fly plaid and military uniform

[Father Bill]

Guys - is the problem here the mixing of two traditions?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Guys - is the problem here the mixing of two traditions?

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

[Father Bill]

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

Well said. I was referring to the mixing of American and Highland traditions as a source of a small but resolveable conflict.

[Geoff Withnell]

Agreed. Primarily a non-issue. I concur with not normally wearing decorations as non-active duty to a wedding. It just seems a little out of place. I might, if it was a formal military wedding in a base chapel. The most mmm interesting wear of medal with civilian attire I have seen is the young lady I got a glimpse of a couple of years ago at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Strapless formal gown, with her minature medals fastened to a satin sash over her left shoulder, medals about where they normally go, sash pinned at her right hip. No, I don't have photos.

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

[Drac]

Agreed. Primarily a non-issue. I concur with not normally wearing decorations as non-active duty to a wedding. It just seems a little out of place. I might, if it was a formal military wedding in a base chapel. The most mmm interesting wear of medal with civilian attire I have seen is the young lady I got a glimpse of a couple of years ago at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Strapless formal gown, with her minature medals fastened to a satin sash over her left shoulder, medals about where they normally go, sash pinned at her right hip. No, I don't have photos.

Now that is a fasion statement

Main reason for the way I choose is due to the fact I'm still in the Reserves and I only wear my medals to military functions. I'm very likely to be called out and unlike the supposed fasion police here the ones at these functions have the authority to do bad things to me.

Jim

[macwilkin]

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

The other issue is of course that technically medals and decorations should only be worn to a function if the invitation to said event specifically states, "medals and decorations". I attend two private gents-only Burns Nights which are black tie, but there are no medals and decorations worn.

I do agree with Rathdown that since the US Armed Forces does not have, in general, a long-standing tradition of Highland regiments, when in mufti, it's best to follow the customs of the British Commonwealth, given that Highland attire originated in Scotland.

I have witnessed this debate "in person" between my best friend and his father-in-law; the former served a hitch in the US Army as a combat engineer, the latter retired from the Navy as a Master-at-Arms (please, gents, be gentle on him!). My friend wears his medals court-mounted with Highland rig, while his father-in-law wears his swing-mounted, following Navy custom.

T.

[Geoff Withnell]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.


As to your best friend's father-in-law, as a Marine, I will be as gentle with him as the Navy Masters-at-Arms I have dealt with were with me!

The other issue is of course that technically medals and decorations should only be worn to a function if the invitation to said event specifically states, "medals and decorations". I attend two private gents-only Burns Nights which are black tie, but there are no medals and decorations worn.

I do agree with Rathdown that since the US Armed Forces does not have, in general, a long-standing tradition of Highland regiments, when in mufti, it's best to follow the customs of the British Commonwealth, given that Highland attire originated in Scotland.

I have witnessed this debate "in person" between my best friend and his father-in-law; the former served a hitch in the US Army as a combat engineer, the latter retired from the Navy as a Master-at-Arms (please, gents, be gentle on him!). My friend wears his medals court-mounted with Highland rig, while his father-in-law wears his swing-mounted, following Navy custom.

T.

[macwilkin]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.


As to your best friend's father-in-law, as a Marine, I will be as gentle with him as the Navy Masters-at-Arms I have dealt with were with me!

Well said to both points, Geoff.

I won't repeat what a friend of mine, who is an ex-Chief Stoker in the Royal Australian Navy said about MA ratings, no matter what their nationality.

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.

Couldn't agree more.

[Drac]

Rathdown is correct in that there are different rules for different branches. In the researched I did (and questioning here) I found out that US Navy only allows miniture medals with black tie attire.

Since Navy dinner dress jackets are fairly close to kilt evening jackets the medal ware is fairly easy.

Jim

Edit - here is last year's Navy Ball (not going this year, to much rudeness) -