Semper Fi!

[Dale Seago]

Step up vets! Tell us about your service and how it relates to / is expessed by kilting.

The fact that various setts have been designed for our armed forces (even though, probably appropriately, the respective service branches do not officially recognize them) affords me yet another way of expressing pride and affiliation. I have kilts now in both Leatherneck and US Army: I was an enlisted Marine before I fell to the Dark Side and got an Army commission.

[Sir William]

The fact that various setts have been designed for our armed forces (even though, probably appropriately, the respective service branches do not officially recognize them) affords me yet another way of expressing pride and affiliation. I have kilts now in both Leatherneck and US Army: I was an enlisted Marine before I fell to the Dark Side and got an Army commission.

Well done! I was enlisted Marine before taking a Navy commission. But then I did an inter-service transfer back to the Marines.

After active duty I worked as both an Army and Air Force civilian.

I only have a Leatherneck tartan kilt though since that is the service I retired from.

[thescot]

WBHenry: being small is one of the reasons.

But then, only in the USMC is the history of the organization so important a part of the indoctrination. Every Marins can quote dates and battles and events in the history of the Corps, and the accoutrements are an important part of the mystique.

Believe me, without USMC training, you will never get it. Ha.

Oh, yeah, I have a Leatherneck tartan kilt, and I just bought one for my newest grandson.

[FatherWilliam57]

I worked with Radio Battalion Marines and get the notion that Marines may be more prone to purchase items to exhibit their pride. But that doesn't explain to me why a good capitalist manufacturer would seemingly ignore the rest of the military/veteran market. To each his own, I suppose...

[O'Searcaigh]

WBHenry: being small is one of the reasons.

But then, only in the USMC is the history of the organization so important a part of the indoctrination. Every Marins can quote dates and battles and events in the history of the Corps, and the accoutrements are an important part of the mystique.

Believe me, without USMC training, you will never get it. Ha.

Oh, yeah, I have a Leatherneck tartan kilt, and I just bought one for my newest grandson.

Hmmm... interesting take but my son (actually grandson but we raised him from before he was two) recently graduated boot camp (now in Naval Nuclear Power School) was rightly "instructed" that the Navy is the "most traditional" of the services and was taught not only U.S. Naval history, battles and sayings ("Damn the torpedoes..." "... have not yet begun to fight..." etc.) but also "naval traditions" going back to the British and other navies. He can sing "Anchors Aweigh" and the "Navy Hymn" in all verses, quote standing orders, the Navy Creed.... etc. etc. etc. Besides being in the Navy I served for a while with the Coast Guard (lots of "inter-service jokes with them and the Navy as well but a proud but largely ignored service). Each of the service branches have their own personalities and "mystique," if you will, but all equally serve and all equally deserving of pride. BTW, my step son was in the Marines -- "Once a Marine, always a Marine" -- Deep inside, I feel that way about the Navy too -- "Once a Sailor, always a Sailor!"

[Dusty]

I am a 29 year Retired SFC Army vet and my daughter is currently serving in the Air Force 6 years. I wear the USMC Leatherneck in honor of my father that faught at Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He was a recipient of a Bronze Start and Purple Heart.

[The farqcom]

Spent 5yrs in the USCG, Lifeboats, Vietnam, 82ft cutters. Wear CG kilt pin, CG regimental tie with Farquharson modern for dressier affairs. CG tartan as worn by the CG pipe band just too much for me. Son's father-in-law is a no longer active Marine. I really like the Leatherneck colors and the pride those who wear it show. Sgt. Grit has more things Marine than I ever seen. Lament the lack of CG push to do more of that type of thing.
"Semper Paratus"

[cryerelizabeth]

I'm not currently in the service, but I think I'll brag on the rest of my family

To start off, my families military history goes back to the French and Indian War, do there's a lot going on between then and now.

My dad was (is) a marine, and I'm currently trying to get the leatherneck tartan, or the new marine cammie canvas fabric so that I can make him a kilt. (He worships the Sgt. Gritt magazine too)

My mom was in the air force.

My identical twin sisters (I'm a triplet, I'm fraternal and they are identical) have joined the national guard and have just left for North Georgia College and State University. I'm trying to get some Cunningham tartan for them to make them kilts.

I'm in the Civil Air Patrol right now. It's an Air Force Auxilary, but it's a civilian volunteer thing. Im the leadership officer, communications trainee, and deputy cadet commander trainee. It's great because I get to help young adults and teenagers learn military bearing and leadership skills and all other kinds of handy things . My sisters and I also had 4 years in a JROTC Honor Unit With Distinction.

My youngest sister has just signed her papers for the Marines, and will be leaving in July for her boot camp. She wants me to make her a leatherneck mini kilt.

There you have it ;) Thank you all the other vets on the forum and around the world for you services!

[Detroitpete]

Eight year veteran of the US Navy. Was a Crypto that went SWCC. Served primarily with Specwar units, MIUW trainer and with Marines and SEALs. I proudly wear the Navy Edzell tartan and will never wear the Letherneck due to my respect for the Marines and the fact I never earned or wore the EGA. Semper Fi, Mack.

[Bill aka Mole]

Marine Taxi Electrician here. Other than being prepared for being oddly dressed, no connection between the two. Edzell is a nice tartan but is too lightly colored for me according to my missus.