Yesterday afternoon, I was at the base PX (Camp Pendleton) standing in front of the magazine rack, looking for a mindless escape, when a voice behind me said “Excuse me sir.” These three words immediately perked my interest because the phrase was said with a Scottish accent thick enough to cut with a sgian dubh.

I turned towards the voice and saw two Royal Marines. I should mention that this isn’t that unusual in itself, because the US Marine Corps and the UK Royal Marines have long had an exchange program whereby individual members serve with the other service to gain familiarity with the inner workings of our sister force. These individual Marines take assigned places right alongside their brother Marines doing the ordinary duties required. Camp Pendleton, being a large base, has been the host for many of these individuals in the past, and will see several members of other services at any one time. These exchange programs include all specialties.

The young RM Corporal asked if he could ask me a question and I said sure. We then moved off to a corner to be out of traffic. He asked what tartan I was wearing. I grinned, because yesterday I was wearing my "Light Grey Leatherneck Urban Warfare tartan number 16" that had been made by Wally, our own ChattanCat. I told him, and got a puzzled look. Then I quickly went on and gave him the rest of the kilt’s story.

He thanked me, and we chatted some more. He was a Fargason. We had something in common because years ago, I had the honor of serving with 42 Commando. In parting, he said that it was one of the prettiest kilts that he had ever seen.

Way to go Wally!!!