Question for those in Highland Regiments

[the 48th regulator]

Hey - Had an additional question about this topic, I'm not sure if the specifics have already been asked yet. I saw a unit on parade in Hamilton and it looked like they had a) a large group of guys in their Highland regiment dress uniform, b) guys in the green suit-and-tie uniform, and then c) another group in their BDU's. I was curious about the reasoning for this. Is the kilt earned through any particular process (i.e. completing their bmq/sq first) or a choice by the individuals in the regiment? Or were they illustrating a point of some kind for rememberance day? Or am I just unobservant and it was likely they were just separate units? It looked to me like the other reserve units were already split up, and that the three were all together apart from them... (that probably didn't make any sense...)

Very good question, I will try to answer best as I can;
a) a large group of guys in their Highland regiment dress uniform,

These are active members of the regiment.  In essence, they did "earn it" if you will.  Due to the cost of Highland Regalia, once a person is qualified Private, they will be issued the Regimental Kit.  Most of the work up training prior to that, really does not involve a need to wear Highland Dress.

b) guys in the green suit-and-tie uniform,

Retired members of the Regiment.  Again, being the cost of Highland Dress, the kilt is usually turned in, to be issued to another Soldier.  The retired members where a Blazer and Grey Flannels (Dress Pants) with the appropriate regimental Crest.  Head dress is usually Glengarry, and Some Regiments Require Senior NCO's and Officer to wear Regimental Ties.

c) another group in their BDU's.

Various people usually new Soldiers on their BMQ.

You pretty much nailed it in your observations.

dileas

tess

 

[Steel Badger]

Right, I believe I can answer your questions, having been part of that haggis bashing unit since...well since the dark days of the 80's.
Firstly, the Hamilton unit in question is the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada ( Princess Louise's).

In general we parade in regimental dress ( CF No. 1 B's ) for Remembrance Day parade. No.1B's include the green coatee... We are fortunate in that we have enough 1B's to outfit most of our unit.

The next group was wearing No. 1A Dress..... Cutaway CF green DEU tunic w/ kilt. These are generally the newer soldiers who are awaiting the arrival of their 1B coatees ( or troops who are awaiting new coatees.)

The third group would have been the new recruits to the unit. The troops you saw were NOT wearing BDUs ( an american term and uniform); they were parading in combats, that is to say the Canadian Pattern Combat uniform or CADPAT.

In general, a soldier is only outfitted w/ Highland kit after completing BMQ, tho exceptions have been made in the past. The biggest difficulty in outfitting a newer soldier with DEU (for No. 1 A Dress) is that they do not become eligible to be issued with DEU until they complete a year in service. ( Note: this is a CF regulation governing reservists, not a regimental dress regulation.)

If you looked closely you would have observed a number of trouser wearing soldiers from various services. These are either former members of the Unit who happen to be in town on the 11th or local members of regular force detachments who prefer our more liesurely progress to the Cenotaph to the blistering pace set by our dapper cousins the RHLI.(WR)

Hopefully this answers your questions.

Cheers

SB

 

[daftandbarmy]

There's nothing worn under my kilt. It's all in perfect working order.

 

[Thompson_JM]

...who prefer our more liesurely progress to the Cenotaph to the blistering pace set by our dapper cousins the RHLI.(WR)...

You got that right....

that was a painful lesson back in 99.... Grad Parade practice the day after our first BFT.... the only other time a soldier marches that fast is on their way to the CO's office without their Hat!

 

[Cliffy433]

Good girls ask, bad girls find out 

I think you have that backwards...

 

[Steel Badger]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no >