US Army Tartan

**Bog Trotter** · 26th March 10, 06:39 PM

As an Army veteran, I'd like to know if the US Army tartan is an officially recognized tartan? I am considering that kilt as my next purchase. It is a sharp looking tartan.

**Woodsheal** · 26th March 10, 07:18 PM

It is NOT officially recognized by the US Army, though it is worn by thousands of both active duty, retired, and ex-Army folks....

**Spc. Scott** · 26th March 10, 07:20 PM

I don't believe that it is. Same boat as the Leatherneck if I'm not mistaken. But it is a great looking tartan. I plan on getting one myself one of these days.

I'm too slow. Brian was all over it.

**longhuntr74** · 26th March 10, 07:49 PM

Wait here...hold on. What do you mean by "officially recognized"? It is a registered tartan. Is it recognized by the Army...no...the Army has no tradition of kilt wear, nor pipe and drum bands, etc...there'd be no reason for the Army to have an official tartan...but will US Army kilt wearers and many others recognize it as the US Army Tartan...absolutely.

**Bog Trotter** · 26th March 10, 08:07 PM

longhuntr74, what I meant by officially recognized, is the tartan registered? You've answered my question, thanks.

**Riverkilt** · 26th March 10, 09:11 PM

My understanding it that the copyright to the Army tartan is held by Alexis Malcolm and Strathmore Mills. I believe Marton Mills pays a royalty to weave the Army tartan in Polyviscose.

I have heard from a reliable source, but don't know for certain, that a popular inexpensive athletic kiltmaker out of Southern California may be having the Army tartan woven without permission of the copyright holders.

IF that were true, it would certainly preclude me from purchasing the Army tartan from that vendor.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I could clarify or enlighten me....??

**castledangerous** · 27th March 10, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Wait here...hold on. What do you mean by "officially recognized"? It is a registered tartan. Is it recognized by the Army...no...the Army has no tradition of kilt wear, nor pipe and drum bands, etc...there'd be no reason for the Army to have an official tartan...but will US Army kilt wearers and many others recognize it as the US Army Tartan...absolutely.

Well, there is a West Point pipeband and

"In January 2003, the 91st Division Band was the only Army Reserve Band in the United States to be mobilized as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where it performed as an active duty band for ten months before demobilization in November to support military functions and perform for the civilian sector in various capacities. It was the first time in 60 years that the 91st Division Band was an active duty band in time of war– and the first time in memory that the Army had paid, full-time pipers on its rolls.'

http://www.liggett.army.mil/91DivBan...f_history.html

They apparently wear the Royal Stewart tartan

**rdjmchris** · 27th March 10, 12:56 PM

The 7th Cavalry (the only US regiment with its own tartan - check out the avatar) had pipers way back in the 60s - 70s. They were regular soldiers, it was an additional duty with the kilts and pipes being provided by the Regiment. I'll look for the pictures online.

Chris

Can't post the pics due to copyright, but they wore both Irish Saffron and the 7th Cav tartan. The link is below.

http://www.us7thcavalry.com/7-cav-Band.htm

C

**Riverkilt** · 27th March 10, 02:04 PM

I think either Orvis or LL Bean sells a shirt in the 7th Cavalry tartan.

Its a busy tartan - would be "suicide" to wear here in Indian Country...

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 27th March 10, 05:07 PM

"Is the tartan official?" and "Is the tartan registered?" are two different matters entirely. In order to be considered the official tartan of the US Army, then it would have to be duly accepted as such by the US Army.

This acceptance is not a requirement for registration by either the Scottish Tartans Authority nor the National Tartan Register. It would be considered, strictly speaking, a fashion tartan named for the US Army.

Most all of the US military tartans would fall into this "fashion" category, with no official position as far as the US military is concerned.

I actually thought I remembered a year or so ago that the US Army tartan had received official recognition by the Army, but I don't see anything about it in the STA notes and I can't find anything with a quick Google search, either, so I may be remembering wrong.