flashes: the official UK way

[Steve Ashton]

Being serious for just a moment.

I'm not an expert on Kilted Regiment uniform standards but I have learned a few things as the Regimental kilt maker to one unit.

We all know and recognize that the different military units have different and distinctive Tartans. This is also true for sporrans, color of tunic and many other items that allow them to be recognizable from each other.

Flash placement is no different. I happen to know that the Canadian Scottish Regimental standard for flash placement has changed at times and is subject to change again. The current standard is aligned with the shin bone.

The Argyle & Sutherlands may use a different placement and so may the Black Watch.

The only standard that matters is the one the current Regimental Sergent Major sets for his unit. The standard may change when the RSM changes.

To one old US Marine this idea that a uniform could change with a change of command was sort of strange. I'm used to one standard that applies to every Marine regardless of unit.

In kilted units the RSM has great leeway in setting many standards, so if we read about a uniform standard we should also need to know the time period and RSM that the standard was applicable to.

[imrichmond]

I suspect that the recommendation of the two manuals I cited concerning the position of flashes is inspired more by the authors' concern for "consistency" in pipe band uniforms, as indicated by the RDMA's note to that effect, than by actual regimental practice. Lining up the leading edge of the flashes with the shinbone or with the centre of the diamond on hose provides a clear, unequivocal, immovable reference point, whereas telling band members to put their flashes at the 10 and 2 positions can result in diverse interpretations and considerable variation within the group, at least in the civilian world, where daily uniform inspections are not the norm. Consistency may be the hobgoblin of small minds, according to Ralph Waldo Emerson (although he did qualify it as a "foolish" consistency, thereby implying that there is also an "intelligent" consistency), but there is something to be said for it in the area of uniforms. Uniformity, after all, is the whole point of dressing bands, even civilian ones, in uniforms.

Of course, outside of the military and semi-military worlds of pipe bands, the position of flashes, or even whether or not to wear them, is a matter of personal taste. For this reason, I would dispute the view that we should look to the military for guidance on how to wear highland dress, given that the military places a high priority on uniformity of dress, especially in the British tradition. One of the delights of wearing non-uniform highland dress is the freedom it provides to express one's individuality while remaining within a well-established tradition. This is why, when performing a solo piping gig, I invariably opt to wear my own highland dress rather than my pipe band uniform, which is drab by comparison.

[herminator]

I wear mine with the leading edge at the 10:00 and 2:00 positions because that is was what personally find pleasing.

Cheers

Jamie

I´m with Jamie here!

Shalom
Hermann

[English Bloke]

I wear mine like this.



I have two "rules" for myself.

1. I line the leading edge of my flash to the 12 o'clock position on my shin.
2. I try not to use the flashes as a substitute for semaphore flags.

I do this because it's how I like to wear my flashes. I am not bound by any set of rules and I don't get in a muck-sweat how other people wear theirs.

If I'm wearing garter ties, I tend to follow Chas' approach, for the same reasons he states.

[MacGumerait]

I think right now, mine are at about 11:15 and 1:10.

Hurry up and change their positions , the Flash Police are on the way .

[John_Carrick]

People do get arrested for "flashing" in this country but it is something slightly, well actually very different, but we'll park that at this point.

[JerryW]

In my experience the British Army will tend to have traditions that can baffle the outsider. In many cases you will find that a tradition will grow up despite regulation and can even be different between battalions of the same regiment especially if the various battalions are the results of amalgmations. I'd also point out that some traditions have their roots in "Unit one does it this way so we are going to be different ". Who the RSM is and his preference (or Bugle/Pipe Major too) will have much more impact on the dress regs than some manual out of the MoD.

[ForresterModern]

I am often lucky I remember to put them so getting them into proper position is a bit of a luxury. One other thing I do is roll them once or twice around the garter so that only an inch or so shows below the turnover. More subtle accent piece that way.

[RockyR]

I LOVE my flashes as they serve double duty. When I'm not wearing a kilt, I'm an Ultimate Warrior impersonator and I wear them around my bulging biceps. Here's a picture of me just this past Sunday:

[TheOfficialBren]

One other thing I do is roll them once or twice around the garter so that only an inch or so shows below the turnover. More subtle accent piece that way.

Plus one. I do this, too.