US Army Tartan

[Bog Trotter]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[castledangerous]

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

[Riverkilt]

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....??

[RockyR]

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.

Close, but not quite, Ron.

USA Kilts (not MM, but me myself) got Alexis Malcolm's permission and paid Strathmore a royalty to have a single run (130 M) of the cloth woven in PV. We did the special run of cloth back in 2007 and have since sold out of it with no plans to re-weave it. The costs associated with doing things 'the right way' (i.e. paying royalties to the proper people) get expensive when other companies get away with weaving it without paying any royalties and sell the cloth / kilts for less. It is sad but true.

I can also comment that I know for a fact that NO company currently has Strathmore's permission to weave ANY of the following tartans in any non-wool fabrics (yet it is done WITHOUT permission):

US Army
US Navy (Edzell)
US Forces
US Air Force
US Coast Gaurd

The Marine Corps tartan is a 'non restricted tartan' that can CAN be woven / sold by anyone.

[rdjmchris]

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]

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...