Wear of Clan Tartan by non-Clan Members

[David Thorpe]

My question is, what exactally makes it wrong, rude, disrespectfull?

I tried my best to explain and you obviously did not understand. So be it.

I did not "chastise" anyone about wearing the kilt. The term "clan tartan" obviously does not mean the same thing to you that it does to me. I am sure that there are many people who share your opinion as there are who share mine. What each of us does in light of that fact is entirely up to us as individuals.

I was a Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsman. I wore the Marine fatigue uniform (albeit with my Navy insignia), ate their chow, slept in their barracks, went through some of their training, complied with their regulations and went through some of their experiences. That does not make me a Marine. For that reason, I would not wear the Leatherneck tartan, although I admire it a great deal, not only because I think it is beautiful, but because I respect what it means. Some Marines would not object to me wearing it. Others might. My wearing it would belie my respect for it and for them. Maybe I'll design a FMF Medical Corps tartan at some future time. If so, I will wear it with pride, not the least bit concerned with dishonoring any Marines or the Corps.

Wear what you will -- with a full understanding of what it means to others. That understanding may or may not have a bearing on your decisions. That is entirely up to you.

[Meggers]

I tried my best to explain and you obviously did not understand. So be it.

I think KC understood just fine. He simply has the opposite opinion.

I think, in many ways, both of you can be seen as right. Wearing a tartan from another clan is something that some may take offense to and, because of that, perhaps when shopping for a tartan, one should look at the many tartans available that are not affiliated with any clan first. Kilted Cole, however, is an example of someone who wears a clan tartan that he isn't affiliated with, but recognizes that he is not a member of the clan and simply wears it out of respect for members of that clan. I think that's a perfectly honorable reason to wear a tartan.

This topic really isn't as black and white as some might like it to be. There are always situations where wearing another clan might be inappropriate and some situations where it might not be. It also depends on the intention of the wearer. Many different variables come into play when deciding whether wearing a clan tartan that isn't "yours" is appropriate or not.

[Mael Coluim]

After the Kirk’n of the Tartan Ceremony at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, a lady stopped me to ask the name of the tartan I was wearing. I told her it was Malcolm in the modern color. She replied that she and her friend said it was the prettiest tartan they had seen. Now that is some compliment and not heard by me before.

Now I must say, I was wearing my new USA Kilt semi-trad and the blue stripes in it are quite eye catching. I personally would welcome anyone wearing our Clan tartan, even if it was just because it was pretty to them. There certainly is a benefit to a relatively small clan with surnames of Malcolm and MacCallum and derivatives of those names. It would ensure the tartan stays readily available as the demand for it justifies the tartan being made by the mill.




MC in USAK Semi Trad in Malcolm modern, the other gents have Malcolm Ancient tartan; Past President Don Malcolm of Atlanta, Chief Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, 19th Laird of Poltalloch, and Pat President Donald Malcolm of Roanoke Rapids.

If one will feel that they need the permission of our Clan Chief to wear it, I’ll be glad to give Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, 19th Laird of Poltalloch a call.

And on the other hand, not being a Marine, you will not catch me wearing the Leatherneck tartan as much as I may admire it.
Go figure!

[creagdhubh]

I was a Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsman. I wore the Marine fatigue uniform (albeit with my Navy insignia), ate their chow, slept in their barracks, went through some of their training, complied with their regulations and went through some of their experiences. That does not make me a Marine. For that reason, I would not wear the Leatherneck tartan, although I admire it a great deal, not only because I think it is beautiful, but because I respect what it means. Some Marines would not object to me wearing it. Others might. My wearing it would belie my respect for it and for them. Maybe I'll design a FMF Medical Corps tartan at some future time. If so, I will wear it with pride, not the least bit concerned with dishonoring any Marines or the Corps.

***

Thank you again for your service, David. FMF Navy Corpsman are ferociously 'protected' by all Marine Corps Infantrymen, if not by all who wear the U.S. Marine Corps uniform, regardless of their MOS. We have always held our Naval brethren in the highest regard, for it is them we completely depend upon when things get a bit rough whilst in combat. Some of my best mates whilst serving on active-duty were FMF Navy Corpsman.

Semper Fidelis brother...

[David Thorpe]

***

Thank you again for your service, David. FMF Navy Corpsman are ferociously 'protected' by all Marine Corps Infantrymen, if not by all who wear the U.S. Marine Corps uniform, regardless of their MOS. We have always held our Naval brethren in the highest regard, for its them we completely depend upon when things get a bit rough whilst in combat. Some of my best mates whilst serving on active-duty were FMF Navy Corpsman.

Semper Fidelis brother...

Thank YOU, Kyle. It's a mutual admiration and respect thing that some folks can't possibly understand. And that's OK.

OOH-rah!