RE: http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,82507,00.html Great idea, I've gone places where civilan pipers are performing and often when they notice the Marine Corp license plate they break in the Hymn. I think they like it. I've had a piper in my marine organization also. There is even a scholorship for a piper who is related to a veteran, is one themselves or a military member.
An OUTSTANDING idea....Few things if any can bring a tear to the eye of a seasoned jarhead or law enforcement oficer, but every year at the MEB (Manchester Expeditionary Brigade) USMC Birthday, First Piper Malcolm Forbes "pipes in" the colors. Grown men - from China Marines to Iraq War (II) vets, lock it up and come to attention. Our own NH Police Association plays the Hymn at all of their performances as well - including funerals. I would love to see the Marine Corps adopt the tartan as an alternative uniform, and give pipers that skill designation Semper Fi.
As a company commander on Okinawa in 1970-71, I had a company piper. It was unofficial of course. He was a rifleman by MOS, but he occasionally played for us in the field on and on the parade deck. I like the pipes, but a lot of Marines looked at them as rather odd. I conclude that there is no real affection for or attraction to the pipes, no tradition of piping in the Corps, even thought there have been pipers here and there for years, and I expect there will be in years to come, on occasions such as mess nights. I do not believe there is a need for a specialty/MOS for pipers, or a need for a uniform for pipers. As to a related issue, I think it would be appropriate for the Corps to sanction a tartan, perhaps the extant "Leatherneck" tartan, as well as a "regimental tie," both as civilian attire. Each would serve as a an identifier, a unifier, of Marines "in town." I've always liked the fact that there is only one Royal Marines tie; I dislike the fact that so many "Marines Corps" ties, most of them unattractive, are available. Semper Fi
I am writing in answer to your article about Pipers in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps does have an official Tartan, and being a piper myself and retired from the Army, I think it will be a real nice deal to have a informal piper for the Marine Corps and the US Army. As a rule, the Pipers in the Highland Regiments are machine gunners in their receptive units and or medics. They have a lot of great tunes that are used to rally the troops. It is a good thing to hear the pipes in battle and it really stirs the heart. Thank you Sir.
