Not appropriate for a soldier?

[Archangel]

Seems there's a loophole:

http://iwvpa.net/sizemoref/bagpiper.htm

Nope, been discussed in other threads. He is wearing a kilt when off-duty, in fact, he got a few kilts from advertisers here, I believe.

(...and how ignorant of the media to take American stereotypes and ignore black Scots...)

[Archangel]

Finland has a great martial tradition, but keep it very quiet. Correct me if I'm wrong but, basically, during WW2, Finland was at war with the whole world. She originally defended herself against the Russia/Germany alliance but when Russia joined the Allies, Finland refused to allow Russia any part in the Alliance. No Russian was allowed in Finland. It was a very brutal war using avalanches as weapons.

For those reasons, if my info is correct, I'd suggest the Cameron's as the last official kilt of WW2.

[Graham]

Well, I guess this will sound unsympathetic, but anyone in the military, police etc. is in an organisation whereby one has to live under an authority.

Personally, I will not do that. I'll not have my freedom, beliefs or conscience compromised or dictated by other men claiming authority over my life.

So if you're in such an organisation, I guess you'll have to comply, if you don't like it - leave, I am fairly sure you'll not change the system.

[macwilkin]

Finland has a great martial tradition, but keep it very quiet. Correct me if I'm wrong but, basically, during WW2, Finland was at war with the whole world. She originally defended herself against the Russia/Germany alliance but when Russia joined the Allies, Finland refused to allow Russia any part in the Alliance. No Russian was allowed in Finland. It was a very brutal war using avalanches as weapons.

For those reasons, if my info is correct, I'd suggest the Cameron's as the last official kilt of WW2.

Suggested Reading: William Trotter's "A Frozen Hell:The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940". The Finns fought two wars against the Russians; the Winter War and the "Continuation War", or World War Two, as well as the Lapland War in 1944-1945 against the Germans.

Trotter's book was one of the most riveting books I have read. I greatly admire the Finnish people, their gallantry and courage after reading it.

Now, as to potential tartans: I had a look in "The Mark of the Scots" by Duncan Bruce and he mentions two Scots soldiers-of-fortune with the name Ramsay; Hans Ramsay, who was a cavalry officer in the 1500's, and Anders Ramsay, who was commander-in-chief of Finnish military forces in the late 1800's.

I found theses artices about the Ramsays in Finland:

http://www.eddieramsay.com/finland_Ramsay's.htm

http://www.kolumbus.fi/andreas.ramsay/clan_eng.htm

http://www.geocities.com/rammac.geo/clan.htm

I would say that the Ramsay tartan would be a good choice for a Finn wishing to honour the links between Finland and Scotland, especially the "Ramsay Blue" tartan:

http://www.clanramsay.org/ramsblue.gif

And finally, for reference, the Clan Ramsay Society's web site:

http://www.clanramsay.org/

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Todd

[GMan]

Ackwell,

I cannot say much of anything to say, except what a "bummer".

It does sound like you have the idea after you are off duty.

[Archangel]

oh, yeah, sure, Todd, give references and all. blow my suggestion out of the water...and I was going to invite them into the McGregor clan.

BTW, that authority thing that keeps coming up, Ackwell is not under authority at the point in question. An officer is insisting on a policy that doesn't exist but Ackwell has to follow it, or face consequences later when the authority has an actual force. Do I have it right?

[Graham]

BTW, that authority thing that keeps coming up, Ackwell is not under authority at the point in question. An officer is insisting on a policy that doesn't exist but Ackwell has to follow it, or face consequences later when the authority has an actual force. Do I have it right?

Is there really any difference? Having survived 53 without being in the military I am not an expert.
If policy can be questioned freely before authority bares it's teeth, then I would say do it! if it's important.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Well, I guess this will sound unsympathetic, but anyone in the military, police etc. is in an organisation whereby one has to live under an authority.

Personally, I will not do that. I'll not have my freedom, beliefs or conscience compromised or dictated by other men claiming authority over my life.

So if you're in such an organisation, I guess you'll have to comply, if you don't like it - leave, I am fairly sure you'll not change the system.

Ackwell, I understand the pressures you are going to be under. Military service is unlike a traditional job wher you can quit and get another one whenever you feel like it (well, you could decide to leave, but it is not quite as simple as being employed by a company or corporation).

Graham, I find myself in the uncomfortable position of having to disagree with both the "High Protector of the Forum" and also someone whose views I have come to respect as they, mostly, mirror my own. However, in this case I have to disagree. You claim to not want to have your "freedoms, beliefs, or conscience compromised or dictated by other men". I can understand and symathize with that, but IMHO without Ackwell and all the others that have dedicated themselves to military service, or have died in the past defending our freedoms, we would have our freedoms, beliefs, etc. much more compromised, and possibly eliminated. I know, or believe based on your postings, that you are a pacifist and I would love for the world to be a place that every issue could be resolved peacefully, but we are not there yet, and I am not sure we ever will ever get there. Too many people with too many views that they feel are the "only" correct ones and have to convert the world, violently if necessary.

Sorry for the long, possibly controversial post. Mods, feel free to delete if this has crossed over the line.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

oh, yeah, sure, Todd, give references and all. blow my suggestion out of the water...and I was going to invite them into the McGregor clan.

BTW, that authority thing that keeps coming up, Ackwell is not under authority at the point in question. An officer is insisting on a policy that doesn't exist but Ackwell has to follow it, or face consequences later when the authority has an actual force. Do I have it right?

Archangel, I think that you have it right based on what Ackwell has said, but military service is much different from working for a company and getting a paycheck every week. Not saying it is right or wrong, but the foundation of any military organization is discipline and obeying the orders of a superior officer. You really can't view being a soldier as a 9-5 job. You are a soldier for the entire term of your enlistment, 24x7, even while you are theoretically "off-duty" (at least in the US). Granted, in a perfect world the Major(s) in question would express their opinion of Ackwell's civilian dress choices, provide some reason for the kilt being inappropriate, and then allow Ackwell to make his own decision without any "work place" consequences.

The other thing that I would like Ackwell to clarify is whether service in the guild is completely something he took on himself and "just happened" to meet one of his superiors there. That is one scenario and in that case, I would agree that his superior has absolutely no call to question anything he does, although Ackwell should still honor his service and behave as a gentleman (which I am sure he does). However, if service in the guild is something that is promoted by his superiors (and the military service he is part of), is expected of him to support and attend, and affects his superiors' perception of him, then I submit that it is really a "work" sponsored and mandated activity and taking note of his employers dress code in that situation is prudent.

[Archangel]

Archangel, I think that you have it right based on what Ackwell has said, but military service is much different from working for a company and getting a paycheck every week.

I understand that, I've had two jobs that were with the services while I stayed civvy. The real issue is how far removed is it from his job/service.

As an aside, I had a supervisor get insistent about a personal issue that was not work related and hard to get away from until he said the magic words...."who wears the pants in your house anyway?" To which I replied, "I'm from Scotland, I don't even understand the question." (He's seen me in the kilt.)
I left him banging his head on his desk.