For my fellow Marines

[Steve Ashton]

I'm very glad the kilt arrived in time Geoff.

[Riverkilt]

That's a beauty! You'll be the hit of the Ball for sure. Stand proud.

Got word mine is being sewn up this week but don't think it'll make it for the parade Monday. Next year.

[Geoff Withnell]

we had an AWESOME time. Pics as soon as I can find the cable for the camera.

Steve, Michele loves the hang of the kilt in back, she says its more even/level in back. I suspect it's your inclusion of "slope" in the measurements. More comments to come with the pics.

[BruceBC]

Steve that is a fantastic tartan.

[Geoff Withnell]

AARRRGGGHHH!!!!

The files on the chip in the digital camera were corrupted. This is the only pic from the 2012 Marine Corps Birthday I have.





Steve,

I would like to write a piece for The Patriot, the newsletter of the Scottish American Military Society on the tartan, and possibly use some of the photos from this thread. Would you give me your permission.

[The Wizard of BC]

You have it Geoff. Of course. It was meant to be enjoyed.

[Riverkilt]

Picked mine up this morning! Steamed out while I rush back to work. Pics soon. It IS beautiful!!

Thanks again for all your effort on this Steve.

[Nottawayblue]

A sharp looking design for certain! Much credit to the designer. I guess the unspoken assumption that a kilt in this tartan was not intended for wear with the USMC uniform? Rather, if I glean correctly, it is for personal wear and it's design but pays homage (quite nicely) to perhaps the most eye catching uniform in the US Military? I only ask this because through the first four or five pages of this thread I was under the (mistaken?) impression that this was someone designing an official USMC tartan but seemingly without the direction or authorization of the USMC. And I mean official not in terms of some online endorsement, but instead an actual listing in the official uniform manual of that fine service. The US Coast Guard, for instance, has an official Coast Guard tartan listed in our uniform manual and the Coast Guard Pipe Band has a full uniform manual for how to wear this kilt and specified uniform items as an official uniform (in appropriate circumstances of course). I guess it would surprise me if the other US services did not have similar specified tartans.
None of this, of course, takes away from the truly splendid design. If I could ever get my father to wear a kilt, which will not happen!, I would suggest this for him in honor of his years of service in the a marines.
Semper Paratus and Semper Fi
LT Blair Sweigart
US Coast Guard

[Steve Ashton]

Lt Sweigart,

You are correct that this Tartan is for those who are, were, or know a Marine. My intent was not to try to design an official uniform item. The US Marine Corps does not have a kilt in its history. Nor has Tartan ever played a large part of the Corps.

We do see pipe bands becoming more popular. I think each service has at least one pipe band.

And there are many serving and former Marines who wear the kilt.

My intent was to create a Tartan for those of us who wear the kilt, as another way to show our pride in our Corps.

The Leatherneck Tartan is not officially authorized or sanctioned by the USMC. It is not an officially recognized uniform item. However, many Marines still wear it with pride.

The Leatherneck Tartan and the Dress Blue Tartan are both, ways for us to say "Semper Fi".

You are also correct that I have not, and do not intend, to submit the Dress Blue Tartan to the USMC for consideration. I feel it would be the height of ego to even suggest that.

I know that for some it may be hard to understand, at a gut level, what it means to be a Marine. Perhaps this example will help.
Your 782 gear is your basic equipment issue. The Marine Corps does not include a wife as part of your 782 gear so,,,, you must not need one.

I would, of course, be honored if they wished to adopt it, but they have not approached me. If they ever did, I would gladly relinquish all rights and restrictions to the Tartan. All I would ask is that they remember that it was designed by a Marine, for my fellow Marines.

[Nottawayblue]

Roger, thanks for the confirmation. As I said, you've designed a fine tartan there. Were I in the other finest service in this nation, my order would already be in!