Navy Tartan Question

**Donnie** · 9th January 11, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

In general usage, I've only known the Polaris tartan to be worn by those with direct affiliation to Holy Loch/Polaris. On the other hand, I've seen the Edzell tartan worn by anyone affiliated with the US Navy.

My daughter plays tenor drum in the US Naval Accademy Pipe Band. they Wear the Polaris Tartan, simply because the person that started the pipe band picked it as the tartan they would wear. I have heard that only submariners could wear it, but how do you enforce anything like that. I think that the wearing of any tartan honors the origines of said tartan.

**fluter** · 8th January 11, 07:46 PM

The Edzell tartan and its story are pretty interesting.

I have read that it contains colors representing each of the 4 US branches, all of whom had some presence in the USN unit at RAF Edzell. The dark blue for Army, medium (the marl) for Navy, lighter blue for USAF, and the red stripe for USMC. Which does make one wonder what sort of mission at a radar base would involve all 4 services...

The tartan design by Strathmore was instigated by the USN commanding officer's wife, to commemmorate some substantial period their unit had been in place (20-plus years), a sort of hands-across-the-sea gesture.

Under duress, I can probably come up with a reference for some of the above!

Edzell tartan:

tobermoryXedzell by arcturus1997, on Flickr

**Whidbey78** · 9th January 11, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by fluter

Which does make one wonder what sort of mission at a radar base would involve all 4 services...

Joint Ops are much more common than most folks think. In my six years active duty I spent most of my time on joint operations. My first two squadrons did a lot of in-country work with the USMC, and then with ELU I was I-level support for expeditionary EA-6B squadrons assigned to the USAF.

With all the time I spent working with other branches and seeing how they do business, I have to say that I enjoyed working with Marines over everyone else, though most of us squids would disagree.

**Riverkilt** · 9th January 11, 12:39 AM

Well, if L.L. Bean calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" and Rocky calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" then that must be the "most" official Navy tartan...God help me I did once wear the shirt and the kilt at the same time....

MAN OVERBOARD!!

**sydnie7** · 9th January 11, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Well, if L.L. Bean calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" and Rocky calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" then that must be the "most" official Navy tartan...God help me I did once wear the shirt and the kilt at the same time.... [snip]

Ron, tell me that you were still drinking at the time. . .

There's no other excuse!

**Detroitpete** · 9th January 11, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Well, if L.L. Bean calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" and Rocky calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" then that must be the "most" official Navy tartan...God help me I did once wear the shirt and the kilt at the same time....

MAN OVERBOARD!!

Now Ron, THAT'S doin' the Navy proud!

**Gunny5711** · 9th January 11, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Well, if L.L. Bean calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" and Rocky calls the Edzell tartan "Navy" then that must be the "most" official Navy tartan...God help me I did once wear the shirt and the kilt at the same time....

MAN OVERBOARD!!

I think I'd wear the shirt before I'd put those shoes on. Those are pretty frightening.

**fluter** · 9th January 11, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Gunny5711

I think I'd wear the shirt before I'd put those shoes on. Those are pretty frightening.

On a given day, I'll wear whatever does not make my feet hurt. I'm sure that cousin Ron follows the same precept. I have been seen at the games in Teva sandals with oatmeal kilt hose.

The last few weeks, it's been an air splint bootie on the right foot, and a snow boot on the left!

It's the closest match to the height of the sole on the boot, which is made to rock since it immobilizes the ankle.

I go for my last X-ray tomorrow a.m. & hopefully the old metatarsal will get a clean bill of health. I really do need to get a picture of that ensemble!

**FatherWilliam57** · 30th June 11, 09:02 AM

Great, like my tartan list wasn't long enough already! Guess I have to add Edzell to my list. (DetroitPete, I was a CT as well, "R" brancher, '81-'86. What branch were you?)