DIY Kilt jacket Pattern

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

The US Coast Guard Pipe band has an illustration on their web page for converting their standard issue jackets for kilt wear. I would imagine that any tailor could use this to modify practically any standard-cut jacket. Here it is:

http://www.uscgpipeband.org./media/j...ifications.pdf

Also on their site are their uniform regulations, which should help anyone (like me) preparing to wear uniform + kilt to a formal event. Cheers!

[Splash_4]

Thanks for that link. I was talking to a local tailor yesterday about modifying an old sport jacket for the kilt and he looked at me like I had grown a second head. Maybe I can take this back and show him what I am after.

[haukehaien]

Grrr! I have just (almost) finished doing my first jacket modification. I wish I'd had this before ...

Anyway, thanks for posting it - I'll certainly use it next time.

[beerbecue]

Nice find.... will come in handy...

[BLAZN]

I wish the Navy would allow something like this. I asked if I could wear a kilt to the next Submarine Birthday Ball, provided I wore the USN tartan. I got a resounding no. *shrugs*

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

Petty Officer Warren!

Hehe - now that I've got your attention, let's look at this issue from the officer's view. The military exists by maintaining good order and discipline, and anything that is perceived as threatening that will be rejected. Further, violating regulations is a punishable offense, so we don't do that, or at least not where we can get caught. Now, the challenge here is to present your desire to wear the kilt (although admittedly not authorized by regulation) as a part of the uniform in a way that he perceives as beneficial to the unit and to the Navy. I recommend a formal memorandum thru your chain to your company-level commander, if refused then it is your right to take it to your battalion level commander, then regimental level. The trick is to remain professional and respectful when you go over your commander's head. You'll want to point out that commanders have the authority to proscribe uniforms, including optional uniform items, for members of their command. You'll also want to reference uniform standards while wearing the kilt - the USCG link has a copy of one such, and they're a naval service! Your chances of success will depend on how persuasive your argument for the kilt's wear as being consistent with US and Western European military tradition, cited examples of the kilt being authorized for US military personnel, and your ability to communicate that this is a carefully thought out idea, not a harebrained plan by 'a guy who wants to wear a skirt'. Here are some resources -

U.S. Naval Academy Pipes, Drums and dancers
http://www.nadn.navy.mil/Pipes/
(commanded by a Marine - and Marines are the ULTIMATE uniform Nazis!)

U.S. Military Academy at West Point Pipes, Drums and dancers
http://www.usma.edu/USCC/dca/clubs/C...Info/pipd.html

You already have the Coast Guard Link

USAFR Pipe Band
http://www.band.afrc.af.mil/library/...et.asp?id=3704

Marine pipers' net
http://www.marinepipers.com/index.htm

You may wish to include the history of US military tartans in your memo - here's the story of the U.S. Navy (Edzell) tartan -
http://members.aol.com/ewalker01/brechin/Page39.html

And I'm sure you can find the histories of the Leatherneck Tartan, U.S. Army Tartan, West Point and Polaris Tartans without my help. Somewhere on this board is an EXCELLENT post about how one of our members lobbied for and won the right to wear a kilt at work - go read it, if you haven't already, and adapt it to you. There're also lots of pictures on the 'net of Marines at their birthday ball in blues and tartan - you may want to include some of those.

Good luck - and I'll be looking for news - and pics! Plus, I'll be posting a pic in a month, after our Burns' Night supper - I'll be in mess dress and Clan MacKay plaid. I'm almost hoping to get challenged on the uniform issue (Let's see now, First Sergeant - should I go to the Equal Opportunity representative over your attempt to discriminate against me based on my racial and ethnic heritage, or would it be more appropriate to file a sexual harassment charge after that 'skirt' remark?)

Good luck, and I hope we hear good news from you soon!

Oh, and while chopping up your blue jacket is probably more radical than will be allowed - the mess dress jacket looks most dashing with kilt just as it is.

Give 'em Hell!

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

Too good not to share -

Marine Highland Games at Camp Fuji, Japan! Fantastic idea - maybe your base would go for something similar!

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

Link to Marine Highland games (forgot that part)

http://www.stripersonline.com/surfta...d.php?t=489955

[auld argonian]

I'm just thinking of my buddy Charlie who passed away about five years ago. He was Navy and he always showed his tat that featured "the three things in my life that will never change: Chuck, Mom and US Navy."

He left before I go into the kilt thing but if he were still alive and found out that there was a Navy Tartan he would have been all over it....and if Charlie would have worn a kilt, everybody else would have had to as well. And if he found out about the Highland Games he would have been front and center for them...he was a big guy and enjoyed throwing things to no end.

I miss that guy and I always envied his dedication to the Navy. I wish you luck in your efforts to work in the kilt.

Best

AA

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

Thanks for that link. I was talking to a local tailor yesterday about modifying an old sport jacket for the kilt and he looked at me like I had grown a second head. Maybe I can take this back and show him what I am after.

Any news on your jacket project, Splash?