How did you feel when you heard of the Black beret of our ranger brothers being taken away and replaced with tan

SPC Mark Beard — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 22:48:39 -0500

I felt very sad and anger about it to me it just was not right how did you feel and do you feel

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 10:53 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 22:53:52 -0500

I bet the other branches felt the same way the their black beret was taken away.
http://www.army.mil/features/beret/beret.htm

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 7 at 2015 10:56 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 22:56:36 -0500

Although I did not earn the black beret I thought it was a crock. I thin the regular Army should have gotten the tan beret and the black remain with the Rangers.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 7 at 2015 10:58 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 22:58:01 -0500

It never bother me because the brown beret is also unique.

Response by SGT James Korman made Feb 7 at 2015 11:05 PM

SGT James Korman — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:05:18 -0500

'Tis a disgrace, a measure of the Joint Chiefs Catering to and cowering before political leadership that endlessly seeks to destroy our military preparedness. We now have fewer ships than we had prior to WWI and only ten army divisions of which 9 are deployed. In addition, through freezes another 180,000 are to be removed from active duty.

Am completely convinced that Clinton & Obama seek nothing more than the enslavement of our nation by any means possible!

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 7 at 2015 11:16 PM

SPC David S. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:16:03 -0500

GEN Skinseki's biggest blunder. The black beret will forever haunt his name.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 10:22 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 10:22:53 -0500

My father, an Armor/Cav guy, wore the black beret in the 1970s.
Of course as I became more aware in the 1980s, maroon=airborne, green=SF, black=ranger, but I always wondered about those Armor/Cav guys losing their black beret.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 11:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:20:30 -0500

Great question. Like SFC John Gates stated, I too believe it was a political move but for what reasons I just don't understand. Prior to this change, I had spent the previous 10+ years serving in two different SF Groups where we, as support personnel, wore the maroon beret and the SF guys wore the well known green beret. I had always been honored and proud to wear a beret and was a bit excited to be able to still wear one upon PCSing to Fort Riley. The excitement was minor though in comparison to my disgust that the new "headgear" was going to be the black beret, which had always been a symbol of the Rangers. Since the Rangers retained the beret as headgear, it didn't make any sense to change their color to tan and give the black one to the rest of the Army. It would have been better for the Rangers to retain the black beret and the rest of the Army go to the tan beret.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Feb 8 at 2015 11:59 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:59:12 -0500

- The Rangers having to switch from black beret to tan beret was a symptom, not the illness.
- The illness was the then CSA's decision for all Soldiers to wear the black beret in order to "symbolize our desire to transform". Symbolism can be tangentially helpful but rarely direct helpful. A better way to "symbolize our desire to transform" would have been to get off our collective ass and transform. We are Soldiers, not politicians. Soldiers measure desire by results. Politicians generally do not even measure desire, they talk about it at best.
- Placing the beret onto every Soldier was ill conceived for several reasons. Elite Soldiers look good in a beret while the average Soldier does not (height/weight, high/tight haircut, discipline to shave and mold the beret properly, etc). Hats and caps are functional and protect from rain/sun while the beret does not. Hat/cap emplacement is a one handed operation while beret emplacement is a two hand operation. Hats/caps do not require a lot of preparation or maintenance while berets do.
- Finally, the implementation of the decision was flawed at best. We had to rely upon Chinese manufactorers to make the berets that suddenly everyone needed to wear.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 8 at 2015 12:06 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 12:06:58 -0500

SPC Mark Beard, that was just another bad decision in a compounding series of bad decisions, concerning the composition and wear of the Army uniform, that the Army has been making since post WWII. For example, to me there is nothing more ridiculous than to see an SF trooper wearing dress blues/ASUs with a green beret and bloused boots.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 3:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 15:23:11 -0500

I did not like it at all SPC Mark Beard . Especially saying that since they had not worn it for more than 25 years it was not a tradition yet. Weak excuse. It is all good though because I believe the Tan suits them better. It looks even more BADASS! IMO of course.

It was one of those crazy Political things where someone who felt a need to make their mark before leaving their position.

This new generation of everyone gets a trophy gives a false sense of success.

Those that earned their Beret know who they are. A person who went above and beyond the scope of the average Soldier. Someone who took it upon themselves to achieve something more.

Response by SGT Kristjan Rahe made Jun 8 at 2015 11:44 AM

SGT Kristjan Rahe — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:44:51 -0400

The tan does look better, but the methodology in removing the black and granting across the boat to make everyone "feel" special was incorrectly accomplished a change of male headgear on the Class A from the hate Garrison cap to one modeled on the WWII pattern would have helped. The patrol cap provides veteran coverage and protection for ACU.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 8 at 2015 12:14 PM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:14:47 -0400

I thought that the reasoning behind issuing the black beret Army-wide was silly, but the switch to tan for Rangers actually made sense if you recognized the Angliophile roots of some of our 1970s beret color selections. We picked the maroon beret from from the RA Parachute Regiment, and some tankers and cav units borrowed black from the RA's armor uniform.

In that light, the switch to tan for Rangers was effectively color-matching them to the SAS -- while also making the beret more prominent with color change.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:00 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:00:04 -0400

The rangers were not the original group to wear the black beret.

http://www.army.mil/features/beret/beret.htm

• Black Beret. The tradition of wearing black berets began with armored units. In 1924 the British Royal Tank Regiment adopted the first modern military beret, based on the Scottish highland bonnet and French Bretonne beret. The regiment selected the headgear for its practicality--brimless for use with armored vehicle fire control sights and black to hide grease stains. In the US Army, HQDA policy from 1973 through 1979 permitted local commanders to encourage morale-enhancing distinctions, and Armor and Armored Cavalry personnel wore black berets as distinctive headgear until CSA Bernard W. Rogers banned all such unofficial headgear in 1979. Rangers received authorization through AR 670-5, Uniform and Insignia, 30 January 1975, to wear black berets. Previously, locally authorized black berets had been worn briefly by the 10th Ranger Company (Airborne), 45th Infantry Division, during the Korean War before their movement to Korea; Company F (LRP), 52d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, in 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam; Company H (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 1st Cavalry Division, in 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam; and Company N (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade, in 1971 in the Republic of Vietnam.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 9:06 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:06:49 -0400

I could not believe it. What kind of Dip Shit would do that. I thought the Rangers would raise enough hell about it so they could keep them.

Response by CPL Larry Carroll made May 25 at 2017 2:10 PM

CPL Larry Carroll — Thu, 25 May 2017 14:10:13 -0400

Hated it, RLTW

Response by CW3 Kim B. made Jun 22 at 2017 12:26 PM

CW3 Kim B. — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:26:59 -0400

I wonder if the tankers felt the same way.when it was taken from them?

Response by SP5 Briborne 18 Wolf made Jun 25 at 2017 4:15 PM

SP5 Briborne 18 Wolf — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 16:15:35 -0400

As soon as I heard of the ridiculous striping of the Black Beret from our Ranger brothers I was pissed and insulted even though I wasn't one. I am Airborne and cannot imagine how it would feel to make our Blood Beret common place. It's ridiculous!!!

Response by SFC Robert Jackson made Jul 13 at 2017 11:39 AM

SFC Robert Jackson — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:39:24 -0400

Black berets in the U.S. Army Edit
In 1973, permission was granted to local commanders to encourage distinctive, morale-enhancing uniform items and the black beret was adopted by armor and armored cavalry units in the United States.

Dang Ranger's did not lead the way on the black beret??? Lol

Response by SSG Andrew Salgat made Aug 11 at 2017 10:35 PM

SSG Andrew Salgat — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:35:14 -0400

Every time I saw someone(not a ranger) wear the black beret it looked like crap. It takes time and knowhow to get a beret looking good. I was in the 82nd. It took a minimum of a couple weeks to get the beret looking high speed

Response by SP6 John Banning made Sep 10 at 2017 10:06 PM

SP6 John Banning — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 22:06:03 -0400

It was a mistake and took some of the pride from the rangers

Response by SPC Jeffery Cleland made Sep 11 at 2017 9:52 AM

SPC Jeffery Cleland — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:52:04 -0400

Pissed me off mightily. The beret as a WHOLE was to identify and......seperate the soldiers who had gone above and beyond in their training to become something more. It was awarded to those who were good but wanted to be better. The ones who were better but wanted to be the best. The best who wanted to be great. It WAS a symbol of not only pride but also of accomplishment. The black beret should've NEVER been taken from the Rangers. The tradition alone should've dictated that. Everyone one gets a participation award type mentality. Just an old Airborne troopers thoughts. AATW RLTW

Response by SPC Don Harris made Sep 11 at 2017 6:07 PM

SPC Don Harris — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 18:07:53 -0400

It was bull shit. You have to go the extra mile to earn a beret.

Response by SFC Scotty Anderson made Sep 12 at 2017 9:20 PM

SFC Scotty Anderson — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 21:20:58 -0400

I'm sure the tankers felt the same way when the army took it from them and gave it to the rangers. Imagine how special ops felt when the rangers got airborne status, and started calling themselves special operations. It really gets interesting when someone gets assigned to a ranger battalion, deploy to combat then gets told they are not a real ranger by a guy with a tab but didn't deploy anywhere.....

Response by PO2 Albert Robbins made Sep 12 at 2017 11:50 PM

PO2 Albert Robbins — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 23:50:35 -0400

Unsat. Tradition is being flushed away.

Response by SFC Deamon Cusco made Sep 13 at 2017 8:03 AM

SFC Deamon Cusco — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 08:03:55 -0400

As a ranger I was pissed ..told to wear the shit sack..first 100.000. We're sent back..had made in China on it

Response by SSG Jeffrey Monk made Sep 13 at 2017 4:49 PM

SSG Jeffrey Monk — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 16:49:45 -0400

Wings and Tabs are earned. The beret was just a piece of head gear that changed from unit to unit your in. No different than the non airborne qualified (we had allot of them in at Ft Richardson) who still wore the maroon or the guy who served four years in Ranger Bat who PCSed to a line Division.

Response by SGT Chester Beedle made Sep 13 at 2017 8:47 PM

SGT Chester Beedle — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 20:47:45 -0400

No worse than I would have if I'd have been around when the tankers had their black berets taken away. Then later given to the rangers. They were so pissed that some burned their berets in protest over the rangers getting them.

Response by CPT Wayne Knight made Sep 13 at 2017 11:56 PM

CPT Wayne Knight — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 23:56:16 -0400

Not happy. I earned my black Ranger beret. And ad vain as it may sound, I put up with Ranger School and continued @75th for the privilege of standing out in the sea of green. If you want to look special then be special.

Response by SSG John Patrick O'Hara made Sep 16 at 2017 10:21 AM

SSG John Patrick O'Hara — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 10:21:21 -0400

It made me sick.....pres.Clinton is an A hole!

Response by Anne Rawls made Sep 16 at 2017 2:41 PM

Anne Rawls — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 14:41:02 -0400

Different colors should signify different training. i.e. BLk rangers tan infantry red whatever

Response by PO2 Albert Robbins made Sep 17 at 2017 11:17 PM

PO2 Albert Robbins — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 23:17:32 -0400

Didn't think it was a good idea. Still miss my crackerjack and dixie cup.

Response by SGM Tomes Alexandrescu made Sep 21 at 2017 7:06 AM

SGM Tomes Alexandrescu — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 07:06:32 -0400

It pissed me the hell off.Still does.

Response by SSG Mike Angle made Sep 22 at 2017 5:49 PM

SSG Mike Angle — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:49:42 -0400

I am a former RANGER taking away the black beret was wrong. If the ARMY wanted the conventional troops to wear a beret then they should have been given the tan

Response by 2LT Michael Tiedel made Sep 25 at 2017 7:54 PM

2LT Michael Tiedel — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 19:54:58 -0400

Sad!!!!

Response by SFC Steve M. made Sep 27 at 2017 8:51 PM

SFC Steve M. — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:51:03 -0400

Pissed and disgusted.

Response by SFC Steve M. made Sep 27 at 2017 8:51 PM

SFC Steve M. — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:51:35 -0400

Lost total respect for shinseki after that...

Response by SGT Robert Haire made Sep 30 at 2017 4:17 PM

SGT Robert Haire — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 16:17:01 -0400

Too many simularities, personally I didn't have a problem with the baseball type or field cap, the baseball looked best. It the field type cap was more practical

Response by PO1 Greg Aardal made Oct 1 at 2017 2:07 AM

PO1 Greg Aardal — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 02:07:22 -0400

Not involved.

Response by SFC Jeff Roy made Oct 6 at 2017 7:10 PM

SFC Jeff Roy — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 19:10:41 -0400

I think the Rangers should have kept their black berets. It was their signature.

Response by SSG Henry Kearsley made Oct 9 at 2017 2:47 PM

SSG Henry Kearsley — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:47:05 -0400

I was not happy about that because that was who the ranger are and part of there history.

Response by MAJ Mark Kottka made Oct 23 at 2017 7:45 PM

MAJ Mark Kottka — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 19:45:39 -0400

Older, retired Combat Arms Mustang was once again scratching my head. Specially headgear for those specialized units, sure. To take the headgear color of a unit already established, shameful.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 10:12 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 22:12:52 -0500

I was pissed... The Black Beret should have been considered an award...like the Green Beret is for the guys in SF. The Black Beret was EARNED. Taking their beret away and handing it out to anybody and everybody was a slap in the face to the Rangers.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 3 at 2017 10:44 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 22:44:45 -0500

Although I'm not Army I think it never should have been done and not only the black berets but any beret should have been reserved for people in special units where the beret had to be earned. The Air Force also does have some members that wear berets but not everyone, they are used to identify people with special skills that they trained for. Black berets were only for Rangers in the Army and Combat Controllers in the Air Force and both required extensive special training to qualify for.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 4 at 2017 3:07 AM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 03:07:55 -0500

What could be worse...?

Response by SGT Rick Myers made Apr 22 at 2018 9:58 PM

SGT Rick Myers — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 21:58:43 -0400

Bottom line it blows! It wasn’t broken so don’t fix it!! Big snafu when they did it!!

Response by SSG Rick Miller made Apr 28 at 2018 12:20 PM

SSG Rick Miller — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 12:20:54 -0400

It was wrong, wrong, wrong. The black beret belongs to Rangers, not every soldier.