to avoid the dress whites (kind of hard as I'm an LPO of the Reserve Color Guard at Carswell). White polyester bell bottoms just aren't my thing. I'm not much more thrilled about the dress blues, not to mention DFW, dress blues, and Memorial Day, not a good idea.

On the medals and ribbons (with the help of here and another site) I did find the regs. We can only wear the minis on a black tie outfit. All others just autherize the lapel pins.

Are you a member of a VFW or similar? A polo with the garrison cap with a kilt would be sharp.

Jim

**Spartan Tartan** · 15th March 11, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Drac

On the medals and ribbons (with the help of here and another site) I did find the regs. We can only wear the minis on a black tie outfit. All others just autherize the lapel pins.

Are you a member of a VFW or similar? A polo with the garrison cap with a kilt would be sharp.

Jim

Thanks for the info. Interesting, I honestly didn't know that. Just seen it done.

**The Thirsty Viking** · 15th March 11, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Drac

I would agree that a jumper top and a kilt wouldn't be my choice but I go out of my way to avoid the dress whites (kind of hard as I'm an LPO of the Reserve Color Guard at Carswell). White polyester bell bottoms just aren't my thing. I'm not much more thrilled about the dress blues, not to mention DFW, dress blues, and Memorial Day, not a good idea.

On the medals and ribbons (with the help of here and another site) I did find the regs. We can only wear the minis on a black tie outfit. All others just autherize the lapel pins.

Are you a member of a VFW or similar? A polo with the garrison cap with a kilt would be sharp.

Jim

Does this also hold for Uniforms that are no longer in service and thus considered "surplus"?

I am not a member of the VFW, mostly because i have just never joined. lol. I have seen Many Service members in partial Uniform with Kilt. We regularly have Marines in there Charlie shirts with Leatherneck Tartan Kilt and hose. Alexis Malcolm has several examples. Granted many are taken at Formal functions. What I was thinking would be similar to the second pic on this page, of the Army Sgt. in his kilt and shirt.

http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.com/1089/1098.html