Military 'complaints' about my balmoral

**kiltedmapleleaf** · 14th September 08, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Nervous Jock

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!!!!!

**JRB** · 14th September 08, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Nervous Jock

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.

Actually, the person who physically attacks someone for calling their headwear a hat would be the starter of the fight (no matter what group they belong to).

**Jock Scot** · 14th September 08, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

Actually, the person who physically attacks someone for calling their headwear a hat would be the starter of the fight (no matter what group they belong to).

I have to say that has never bothered the RM or the paras!

Starting a fight that is!

**Jock Scot** · 10th September 08, 08:26 AM

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** · 10th September 08, 08:36 AM

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!

**george7** · 10th September 08, 09:03 AM

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** · 10th September 08, 09:05 AM

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.

**Tommy Hunt** · 10th September 08, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by 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?

I think some clearity is called for here. It's misguided attitudes like theirs that will get someone in trouble one day.

**cavscout** · 10th September 08, 09:36 AM

Wear and enjoy your balmoral. It was an honest mistake on their part and I'm sure after they understood it was not an actual beret the "advise" was more playful than anything else. Considering the origins of much of our kilt outfits are from the military this is a common situation to be ready for though, even if it is just from a curious civilian.

**Brave Andrew** · 10th September 08, 09:54 AM

Dear Hospitaller,

You seem to have a run in with your locals whilst kilted.
With respect to all Military Personal, it sounds like they might have been giving you a hazing/fagging/ taking a piss, as your Bunnet should Not be mistaken for a Rangers Beret, by a Ranger!
Politely stand your ground and say you do not wish to offend and respect their service, It is a Scottish/ Canadian Balmoral not a Ranger Beret.
Please help me understand, What do you mean by that Warning?
(A good Idea to heed a warning)
If it was meant to chastise, ask who their C.O. is (next time).
Or Better Yet wear a Ballcap!