Wearing Your Medals With Your Kilt

[ChromeScholar]

I have no problem at all with wearing the medals and ribbons I earned on appropriate occasions, in a respectful manner.

[cavscout]

I'm all for you boys with a lot of "tossed salad" wearing the medals. Let the rest of the world see who the hero's among us are. In my case though, as a Peace Time Former Marine and Cavalry Scout my authorized medals are simply National Defense and Good Conduct. I'll stick to the simple pin for the branch of service or perhaps crossed sabers. Elegant, simple and says it all in my opinion.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I know quite a few veterans who wear cloisonne pins of their ribbons, either on ballcaps or on the lapels of jackets. I've rarely felt like such exhibition myself, but for those who do, more power to 'em.

[macwilkin]

Point of clarification: the subject of Ron's original post refers to the wearing of medals for Veteran's Day/Memorial Day/Armed Forces day ceremonies, not just for "casual wear". In keeping with the customs of British Commonwealth forces, full-size "gongs" are worn on mufti for such affairs. Here is a photo, for example of members of the Cameronian Regiment at such a ceremony:

http://www.community-council.org.uk/...y%20parade.jpg

A photo of the late Ernest "Smokey" Smith VC, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/2...f8122be75b.jpg

A photo of a New Zealand ex-serviceman on ANZAC Day:

http://www.army.mil.nz/nr/rdonlyres/...oh07027353.jpg

In Australia & New Zealand, the children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel are allowed to wear medals on the right side. I have seen video of the Brisbane ANZAC Day parade and there many kids marching in grandad's unit wearing his medals now -- quite a fitting tribte, INMHO:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image..._boy_ap416.jpg

Personally, I'm glad to see the US encouraging this custom.

Regards,

Todd

[Chase]

Took it a step further...Good on ya Ruanaidh

[cacunn]

IMHO you earned the awards you should have the right to display them, even after leaving the service. I do not believe this should be limited to a shadow box on your den wall. However, I believe that there is a tradition to how they are displayed. I know of no time that a civilian should wear the full medal and there are few time that most active duty wear the full medal.

Miniature medals should be worn at very formal affair when in a PC or better and when military would be wearing the same miniatures on their dress uniforms.

Ribbons on the other hand should be worn more frequently. As stated before, miniature medal ribbon(s) on the lapel of a suit jacket. Miniature ribbons, badges and awards on Argyle jackets when worn as a tux.

When my father passed I came into his kilt (man was he skinny) and kilt shirt. On the kilt shirt, displayed in the same manner as on a Class A uniform are his CIB, ribbons and unit citations. I don't think I ever saw him go to a Celtic even with out this shirt.

We as a nation then to forget those that served after they leave active duty. Moderators forgive me, in this I include the VA, Congress and president. Perhaps if veterans would identify themselves a little more they would get more respect.
Moderators sorry for the soap box.

I this light I wear on my suit coats a miniature ribbon of yellow with red strips.

On Sunday 11/11 and Monday 11/12 I think all veterans should stand up once again and some how identify yourselves.

[macwilkin]

I know of no time that a civilian should wear the full medal and there are few time that most active duty wear the full medal.

See the photos in my post above. Full-size gongs should be worn with civilian attire for Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, etc.

T.

[cacunn]

See the photos in my post above. Full-size gongs should be worn with civilian attire for Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, etc.

T.

cajunscot you are right but all of your pictures are of members of the United Kingdom armed forces. In the past I know of no time that US civilians have normally worn the full gong. This may change.

But please do not do as I have seen and wear both the ribbon and the full gong. It should be one or the other.

[macwilkin]

cajunscot you are right but all of your pictures are of members of the United Kingdom armed forces. In the past I know of no time that US civilians have normally worn the full gong. This may change.

But please do not do as I have seen and wear both the ribbon and the full gong. It should be one or the other.

If you look at the link Ron originally posted, the VA does show an example of full-size US gongs for mufti.

T.

[Galician]

I'm curious about something. My first image of those in civilian garb wearing their military medals is of Russians. Would their traditions and experience in this matter have as much relevance as that of members of the British Commonwealth?