Posted on Dec 24, 2013
Should the Army go back to wearing the black beret?
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Being prior Army, when the Army un-assed the Rangers from the black beret, I was sick. If there MUST be berets, keep it with the "special" people... Airborne, rangers, and special forces. From my medical perspective, the hat that makes the MOST sense is the boonie hat. Sun protection to ears, face, and neck. Lots of people will cringe because they don't think the boonie hat is professional looking, but medically and utilitarian wise, makes the most sense.
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MAJ Hugh Blanchard
I always thought the Boonie Hat was a very practical piece of headgear. Either use that or the patrol cap for field use. For Class A, a beret is as good as anything else, but for heaven's sake, don't take one of the existing unit's berets (Airbrone, Ranger, or Special Forces), please.
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SPC Bill Howell
I was served with the artillery in Vietnam. We wore the boonie hats. I really liked them. I think the berets should go to the special units.
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SPC Benjamin Hartog
The Roman army of antiquity was not equipped with exceptional or flamboyant headgear like the Polish Hussars or the Grenadier Guards of the Napoleonic wars. The most useful helmet was the WWII Wehrmacht's Stendhal winch provided better protection to the soldier wearing it.
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<p>Personally, I was never a big fan of the beret as the replacement to the patrol cap as the headgear for the duty uniform. I didn't feel it was practical in the motor pool, in sunny weather, in the rain, etc... With that being said, my opinion was not asked when the decision was made. I, along with everyone else in the Army at the time, complied...two bags full and moved out. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Here is a little humor from PowerPoint Ranger reference the different "styles" that we saw during the "Age of the Black Beret..."</p>
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PO1 Terry Scott
As a swabi and corpsman who remembers every recruit sun burning the tops of their ears to include mine, the boonie hat gets my vote for all utility head wear. Every service, even if it is Aquaflaged for the Navy. As far as the cover that pops off, that's why the marines screw theirs on. As far as the Dixie cup, Gilligan hat goes. Steve McQueen in 'The Sand Pebbles" is the only way to wear it. FYI, he was the sole and ranking member of "The black gang." It never ceases to amaze me how much money is/was sucked out of our pay due to the whims of fashion out of the higher echelon of the pentagon's wives. Berets, you have to earn it and then you can wear what ever hear gear, cap or cover you deem appropriate.
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SSG Gregg Mourizen
Tho I prefered "Pirate" style, you are missing a few.
To prove a point once, I turned the flash all the way forward, and pushed it all the way down, like a ball cap, or a golfers cap. In my unit, there seemed to be as many ways to wear the beret, as we had people. Stitching, startching forming it how ever they wanted. I wore it that way, for about an hour. Indoors and out. Through the hospital, then the barracks, and so on.
Not only did I give up in discust, that no one corrected me, but the next day it seemed everyone was wearing it that way. I just gave up after that.
To prove a point once, I turned the flash all the way forward, and pushed it all the way down, like a ball cap, or a golfers cap. In my unit, there seemed to be as many ways to wear the beret, as we had people. Stitching, startching forming it how ever they wanted. I wore it that way, for about an hour. Indoors and out. Through the hospital, then the barracks, and so on.
Not only did I give up in discust, that no one corrected me, but the next day it seemed everyone was wearing it that way. I just gave up after that.
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MSgt Richard Goldy
PO1 Terry Scott - Seems like every time there is a command change the incoming wants to put their stamp on that service. Diff headgear, diff uni colors, blue shirts (AF) or white. Blue camis (WOW ! Who thought that up?)They all just want to say "I did that."
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SPC Benjamin Hartog
My best friend, PFC Gary Fox, was KIA by a perfect head shot by a NVA sniper. His helmet did not protect him. SPC Benjamin
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SPC Benjamin Hartog
My best friend, PFC Gary Fox, was KIA by a perfect head shot by a NVA sniper. His helmet did not protect him. SPC Benjamin
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