Rank Insignia Pins on Flashes

[BCAC]

I think, in retrospect, my real question should have been about where to wear pins of any sort when kilted up. Frankly, the question got clouded by folks concentrating on the fact I was asking about rank insignia specifically and I should not have asked it that specifically. The opinions of civilians and non-Marine veterans really don't matter in matters of my beloved Corps.
But to what my real question should have been, where DOES one wear pins when kilted? TGIF waiters wear their "flair" on their braces. At my VFW post, everyone has their fore & aft cover covered in pins. Hikers stick pins on their hiking staffs. I have a friend who wears a couple of pins on the ribbons of his Glen Garry when he is in his kilt. That won't work for me because I'm married and my ribbons on my Balmoral are tied into a bow. I'm not looking to wear a butt load of pins marking every event in my life, but where is a good place to wear one or two that mean something special?

I'm pretty sure the general consensus is NOT on the hose flashes

OK, for you "The opinions of civilians and non-Marine veterans really don't matter in matters of my beloved Corps". It just so happens that, in this case, several former US Marines had the same opinion as us non Marines (whose opinions don't matter).

If you want US Marines opinions, post on a US Marines forum!

As stated by Tobus (non Marine, so his opinion probably doesn't matter to you) pins are not traditional so if you really want to wear them, wear them wherever and however you like!

Edited to add: The fact of being married or not has absolutely no bearing on the ribbons of a bonnet being tied or being left loose.

[Leatherneck Donald]

This thread http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...nk-kilt-82006/ although not exactly the same, covers some of the same territory. Last night I found an unofficial rank pin (just like the SSgt. pin that Riverkilt shows in that other thread). I think it will live just above my regular kilt pin in informal situations, and get taken off for formal events.

[Leatherneck Donald]

The fact of being married or not has absolutely no bearing on the ribbons of a bonnet being tied or being left loose.

Interesting. When I first started wearing a kilt 15 years ago, the book I had said that was the case. I've had mine tied up for 10 years. I just read another thread on here on the topic and learned about the GG never being tied, and the B being tied or untied for personal preference.

[davidlpope]

Interesting. When I first started wearing a kilt 15 years ago, the book I had said that was the case. I've had mine tied up for 10 years. I just read another thread on here on the topic and learned about the GG never being tied, and the B being tied or untied for personal preference.

The book "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" has steered many people wrong...

[Deirachel]

Leatherneck, to preface, I'm not a Marine.

However, if you are interested in showing your (former) rank without the "Fried Egg" of a pin on your flashes, you might want to add the chevrons to the end of your flashes in embroidery. A pair of chevrons in black embroidery on red flashes would be an understated way of showing your personal history. Most would just see it as a bit of fashion flair (especially if you prefer the notched style of flashes, and you have the embroidery cover the entire width.), but some may see them and ask.

[Jawn]

Too often we spend our money on expensive accessories, when we should be buying a full length mirror.

I'm stealing this, hope you don't mind. ;)

[Jawn]

As to the rest, I'm a Chief Petty Officer with 20 years in the USCG and and while I'm proud of my service, my branch, and my anchors, I wouldn't wear official uniform items such as rank insignia while in civilian clothes. There are plenty of service related items I'll wear out of uniform, but anything that actually goes on my uniform has no place on my civilian stuff.

Just my $0.02. As has been stated, you do as you please, but you might check the USMC uniform regs, they might have something to say about mixing uniform items with civilian attire.

[416 Rigby]

To answer your original question...

Just my two cents (and worth about as much) but I think people are way too hung up on rank. I see it quite often and it bugs the crap out of me. When I tell someone that I recently retired and they immediately ask what rank I retired at, I want to say "What difference does it make? Isn't it enough that I spent 25 years of my life in military service?" Sheesh!

Anyway, thank you for your service, and you should be very proud that you served, and continue to serve in your new capacity with the Leatherneck Society. It doesn't matter what your rank was.

[creagdhubh]

The book "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" has steered many people wrong...

Quite right, David. I threw my copy out whilst I was in high school. It was was given to me from a mate of mine as sort of a joke, since I had already been an avid wearer of Highland Dress for quite some time.

[Steve Ashton]

We already do have a phrase for this.

"Some time ago, Jock Scot explained his method of shaping a Balmoral bonnet. Since that time such treatment has been known as "jocking."

I believe that the wisdom of David's post is such that we should honor it in similar fashion. I propose that we add "Fried Egg" to the XMarks lexicon, meaning "a really bad idea."
An example of such use might be:

Q: "I want to wear my jugo gi with my kilt to honor my sensei's brother's girlfriend's birthday. Should I use a white belt or tartan?"
A: "I'm afraid that particular combination might be perceived as a bit of a Fried Egg!"

We call it a Branson.

After this famous photo.



Can someone wear a kilt backwards? Well, yes, it is physically possible to do so.

Is is possible that someone can look stupid and not know it and no one will say anything? Yep, all you have to be is super rich.

So, the next time you see someone with a fried egg being used as a sporran you can go up to them and say -

"Wow, you Branson'ed that outfit perfectly."