Army, why do you hate your berets?

It's not easy to put on by feel; it would help if there were mirrors at the doors everywhere on base. A PC can be put on one-handed while walking. If that can be done with a beret, I haven't figured out how, yet.

I recall correcting an LTC who placed the rank insignia over the middle of his forehead. Moron. He didn't like it but not much you can do to a W5. :-)

And, we're not all special. Leave the beret to those who think they're special.

As a mechanic, the beret was stupid. Regular forces. Hoo-ah.

I had one Beret like that that I carved on like Michelangelo until it was a work of art. Then I lost it. I had to start all over with the shearing and burning and moistening and creasing and kneading and STILL couldn't get the damn thing presentable. Now if you lose your hat you buy a new one. Mark it zero, next frame.

Some folks can pull off the beret look. Others look like they have a deflated sheep carcass on their head. I was one of the latter.

MAJ (Join to see), you took the words out of my mouth (crew-served headgear). I always feel like I need a mirror to wear the thing correctly. This is not to say that I'm against them as part of the ASUs or for those who's wear has a significance tied to them (SF, Airborne, etc). But if it's just headgear, make it simple!

Sir- I came into the guard from another branch of service. Was not fond of the beret. It took a lot of getting used to. I concur- crew served headgear! I will say however- when it is worn correctly it looks sharp! I never enjoyed wearing it personally.

Gotta like the crew served description!!

Oh that's before I was even born!

Agreed, it is a sun absorbing wool head blanket.

This basically sums it up short and sweet. Absolutely hate the beret other than for the specialties where it's part of the tradition and history like SF.

I probably shouldn’t comment since I am 24 yrs out of the Army, but I think GEN Shinseki should not have pushed for the beret for all around wear, especially when a soldier is wearing bdu/ocu’s as there is no inherent shading from the sun/rain. I would have preferred the garrison (c**t cap) over the beret for class A wear as indoors you could tuck it under your belt and sit down and it would keep it’s shape. However there was never a blue uniform version and since the Army subsequently went to blues over green Class A’s for office and non-fatigue duty wear, the black beret was all that was left except the blue service cap. I think blues are too formal and dressy and ostentatious looking for everyday wear, certainly not the equivalent of a civilian business suit with which my officer’s guide equated it.