What do you think about the wear of organizational headgear such as colored berets?

2020-05-21T19:26:28-04:00

What are your thoughts on the wear of organizational headgear? If you are assigned to a ranger unit, you wear the tan beret. Airborne unit, maroon beret. Special Forces unit, green beret. Personally, IMHO even if I was assigned to a unit that was authorized special headgear/organizational headgear, I wouldn't wear the organizational headgear unless I was airborne, special forces, ranger qualified because I don't feel I have earned the right to wear such an item. What are your thoughts? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish MSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2020 7:35 PM

2020-05-21T19:35:30-04:00

Ah I don’t see it as any different than someone wearing awards/unit citations the unit received they did not receive with the unit.

You are a member of that unit you wear what they wear.

Others may feel different.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2020 7:36 PM

2020-05-21T19:36:58-04:00

The Green Beret is not organizational headgear. Special Forces Groups are Airborne units, CMF 18 wears the Green Beret. It is distinctive to the CMF. The support Soldiers still wear Maroon while assigned to a Group. The SFAB also has the brown beret as organizational. There are also talks for Distinctive berets for Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs.
The point is that unique skills deserve to be recognized, being a uniformed service there are only certain ways to do it. The other point is it is usually shown another way if someone is just wearing the beret or actually has the skill.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 21 at 2020 7:41 PM

2020-05-21T19:41:28-04:00

As a Marine, I have nothing but respect for the US Army's warfighting skills. That said... the Army's uniform quandaries are a source of great amusement to Marines. You guys have more hats than the ladies at the Kentucky Derby.

P.S. My favorite crayon flavor is orange.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2020 9:03 PM

2020-05-21T21:03:22-04:00

We can discuss Infantry blue cords and discs, Cavalry Stetsons and spurs, why EOD, aviation, and Riggers get a badge just for finishing AIT, as well.
When you make everyone the same, they want to be different.

Response by SGT Brad Baier made May 21 at 2020 9:52 PM

2020-05-21T21:52:38-04:00

I didn't like it when the Black beret became part of the head gear for the army soldier. Black was a sign your were and Army Ranger, you earned that cover. Do they have a beret for Sappers?

Response by CPL Earl Kochis made May 21 at 2020 10:35 PM

2020-05-21T22:35:21-04:00

My opinion would be biased! AIRBORNE

Response by SGT Russell Chewning made May 21 at 2020 11:55 PM

2020-05-21T23:55:59-04:00

I believe that no matter what unit you are stationed in, you will wear the headgear prescribed by your unit commander. Outside of that, you can discuss your feelings about wearing headgear that you did not "earn", but that seems kind of pointless as every other member of your unit will be aware of the headgear's mandatory nature, so it's not like you will experience peer pressure over it.

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 12:08 AM

2020-05-22T00:08:21-04:00

I'm a paratrooper. Im one with the color maroon .The men and women before me wore this color and the ones after me will too. This is my color so of course. It just sucks having to wear it in OCPs but thats part of it.

On another note, it was my understanding that the green beret was looked at as an award in itself?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 22 at 2020 12:18 AM

2020-05-22T00:18:35-04:00

All I can say, SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, is that I’m glad mine was green!

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made May 22 at 2020 12:29 AM

2020-05-22T00:29:46-04:00

I loved every minute of wearing my beret.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 3:27 AM

2020-05-22T03:27:02-04:00

So you wouldn't wear the assigned uniform you were ordered to....
Noted.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 4:09 AM

2020-05-22T04:09:47-04:00

Glad I earned the Black one before it became tan. There is no other feeling like the Donning of the Beret ceremony. When you actually earn your beret, it feels like one of the most incredible moments of your life. It was on par with the moment I had my tab pinned on me.

Haters will hate, but only those who have walked the walk will understand what it's like to fill those shoes; and I stand with respect and awe to every Paratrooper and Ranger who came before me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 7:35 AM

2020-05-22T07:35:08-04:00

Headgear is part of a prescribed uniform. It's not a choice. That being said, I appreciate your humbleness in not wanting to take away anything from those who earned it.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made May 22 at 2020 10:20 AM

2020-05-22T10:20:44-04:00

I don't rate any... so doesn't affect me personally one way or the other. In a broader sense, I think the Military has become too enamored with trying to make everybody "feel special". Special units get special stuff for special reasons... that's why they're "special". As for the Army; as I understand it-the maroon beret was "inherited" from the British "Paras", and the green berets from the British commando units. If we wanted to really split hairs... those honors were earned by men during WWII for what they did during the same. If true, I presume the continued tradition goes beyond merely completing a course of selection... and includes a commitment to meet and fulfill the same traditions and obligations, each day one claims membership in that brotherhood.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 10:29 AM

2020-05-22T10:29:56-04:00

Beret is the most useless headgear ever. It serves no practical purpose whatsoever.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 22 at 2020 12:13 PM

2020-05-22T12:13:22-04:00

Flippin hated it when the RGR Rgt switched to tan and the Army took the black beret.It was silly and stupid- hats do not instill esprit de corps, nor knowledge or ability, It is as much as a badge saying I did it and am elite as the Tabs, and other badges,

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made May 22 at 2020 12:53 PM

2020-05-22T12:53:27-04:00

The Air Force uses a crayola box of beret colors as well. I can say there were times it sucked wearing one, aka hot sunny day. It was usually best to be in weapon storage areas those days as we were authorized to wear patrol caps there instead of the dark blue beret.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 22 at 2020 1:00 PM

2020-05-22T13:00:26-04:00

I'm old enough to remember talk of an infantry blue color beret for units designated light infantry, along with a tab. Thank the gods, sanity prevailed.

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made May 22 at 2020 2:07 PM

2020-05-22T14:07:42-04:00

this colored berets thing has been talked about since I was a young soldier in the 80s to think a beret the color of infantry blue was cool back then. Now as a grown up its just not practical to do so. Not to mention seeing soldiers today many who don't wear the head gear properly to start with to many soldiers are just to lazy to wear them right

Response by SPC Perry Gresham made May 22 at 2020 6:12 PM

2020-05-22T18:12:32-04:00

I would feel the same way, but you know what they say about uniformity being the key to success.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 22 at 2020 9:31 PM

2020-05-22T21:31:11-04:00

Organizational headgear is like the DUI of a unit -- you wear it because you're there. It's the tab on your shoulder that's hard to get. Any doofus can get a hat.

Response by CW4 David Surles made May 23 at 2020 5:32 PM

2020-05-23T17:32:44-04:00

Well first of all, have no fear, you won't wear the green beret even if you go to a SF unit because that one is earned. As for going to a Ranger unit, you still have to go through a process to get into that unit as well, so if you don't have your tab then regardless of your headgear, you still have a lot to prove. Finally, your an E5, when you go tell the 1SG that you aren't going to wear the beret after your assigned to say the 82 ABN DIV, call me first. I would love to see how the 1SG takes that.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 30 at 2020 11:51 AM

2020-05-30T11:51:33-04:00

As an Air Force guy I don’t get the Army preoccupation with headgear. Headgear should be practical. The field cap is practical and could be worn with all work or combat uniforms. Service and dress uniforms should have one or two standard headgear that all Soldiers wear. One purpose of a uniform is uniformity.

I know I need to give that same advice to the Air Force. The distinctive headgear thing has begun to infiltrate that Service also.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Jun 1 at 2020 4:20 PM

2020-06-01T16:20:32-04:00

It's been a while but as I remember the only unit that has special headgear that all the troops wear is 82nd Airborne. I'm not sure if it is authorized for legs. I always thought that Ranger and SF berets were only worn by qualified troops, similar to Drill Sgt hats are only worn by DS assigned as DS. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Response by SrA Jeff Cash made Jun 5 at 2020 8:05 PM

2020-06-05T20:05:28-04:00

When I served those wearing berets earned them by way of their special job, training and/or authority and definitely earned them and the pride that went with them. I've been out for 30 years now and understood at some point they were giving everyone berets which I thought was a bad idea and took away from everyone who earned the distinction that they represented in our military branches.

Response by SGT Ron Cummings made Jun 7 at 2020 9:52 AM

2020-06-07T09:52:47-04:00

The more things change... In the mid 70s every local unit was into the beret thing. Eventually it got out of hand and only Airborne, SF and Rangers could wear them (as was proper). And now we're sliding back into a different hat for every MOS. Maybe we can add a few dozen tabs too!! Starting to look like a girl scout uniform.

Response by SP6 Greg Jetter made Jun 13 at 2020 1:28 PM

2020-06-13T13:28:53-04:00

This is a very old debate , in 1972 I was assigned to the 172nd Arctic Infantry brigade. A no longer in existence unit . We had as our mission Arctic and mountain operations . Similar to the 10th mountain division but specializing in "Arctic warfare" with air mobile operation , long term cold weather operation at the poles both north and south. At that time we had distinctive head and foot gear , a OD Green blanket colored beret. And for foot gear , Mountain Boots . This distinguish our unit form any other U.S. Army unit , it helped build us into the worlds best Arctic/Mountain force. No adversary or ally could challenge us it that environment.

Then one day a new Army chief of staff took over and eliminated our head and foot gear , the explanation was we needed to be just like every other soldier in appearance , good morale and discipline ..... It had the exact counter affect. We were no longer "Special" and it did effect our performance as well as our retention .

We went from "Elite specialized war fighters" with exceptional skills in a special form of combat to just another bunch of grunts rotating through an assignment . No one asked the troops or NCO's or even the officers and commander , it was a directive from the Pentagon from folks who had never even bothered to visit the people their decision would affect.

It comes down to there is a time and place for distinctive head gear and our leaders need to consider it's usage on a case by case basis .

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Jun 14 at 2020 7:31 AM

2020-06-14T07:31:21-04:00

Except for Special Forces, I was out way before the beret era. Good thing too. My son's still in. I tried one of his on. Like any other piece of wardrobe, some guys can pull it off, I couldn't. Glad I was in during the garrison cap era.

Response by SGT Christiphor Ballestero made Jun 16 at 2020 1:29 PM

2020-06-16T13:29:42-04:00

Don't forget the Cav Soldier's Stetson hats. Everybody want to be a cowboy.

Response by MAJ Stephen Barnard made Jun 26 at 2020 4:16 AM

2020-06-26T04:16:07-04:00

I'm surprised you think you would have a choice in terms of headgear...

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Jun 26 at 2020 2:36 PM

2020-06-26T14:36:24-04:00

Authorization of a distinct headgear/cover significantly contributed to the pride, the esprit de corps, that most of us felt. To be a Paratrooper, a Ranger or a Special Forces Operator meant that we had taken extra steps to be more capable of defending our nation. We stood out from the rest of the Army. In my opinion, the policy of distinct headgear for elite units only should be reinstated.

Response by SP5 Randell Anderson made Jun 26 at 2020 3:33 PM

2020-06-26T15:33:23-04:00

Only elite groups had them when I was in and that was fine with me because I don't like them.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 26 at 2020 7:45 PM

2020-06-26T19:45:21-04:00

Similar principle...

Response by SPC Ruben Marin made Jun 26 at 2020 11:49 PM

2020-06-26T23:49:27-04:00

When SETAF wore maroon berets, many of us had to wear the maroon beret and we weren't Airborne. I didn't like the requirement, but that is what everyone on post wore, Airborne or not. When you're at the bottom of the food chain you just do what the Army tells you to.

Response by PO1 Maryann Lumley made Jun 27 at 2020 12:30 AM

2020-06-27T00:30:34-04:00

They are impressive or should I say handsome.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2020 12:28 PM

2020-06-27T12:28:59-04:00

I think you wear what your commander tells you to wear as long as it’s IAW with AR 670-1. Pretty simple really.

Response by PO1 Ronald Parker made Jun 27 at 2020 12:36 PM

2020-06-27T12:36:55-04:00

I believe it instills a sense of pride and ownership.

Response by SGT Hugh Bowman made Jun 28 at 2020 6:59 AM

2020-06-28T06:59:12-04:00

Well I myself joined the US Army at the end of OCT 1994. With budget consideration not everyone had the same funding therefore the quality of training differs from unit to unit and troops treat each other the same. If you ever heard the term pog. Now the identifying things such as headgear even patches people are treated differently. Take the Marine Corp you don’t see that. All wear the same. With no unique identifier clothing. All treated the same. I believe the navy is similar. Not sure about Airforce. I remember when the Army adopted the black beret the beat argument. This was from SFC from 2bn Ft Lewis. The clothing isn’t what makes the man

Response by SPC David Giffen made Jun 29 at 2020 6:14 AM

2020-06-29T06:14:53-04:00

At least we are not as bad as the Air Force. They currently have 7 colors of berets.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jun 29 at 2020 7:21 AM

2020-06-29T07:21:29-04:00

I was career Air Force (after a short Army Reserve transfer), so my opinion as an outsider is that I like seeing the organizational headgear in the Army. One thing I always admired about the Army was their strong identity with units and functions. The Air Force lacks this sense of identity with anything than our awesome dining facilities with steak, lobster, and caviar, and our ability to get free stuff at the airports when our service dress uniform is mistaken for pilot or flight attendant uniforms. My advice to the Army: wear your organizational headgear proudly. Maybe an Airman will mistake you for a Ranger and invite you into the elite member's lounge at the airport for wine and lobster, or maybe will sneak you into the champagne room at the dining facility. Airmen love hearing cool war stories. Hint: if you have a colored beret and you are just a desk jockey you can lie to us and get these perks--we cannot tell the difference.

Response by Sgt Craig McGlinn made Jun 29 at 2020 3:52 PM

2020-06-29T15:52:15-04:00

I think the Army has done itself a "dis-service". I believe the original beret (at least for the US military) was the green beret to denote the Special Forces created by President Kennedy back in the 60's. Then, it had "flair and distinction" that identified the Green Berets as an elite fighting force. Now (in my opinion) it has been cheapened by everyone in the Army wearing a beret. All the berets, and patches and badges and crests and braids and flashes and... is a little comical to us (Marines). That said, as has been mentioned by others in other posts, I respect all of our services (and I'm truly glad that we're "all on the same side"); call it arrogant, cocky, or whatever, but Marines are fine being identified by our "standard" uniforms... Semper Fi!

Response by SGT Scott Carter made Jun 30 at 2020 1:51 AM

2020-06-30T01:51:51-04:00

Personally I hated wearing a beret. Preferred the soft cap. Berets just aren’t very functional.

Response by SPC Kenneth Bowles made Jun 30 at 2020 5:27 AM

2020-06-30T05:27:50-04:00

I like them.

Response by 1SG Jason Almond made Jul 1 at 2020 11:04 AM

2020-07-01T11:04:11-04:00

I love some of the comments from my marine buddies. I’ll add my .02 cents.

I was a full on pogue. Military Intelligence/ Linguist. No airborne / air assault/ ranger / SF—none of it. I did have the unique experience of beginning my career in the 2nd ACR where we were all cross trained as scouts. I spent the rest of my career in tactical / combat units in direct support roles. Got in a few fire fights and other kinetic operations BUT-
- I’ve never kicked in a door
- I never was the one looking for the enemy (I listened for them,lol)
- I never had to go to months of tactical / extreme physical training to do things 98% of the military can’t do.

I went to language school and sat at a desk for 63 weeks.

I have zero problems with folks who earn the badges, berets, tridents, patches, and all that.
I brought something a little different- so did they.
My specialty doesn’t necessarily flow to live or die moments. Theirs do— and that’s the point.

If your training puts you on the top of the spear- I don’t see why anyone would have a problem with the blade appearing “a little more shine” than the rest of it.

Response by Capt Edward Egan made Jul 1 at 2020 3:39 PM

2020-07-01T15:39:24-04:00

From what I've seen, only the Brits wear a beret properly. Why would you want to look like a Frenchie or an effete artiste anyway, no matter what the color of your beanie?

Aren't there enough tabs, patches, and badges to identify ones special qualifications? The rainbow array sort of defeats the idea of "uniform".

Response by SFC Nate Robertson made Jul 1 at 2020 11:17 PM

2020-07-01T23:17:09-04:00

Artillery had red beret and ascots

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Jul 2 at 2020 8:32 AM

2020-07-02T08:32:24-04:00

I was in the ARMY. and the discussions are a great source of great amusement to me also....

Response by SPC Clayton Ellzey made Jul 2 at 2020 11:21 AM

2020-07-02T11:21:21-04:00

My CAV Regiment wore them in the 70's and 80's and had different camo patterns. It let the rest know they were looking at some BAMF's
Then for some reason we were made to join regular Army only to have them issue beanies and change camo pattern to what we had.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 2 at 2020 5:29 PM

2020-07-02T17:29:35-04:00

no to berets except for special forces types (airborne etc)

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Jul 2 at 2020 11:15 PM

2020-07-02T23:15:09-04:00

Really? Are you ladies frigging kidding me? I will answer this in the simplest terms possible. You will wear whichever head gear matches your participation trophy. Just remember this: There are no winners and there are no losers. You will ALL get a medal for trying your very best. So stop crying and dry up those tears. Dig in your purses and sport those chapeaus proudly, becoming a wonderful RAINBOW.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 3 at 2020 10:26 AM

2020-07-03T10:26:35-04:00

Actually not true for SF, one has to be full flash qualified to wear the green beanie. Gone are the days with beanie and candy stripe. I, a leg, was assigned to USASFC and was duty with USASOC. I had to wear the maroon beanie, as the airborne folks are not picky and let chairborne troops wear it, too. Not sure about Rangers. The rangers of my day, M Company, 3rd Bn, 75th Inf attached to 199th Inf BDE for LRRP duty, wore either OD boonie hats or a VN camo beanie.

Response by MAJ John Douglas made Jul 3 at 2020 10:30 AM

2020-07-03T10:30:55-04:00

Concentrate on war fighting skills for a change please.

Response by SFC John Barna made Jul 3 at 2020 7:00 PM

2020-07-03T19:00:09-04:00

I always hated the beret - it is a useless piece of equipment. The soft cap was better and the boonie cap (which I still wear outside when it's raining) was the best.

Response by SSgt Michael Dale made Jul 3 at 2020 8:49 PM

2020-07-03T20:49:25-04:00

You went through a demanding course to earn the right to be called a Marine, earning a beret is no different. Originally, only 2 Air Force units earned a beret, Pararescue and Combat Control. They aren’t just handed out for participation but have to be earned in one of the hardest and longest series of demanding courses. Like a pilot or paratrooper earning their wings, it is given for completing a tough task and denotes to others in the military that the person who is wearing it has earned the right. One of the proudest moments of my life was when I was handed mine.

Response by COL Guam Vet made Jul 5 at 2020 10:04 AM

2020-07-05T10:04:58-04:00

I am 31 years an army officer, but I am afraid I have to agree with the Jarine. All of these colored berets are silly. The Special Forces and Rangers have earned them. The rest of us should be wearing traditional caps. General Shinseki instituted this beret idea to help recruiting. Get the skinny losers to dump their skateboards for the chance to look like something they could never be. We need to find a better recruiting tool...

Response by SPC Bryan Gustafson made Jul 5 at 2020 5:31 PM

2020-07-05T17:31:34-04:00

I concur wholeheartedly with you on this matter. I'm a traditional guy with traditional US Army values. I went to jump school and earned my beret. My slogan is simple "If not worn by a paratrooper, the beret is nothing more than a hat."

Response by PFC Flor Gomez made Jul 7 at 2020 9:27 AM

2020-07-07T09:27:49-04:00

If the unit dress uniform calls for it. I say training is in order to earn it.

Response by LTC George Morgan made Jul 8 at 2020 4:06 PM

2020-07-08T16:06:05-04:00

Indicative of Esprit de Corps. Special units work hard in training to obtain the right to wear their specific Beret!

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Jul 12 at 2020 1:09 PM

2020-07-12T13:09:18-04:00

It's that dang-gummed swamp gasses what surround the "Not Square" in Arlington Va... It affects everything to do with the US Military... I know that for a fact... My last year in uniform was under 10 USC 1176, and I was assigned to G-1 HRC US Army, Alexandria Va. Carried marbles with me the entire time I was in Virginia... I didn't come under the effects of the "swamp gasses" as long as I had my marbles with me.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jul 12 at 2020 10:48 PM

2020-07-12T22:48:07-04:00

They are just hats and in my opinion not a practical head gear. But since prescribe by DA worn according to regs

Response by MAJ John Lavin made Jul 22 at 2020 9:59 PM

2020-07-22T21:59:06-04:00

I don’t like berets in any way. They look sissified to me.
When I was in Naples, Italy several years ago I noticed that a lot of men carried “man purses”. And a lot of the men carrying “man purses” also wore berets, or beret like hats. I thought that they just looked silly.

So when the beret was introduced as part of the Army uniform for all soldiers about 10 years ago I wondered why. The only answer to why the Army was all of a sudden smitten by berets I could ever get was that the US Army, as a member of NATO, wanted to modify the US Army uniform to more identify itself with the other NATO member nations and berets was the answer. This didn’t make any sense to me but who am I to question it. So since other members of NATO wear berets we, the US Army would too and now we do. So if Italian men carry “man purses” and wear berets and Italy is a member of NATO I think all you AD soldiers better start looking for your TD 50-901 “man purses” so you too can look real NATOIsh when the time comes for the US Army to look more NATOIsh than those trend setting Italians do.

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Jul 23 at 2020 1:17 PM

2020-07-23T13:17:04-04:00

I'm so out of touch with the headgear thing... We were issued a Dress Saucer cap and a C U Next Tuesday headgear.. In fatigues it was the hard round cap.... I didn't particularly like any one them but those were the issue... I think we may have gone to a ball cap with fatigues before I was discharged?
I thought the green berets were pretty trick and deserved for the Special Forces ... I think the Green should remain for the Special Forces and one other color for the remainder.... It tends to get a lot crazy ...

Is there a page on this site where I can go to understand all the abbreviations and initials for all the different terms.... All I remember is AWOL?

Response by MSG Don Burt made Jul 24 at 2020 3:00 PM

2020-07-24T15:00:15-04:00

I know what you're saying...I was serving when the change over started and I hated having to wear
the beret as dress or worse, as a utility hat. You have no shade protection for the eyes in daylight. Beret belongs to the "special designated" units, but not all should have to wear it. Of course, that's me.

Response by LCpl Folsom White made Jul 26 at 2020 9:35 PM

2020-07-26T21:35:47-04:00

I served active duty Marine Corps 1979-83. At that time, the only distinguishing attire were jump wings, scuba mask, and French Forrageure, pardon my spelling. Otherwise, regardless of which uniform, you couldn’t tell one Marine from another. I have the utmost respect for all branches of service and their respective units.
Several years ago I was escorting several high school juniors to American Legion Boys State. They were online looking at pics of uniforms and unit badges and emblems. They were confused by the different color berets of the army and a little disappointed that I couldn’t identify them. One of them brought up a pic of a jarhead in his 8 panel soft cover. All of them in unison exclaimed, “MARINE”! Made me feel proud. There’s no mistaking the USMC soft utility cover.

Response by Capt Hansel Bumgarner made Aug 3 at 2020 10:05 AM

2020-08-03T10:05:34-04:00

I am wondering if any military branch has designed a more useless cover in the past 150 years than the beret. It’s hot in the summer. It doesn’t keep the sun or rain out of your eyes. It looks like it’s trying to melt and slide off your head.

As Marines, we have always thought it humorous that so many in the Army want to distinguish themselves apart from other Army units. Is not being just in the Army good enough?

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made Aug 7 at 2020 2:09 AM

2020-08-07T02:09:25-04:00

WHEN I WAD IN SERVICE, ONLY THE GREEN BARE AS WORN AND I MUST BE EARNED NOT GIVEN. MARINES SHOULD UNDERSTAND THIS AFTER ALL IT IS IN YOUR RECRUTIN ADVERTISEMENTS..
THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE IS IF NOT WORN PROPERLY IT IS SLOPPY LOOKING HEADGEAR. THE COLORS ARE FOR REGIMENAL AND BATTALION DISTINCTION. NOW ALL SERVICES WEAR THE BARET. PO2/SGT E TAYLOR

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 9 at 2020 9:52 PM

2020-08-09T21:52:46-04:00

You wear the organizational items that are directed. My only beef was taking the black beret away from the Ranger Regiment. Although ACRs were wearing them in the 1970s. The CSA should have issued a dark brown (think campaign hat) color to “everyone else”.

The original ALARACT said that units without flashes would ultimately design their own. The blue one was temporary. Then the fights started and it all stopped and went full sh*tshow.

I don’t agree with a branch color approach. QM and AR will fight over how buff is your buff. OD, LG, TC, SIG, and Artillery will all be a blur. I think distinctive colors for a handful of special units works. Then the rank and file have one with unit specific flashes.

Response by SSgt Terrance James made Aug 13 at 2020 10:10 AM

2020-08-13T10:10:46-04:00

I agree, if you haven't earned it you should be entitled to wear it.

Response by PFC Craig Karshner made Aug 13 at 2020 1:30 PM

2020-08-13T13:30:50-04:00

I was a Army Ranger i think earning the beret made it very special

Response by PO1 David Gray made Aug 13 at 2020 8:14 PM

2020-08-13T20:14:41-04:00

If everyone gets a beret, no matter what color it is, does anyone really have one?

Response by Sgt Stonewall Jackson III made Aug 13 at 2020 11:56 PM

2020-08-13T23:56:18-04:00

When the only Beret was green it was something special. And highly regarded.
Now?
It's a clown show.

Response by Sgt Jim Mullins made Aug 14 at 2020 11:42 AM

2020-08-14T11:42:07-04:00

Army has lots of covers/hats

Response by SP6 Greg Jetter made Aug 14 at 2020 2:41 PM

2020-08-14T14:41:48-04:00

I would wear whatever the command told me to wear , that being said wearing the Green,Black or maroon beret are reserved for those folks who have successfully qualified and been awarded it. I would feel the same about being told to wear a ranger tab , jump wings or CIB . I did not earn it and I would be ashamed to wear it. I'm sure 90% of the rest of the force feels the same.

Response by PO1 Michael Garrett made Aug 14 at 2020 5:19 PM

2020-08-14T17:19:18-04:00

As a us navy sailor I have always felt that a special headgear should be worn for elite units, only. By designating these beret's for everyone, you cheapen the meaning of the special gear

Response by SP5 Edwin Lesperance made Aug 14 at 2020 10:04 PM

2020-08-14T22:04:25-04:00

I think it increases morale.
We had to wear the hated OD baseball caps.

Response by LTC Michael Garrison made Aug 16 at 2020 11:38 AM

2020-08-16T11:38:04-04:00

Having been in both the Marines and Army Reserve, I like to keep things simple and keep the special head gear to a minimum.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Aug 16 at 2020 10:08 PM

2020-08-16T22:08:02-04:00

Sorry my father LtC. Herres was a member of 10th SF in Germany when the Green Beret was authorized. Decades later everyone wanted a beret. Jump on the band wagon. Oh ya everyone wears one now. Looks like British took over or worse, the french!

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Aug 16 at 2020 11:39 PM

2020-08-16T23:39:18-04:00

Who gets Pink?

Response by SFC Randall Atchison made Aug 16 at 2020 11:52 PM

2020-08-16T23:52:09-04:00

I think they are silly looking.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made Aug 17 at 2020 10:34 AM

2020-08-17T10:34:35-04:00

I was one of the fortunate ones to wear the Black beret way back when. Agree on berets for Special Forces, Ranger, & Airborne. To be honest, my pet peeve is allowing people to wear the beret who have no clue about wearing it. You don’t see that with green, tan, or maroon berets.

Response by SGT Allen Treviranus made Aug 18 at 2020 9:57 AM

2020-08-18T09:57:49-04:00

Hot sweaty stinky nasty things. My DD214 keeps my head cool nowadays.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Aug 18 at 2020 1:56 PM

2020-08-18T13:56:29-04:00

I prefer to wear the beret, it fits better than any other headgear.
The history of the beret is not what most people think though. The first berets were black (to hide grease), and used by tankers so they could fit the communication headset over it.

As far as "earning it" all soldiers earn the black beret by completing Basic.

Not that hard of a concept to understand.

Response by SFC Sgt Bmac made Aug 20 at 2020 5:08 PM

2020-08-20T17:08:37-04:00

In the 2nd ACR we were Cav Scouts and Tankers,we wore the Black Berets.
I felt it was an Insult for non Armor troops to sport out Black Berets

Response by SGT Sam Harvey made Aug 20 at 2020 9:45 PM

2020-08-20T21:45:54-04:00

Berets should be used to show achievement of a soldier for his dedication not given out to the soldier for just marking time until they can get out!

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Aug 29 at 2020 11:54 PM

2020-08-29T23:54:28-04:00

We all have a need to identify with what we do, and as far as I'm concerned different colored berets or the mesh type ball caps that many USAF units used to wear provides that identity. As for being assigned to a unit and not wearing the authorized headgear unless you actually possess that specialty goes against being part of the team. Even in a support role you are a part of the unit and should show solidarity by wearing the headgear, if at all authorized.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Sep 6 at 2020 9:39 PM

2020-09-06T21:39:51-04:00

Finally receiving the coveted liberty card from Camp Geiger named in honor of General Roy Geiger, a Marine aviator and commander of the I Amphibious Corps, III Amphibious Corps, and the Tenth United States Army during World War II. Approximately 5 months and 2 weeks of training on Parris Island and the boonies of Camp Geiger. The platoons came out of the field and stood the junk on the bunk and platoon inspection that might, might get the highly prized 72 hour liberty card. By this time would have boxed the 7th Fleet champ for a liberty card. Passed inspections and received 72 hours liberty with no idea on transportation off station or required return for more training. A little metal bus stop sign some distance up the company road had caught my attention. Standing in my squared away uniform at the bus stop sign with my U.S.M.C. UA bag not knowing if or when a bus or cattle car would even stop. Then noticed a 68 Road Runner with the trunk up further down the road. Permanent personnel Corporal from Virginia was loading up. Cost for a "Swope" back the Richmond was $5.00.
After stopping for gasoline and whiskey in a non dry county some miles from J. Ville we observed a solider with a green beret and blousy jump boots was hitching. We stopped and made room. After some required ribbing about the army and "are the girl scouts pissed about the beret thing" ? We started asking serious green beret training questions. The soldier stated he did not know much. He was assigned to a SF unit office and was therefore authorized in wearing the green beret and blousy boots but was not SF. Made no sense.
When the N. Carolinian highway patrol stopped us for speeding and we all had I.D.'s taken except the solider. Required to follow the trooper to go before the justice of the peace but the soldier was let go and started hitching again. Then it made sense. Green, my favorite crayon was green.

Response by SSgt Robert Van Buhler III made Sep 11 at 2020 12:06 PM

2020-09-11T12:06:40-04:00

It used to mean something, until General Shenseki took away the Black Beret from the Rangers. Now all the folks get their own version. Ho hum. Green beret meant something. FAC Air Force blue beret did and the Ranger black did. Now it's just a fashion statement. An overused one.

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Sep 14 at 2020 10:42 AM

2020-09-14T10:42:25-04:00

Fully qualified Special Forces, Rangers, and Air Borne should wear them. Fully qualified only. That being said, the Black Beret for everyone has to rank near the very top on the stupidity chart!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2020 5:52 PM

2020-10-06T17:52:37-04:00

I wore a red beret while in an airborne unit, and it was a source of great pride. My one mob was in Iraq attached to the 82nd. Now I have a black beret. I came into the Army when paratroopers wore red berets, Rangers black, Special Forces green,and Delta—tan? (Not sure)

I wish we would go back to that. I was Civil Affairs and now MI. I have plenty of badges and ribbons and don’t need a beret.

Berets should be reserved for special ops. Just my opinion!

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Oct 11 at 2020 11:55 PM

2020-10-11T23:55:05-04:00

Various NATO Allies military wear a coloured beret of the branch they represent, so take your Branch colour and have a go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_branch_insignia
https://www.ar670.com/2018/12/21/branch-colors/
http://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/USBC.php

However, what Sergeant Major wants their Battalion/Brigade formation to look like the "Rainbow Coalition" flag when viewed from above?

I didn't mind wearing the 'beret' when I was in, and I understood the angst raised by the Rangers when Gen Shinseki instituted the Black Beret for all Army personnel... my issue has always been with the the numb-schulls who have nothing better to do than to expect servicemembers to expend several hundred on a uniform they will hardly ever wear unless they're assigned to the "Swampgass repository" there in Arlington, Virginia at the 'Not-square' building... Or design a piece of uniform for wear and then state it can only be worn in a specific fashion rather than as the designers intended

United_States_Army_branch_insignia

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 10:50 PM

2020-11-16T22:50:02-05:00

Above our pay grades. I always wore what I was supposed to IAW the current regs.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 10:59 PM

2020-11-16T22:59:54-05:00

I don't have a problem with "organizational" head gear, however, it should apply to that org. I wore the "brown round" as a DS , however, it was earned and wouldn't want it worn as a distinctive head gear for any other individual.

Response by PFC Michael Gysin made Dec 2 at 2020 11:00 PM

2020-12-02T23:00:52-05:00

I was surprised when they stole the black beret from the Rangers. I am/was Infantry, so I have my bias, but other than Airborne, Rangers and Special Force, the only other organization that come close to being worthy of the black beret would be the Infantry. I am not going to say anything about the ones that look like members of the Village People...LoL...And dress blues should have never been made standard issue.

Response by SGT Mike Adams made Dec 4 at 2020 1:19 AM

2020-12-04T01:19:06-05:00

In 1976, I was assigned to the 1/9 CAV, 1ST CAV Div. At first I thought we were special, getting to wear the black beret because we were the division scouts. I thought we were special. Did not take me long to replace the beret with the ball cap. I just turned 18 and was gullible. In fact I was so gullible, my recruiter led me to believe the rifle, pistol and hand gernade ranges was like going to the bowling alley, sitting in the pits drinking a soda and waiting my turn. Lol

Response by MAJ Richard Pina made Dec 4 at 2020 3:16 PM

2020-12-04T15:16:18-05:00

The originalGreen Beret was awarded by President Kennedy to all Army Special forces so that is a given. Airborne Personnel on Airborne status weal the International Maroon Beret as do most Armies with Airborne troops so no Problem there. Rangers went Tan after some Chief of Staff decided Black would be the regular issue cap for all troops (not Airborne, SF or Ranger). Were it up to me Black would go back to Active Ranger slotted personnel and all other troops would wear the camouflage patrol cap with the BDU (utility/field Uniform) and the Garrison cap or Service cap with the Class A (dress) Uniform. You are correct there are way to many berets out there but this retired Army Officer does not have any say in the deal. Glad though that in my career I did not have to wear a beret. By the way I was with the elite Nuclear Forces and we did not need a stinking beret.

Response by MSgt Steven Smigelski made Dec 4 at 2020 5:46 PM

2020-12-04T17:46:13-05:00

HIJACK WARNING!!!!!

My son is a Cav Scout and I share his indignation that they are not allowed to wear their stetsons outside their "foot print." Now I bleed Infantry Blue, but those guys work just as hard and deserve the recognition.
Stows soap box.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 7:00 PM

2020-12-04T19:00:39-05:00

I dont care for berets personally. I think they are unAmerican. I wish the Army never adopted them.

Response by CPL Raul Perez Jr made Dec 4 at 2020 7:25 PM

2020-12-04T19:25:18-05:00

In my time only special Divisions wore them ie: 101st Blue, 82nd Red, Green Berets, Rangers Tan, Air Cav, Stetsons. I think everyone wearing one takes away from the soldiers that went to those units by choice. My 2 cents. Air Assault/ Airborne.

Response by SP5 Derick Johnsohne made Dec 5 at 2020 3:18 AM

2020-12-05T03:18:50-05:00

the baseball cap had been a universal sign of the american forces . the adoption of berets seems to me a form of plagiarism, of melding into international groups (nato and whatnot), and i must say, personally, that americans do the fashion no greatness with berets that are too much form-fitting on sometimes (ugly) skulls . this does not apply to red and green berets that have a presence and history of their own . in opposite look at the imposing presence of the ds campaign hat !

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 5 at 2020 4:01 PM

2020-12-05T16:01:57-05:00

I happen to agree with You, I don't care for the beret much anyway but if anyone was going to be allowed to wear them its should be as recognition for elite units that did require special training in order to earn the right to wear that headgear. I did NOT approve of the Army passing out berets to everyone like they did.

Response by PO2 Theodore Smolenski made Dec 10 at 2020 3:52 AM

2020-12-10T03:52:01-05:00

All those pretty colored pin feathers are ok for pimping yourself on base , but all they are , are targets in the field . So , if those bright pretty colors are important to you , go ahead and wear em
Where ever and when ever you want . Just stay about. 1KLIC AWAY FROM ME !!!!

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Dec 10 at 2020 7:37 AM

2020-12-10T07:37:15-05:00

Bad Idea to me a bunch of Folks were just looking to make a name for themselves and spend a lot of time and money doing so. Lock the uniforms down and the regulations and be done with it. Green, Maroon, and Black Berets, Was enough and should have been left alone. The army would be better off spending time and Money to make Soldiers proficient at their Jobs rather then learning new regulations and uniforms every couple of years. Kind of like buying a new car each year so you don't get bored. JMTC

Response by SSG Ronald Limbaugh made Dec 10 at 2020 8:55 AM

2020-12-10T08:55:00-05:00

With the particular unit, it's a uniform item. Those in the units that earn them wear them as a point of pride. Others assigned to the unit wear them (hopefully, also with pride) to signify their assignment to those units. The berets set those units apart... I had mixed feelings back when Shinseki had everyone don the black beret. I think it was a terrible PR stunt that took a bit from the Ranger units. I felt like a heel wearing that damn thing for the first year or so.
If you are assigned to one of those units, wear it with pride. It's an organizational item that sets you apart from other organizations. The members that earned it also have other doodads that set them apart from the ones that were assigned the beret.

Response by COL Carl Jensen made Dec 10 at 2020 7:46 PM

2020-12-10T19:46:44-05:00

I always thought the flat overseas hat should have had a visor. Add a colored branch braid on the edges for recognition. And for God's sack bring back the Ridgeway cap those Monica berets do nothing for me. OK, so I am old school. Ahhh, but they did bring back the WW II look uniform.

Response by LTC Clayton Hill made Dec 26 at 2020 9:58 AM

2020-12-26T09:58:12-05:00

I think it has gotten out of control. But, more troubling to me is the Army's constant change of BDUs and dress uniforms. Most are ugly - "ARMY UGLY." To me it is just the big business making money on government stupidity and a waste of taxes unnecessary to mission. In my 40 year career ending in 2009, I went through 5 different field uniforms and 3 changes in "Class A or C." At least the dress and other formal uniforms were left alone and were distinctive. Now the "Blues" are out-of-place as Class A's.

Response by LTC Clayton Hill made Dec 26 at 2020 5:52 PM

2020-12-26T17:52:50-05:00

Berets have gone overboard - way to many to mean distinguished. More problem some are the many changes in uniforms. Most are ugly, Army U G L Y. I had 5 changes in utility/combat uniforms in the nearly 40 years of service ending in 2009 and at least 4 changes in Class C's and A's. All this has accomplished is making uniform suppliers rich at tax payer's and soldier's expenses. At least they have made minimal changes in Dress and other formal uniforms, but they have really degraded the "Blues in use as Class A uniforms. IMO.

Response by MAJ Steve Daugherty made Dec 27 at 2020 10:27 AM

2020-12-27T10:27:33-05:00

There probably is some merit in trying to help people feel good about what they do and where they are. It is one thing to designate specially skilled and accomplished soldiers, which gives us all inspiration but I wonder if it gets like with the kids in little league where everyone gets a trophy? Are trying to just “look cool” or to center stage folks who went the extra mile put themselves out there in a very special way? Well it does offer a little extra color to a formation

Response by SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt made Dec 27 at 2020 5:50 PM

2020-12-27T17:50:11-05:00

I remember when the covers were made in Viet Nam which I thought was a slap in the face to the guys and gals coming back from there

Response by 1SG Rick Seekman made Dec 27 at 2020 6:33 PM

2020-12-27T18:33:57-05:00

The army toyed with this idea back in 1980, it never materialized because very few were in favor of it.
The berets look good but do not have the functionality of the utility cap.

Response by Sgt Anthony Leverington made Dec 28 at 2020 12:00 AM

2020-12-28T00:00:17-05:00

Growing up, I heard many stories about the Green Beret's and always thought of them as having an elite standing within the Army. Then some genius decided it was a good idea to have everyone wear a beret. After that, the whole "green beret" aura kinda lost its meaning for me.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 7:17 AM

2020-12-28T07:17:30-05:00

Having served in the 1st Cavalry, I suppose I could have worn a Stetson? Since I got out upon DEROS, it didn’t make a lot of sense to buy. Army soft covers in my time, 1967-70, were terrible, unless you were General Westmoreland, who managed to make one look STRAC. The Marine 8 point cover remains the standard, in my opinion. I’d wear one, but not willing to go through the question and answer period. I think the berets are great. Any infusion of espirit de corps is positive. Pinks and Greens have returned. Almost makes me want to re-up. BIg Red One patch on right shoulder, very retro!

Response by CSM Bruce Trego made Dec 28 at 2020 8:37 AM

2020-12-28T08:37:14-05:00

What's wrong with green? That is one thing soldiers are taught from the beginning. Everyone is the same color, green! Why does there have to be a neat color for every, or any, group? I kind of understand the Green Beanies. They needed to be recognized by native people in VN and other hot spots. But they work with these native people directly and need that recognition. But the rest is all vanity. Even the green beret out of the field is vanity.

Response by COL Dave Sims made Dec 28 at 2020 11:13 AM

2020-12-28T11:13:13-05:00

My thought is that it does not matter what is on your head but in your heart - do your job. When you enlist or are commissioned - you also sign up to "unlimited liability'. And so should you be killed in the line of duty no one cares what sort of headcover you were wearing. Everything else is window dressing. Serve proudly and stay safe.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 12:41 PM

2020-12-28T12:41:02-05:00

Beret looks great on certain types and properly conditioned. On others, it looks ridiculous. I have a melon sized head and I don't think I'd wear one well. I agree they should represent something earned (Green Beret, Ranger, Airborne and in USAF, PJs, SPs)... not just issued.

Response by 1SG Brian Emmert made Dec 28 at 2020 6:29 PM

2020-12-28T18:29:35-05:00

In my opinion it seemed that organizational headgear was dictated by whichever good idea fairy was in charge at the time. Certain units were right to be angry that everyone was to be a wearer of what was once a special honor. Some commanders dictated it would be worn at all times, no matter where or what the soldier was doing, unless they had on their pot. Others didn't care how it was worn, while others were fanatical about the droop length, fuzz and whether females hair fit underneath. Most of the enlisted resented that they had to wear them with their utility uniform and thought that they should have been worn only with the A's or B's. Like most everything with the military, you do what you are told unless it violates an order or puts someone in danger. Or you get out.

Response by LCpl Lord Stanciu made Dec 31 at 2020 12:40 AM

2020-12-31T00:40:59-05:00

I have one from the Royal Marines and I would wear one one just like it a green beret also

Response by PO2 Brian Hoadley made Dec 31 at 2020 12:50 PM

2020-12-31T12:50:52-05:00

meh, if you earned it, wear it.

Response by SPC Martin Meyer made Dec 31 at 2020 2:45 PM

2020-12-31T14:45:34-05:00

I think the army's head gear for elite units like paratrooper's red, rangers black, special forces green berets should remain. As far as regular army units if they go back to the old WWII style uniform which I have always loved the tan beret is fine for all the other services.
Being a Paratrooper I took Great Pride in Wearing My Red Beret as I earned the Right to Do So.

Response by CPL Ron Dube made Dec 31 at 2020 3:34 PM

2020-12-31T15:34:14-05:00

Berets should be earned and not issued..

Response by CPO Kenneth Kalish made Dec 31 at 2020 3:39 PM

2020-12-31T15:39:34-05:00

PBR sailors wore black berets in Viet Nam. Army Special Forces wore green. Since then, I've seen everything from powder blue to flame red in other services. We had a cutting ceremony when men who had been in their first firefight had the loop in the back cut into tails. Better to tell the FNG from the rest. We earned ours the hard way.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Dec 31 at 2020 8:35 PM

2020-12-31T20:35:46-05:00

Each Department is authorized to allow the wear of whatever headgear that Department Secretary, and/or the Service Chief (member of the Chiefs of Staff) may deem fit. This is along the "Train and Equip" line of authority.

With that said, qualification for any of these élite units is exacting, demanding, grueling, and to the highest of standards. Any member of the military who qualifies to serve in any of these units rightly deserves special recognition. It is, in a manner of speaking, similar to a decoration. Therefore, if you've earned it, you've earned wearing of it. If you haven't then you haven't.

I wear the Master Space Badge; I have earned it. If you've qualified for any of the Army's special forces (Ranger, Airborne, Special Forces) you get to wear a specially-colored hat, and you have my respect. I also expect ALL OTHER service members to respect this distinctive headgear, as will as ANY OTHER distinctive authorized uniform accessory.

Colored hats, along with all other authorized uniform accessories, are part of our good order and discipline. This is not a horse race. This is defending our nation.

'Nuff said.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 8:48 AM

2021-01-02T08:48:58-05:00

I respect the Army BUT you guys waste more tax payers money than any one. You people wear more bells and whistles than a Christmas tree. You forget the most important thing. You are a soilder in the U.S. ARMY.

Response by PFC Charles Riggins made Jan 2 at 2021 8:52 AM

2021-01-02T08:52:14-05:00

Really? What is happening to our Military? What next bright orange uniforms? It's not a fashion show.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Jan 2 at 2021 10:46 PM

2021-01-02T22:46:51-05:00

Tradition and Pride are important in the Military and has been for a long time. Sadly, we are losing those! Just my humble opinion.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jan 3 at 2021 3:26 AM

2021-01-03T03:26:13-05:00

I was in the Army when we had to transition to the beret in 2001. Didn't think much of it. I did have to pay attention as to how to properly wear one. Some of the soldiers thought wearing one was cool, made them look "lethal". Personally, I didn't give a damn. I will say that I didn't like the fact the Rangers were forced to switch to the Tan beret. They previously wore black.

Response by CSM Jim Corrin made Jan 3 at 2021 1:12 PM

2021-01-03T13:12:55-05:00

Military forces have worn distinctive uniform items for centuries to create a psychological advantage and boost their esprit de corps, but the military use of berets is a relatively recent phenomenon, said Walter Bradford, an Army historian who has studied the issue.

Scottish Highland troops wore a “bonnet” in the 17th and 18th centuries, while the headgear most people now know as the beret was worn in the Basque region of France and Spain in the same period, Bradford said.

But widespread use of the beret among Western armies didn’t begin until the 20th century, when French tank crews in World War I wore both the small Basque version and a larger, floppier variety.

Headgear history

In the 1920s, British tank crews began searching for an alternative to their stiff khaki service-dress cap, which just wasn’t practical for duty inside the relatively new armored vehicles.

“The cap had to be worn backwards to use the gunner’s sights, with the chin strap down to keep it on the head,” Bradford said. “The light wool serge fabric soon became home for grease stains as it was clutched and adjusted by soiled fingers.”

In 1924, the tankers came up with a black wool beret whose size fell in between the two French versions and was bound with black leather featuring an adjustable ribbon that ran around to tie in the back.

When the British tankers added their traditional “Fear Naught” emblem above the left eye, they had a snappy piece of headgear that quickly became famous for its distinctiveness and grew to be the symbol of armored formations around the world, Bradford said.

The military popularity of berets soared during the World War II era when various British units donned the headgear in several colors, including a khaki brown variety adopted by Special Air Services troops and a maroon variety worn by Britain’s first airborne force, the Parachute Regiment, that became affectionately known as the “cherry berry.”

Legend has it that the color was picked by novelist Daphne du Maurier, wife of Maj. Gen. Frederick Browning, one of Britain’s highly decorated World War II heroes, Bradford said.

Berets debut in U.S. military

The first use of the modern beret in the U.S. military was in 1943, when a battalion of the 509th Parachute Infantry was given maroon berets by their British counterparts for their service in the war.

In 1951, the Marine Corps experimented with green and blue berets, but dismissed them because they looked too “foreign” and “feminine,” Bradford said.

The first widespread use of the headgear by U.S. forces came shortly after, when a new Army organization that was specially trained for insurgency and counterguerrilla warfare began wearing a green variety in 1953. It took another eight years for the Army’s Special Forces – the “Green Berets” – to win presidential approval from John F. Kennedy to make their headgear official.

In the 1970s, Army policy allowed local commanders to encourage morale-enhancing uniform distinctions, and the use of berets boomed. Armor personnel at Fort Knox, Ky., wore the traditional British black beret, while U.S. armored cavalry regiments in Germany wore the black beret with a red and white oval.

Troops of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., started wearing the maroon beret in 1973, while at Fort Campbell, Ky., the trend exploded, with post personnel wearing red, military police donning light green, and the 101st Airborne Division taking light blue as their color. In Alaska, the 172nd Infantry Brigade began using an olive green beret.

In 1975, the Airborne Rangers got approval from the Department of the Army to use the black beret as their official headgear.

Over the next few years, the whole thing got out of hand, and in 1979 senior Army officials put on the brakes, Bradford said. The leadership allowed the Rangers to keep their black berets and in 1980, agreed to allow airborne troops to continue wearing the maroon version. But all others varieties were declared off-limits.

Present-day beret

These days, the United States is on the low end of the spectrum among NATO allies in terms of the variety of berets worn by their military forces.

Turkey, Greece and Luxembourg also authorize only three colors for various segments of their forces, but most countries have four or five. Belgium has seven and the United Kingdom tops the list with nine.

On Oct. 17, Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki announced that the black beret would become standard Army headgear next year. Shinseki said he wants to use the sense of pride that the beret has long represented to the Rangers to foster an attitude of excellence among the entire Army as it moves forward with its sweeping transformation effort to a lighter, more deployable, more agile force.

His decision has set off a firestorm in both the active-duty and veteran Ranger community as well as in the Army’s other two special operations camps, the Special Forces and the airborne.

Response by CSM Jim Corrin made Jan 3 at 2021 1:28 PM

2021-01-03T13:28:04-05:00

What about the Cav wearing Stetsons? Some things in our county are derived from history and traditions. Today's society and politicians are determined to erase these things so all can be equal and fair.

Response by CW3 Michael Bodnar made Jan 3 at 2021 2:15 PM

2021-01-03T14:15:14-05:00

Wear it with pride! No issue with wearing them at all. It's a part of the history of the Army and those units.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Jan 3 at 2021 4:05 PM

2021-01-03T16:05:48-05:00

I remember a time in the mid-70's when colorful berets got out of hand, with MI folks wearing blue berets, signal troops wearing orange berets, etc. There was a reaction and command cracked down on unauthorized berets. At that point, Armored Cavalry troopers and Rangers wore the black beret, airborne the maroon beret and special forces the green beret. Then much later the Army adopted the black beret for all, and the Rangers moved to the tan beret, similar to the British SAS beret. Bottom line, wear the uniform you're told to wear in your unit.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jan 3 at 2021 8:59 PM

2021-01-03T20:59:54-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member In the old Navy, it was easy, everybody wore a white hat! At sea it was a ball cap!

Response by SP5 Edwin Golinski Lesperance made Jan 3 at 2021 10:33 PM

2021-01-03T22:33:04-05:00

I approve of Green for Special Forces, traditional black for rangers, and tan for everyone else.

If we do more distinction, Combat Engineers should get red, Airborne should get sky blue, Cav should keep Stetsons. LRRPs should keep the camo boonie hat.

Baseball caps should be reserved for officers.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jan 3 at 2021 10:35 PM

2021-01-03T22:35:43-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I am ‘old school’! Green Berets are earned as well as the Maroon Berets earned by Airborne! Calvary wire Stetsons! There was a sense of pride and special training. Having all Soldiers wear black berets was a bad idea imho...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 1:05 AM

2021-01-04T01:05:09-05:00

My unit transitions to airborne from being a leg unit. I was able to where the airborne Beret. I was a team leader and later the Battalion S4. Before being the S4, I broke my ankle in Afghanistan so I eventually had to leave the unit a couple years later to go to a non airborne civil affairs unit. I am proud of the Maroon Beret. I was a 300 APFT person so I know I would have been OK in airborne school. I have no regrets.

Response by Cpl Doug Lockyer made Jan 4 at 2021 12:58 PM

2021-01-04T12:58:08-05:00

If it ain't got feathers why bother with anything but camo?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 1:16 PM

2021-01-04T13:16:39-05:00

I would agree in principal one shouldn't wear acourtrement that they themselves did not earn, but from a "Drill and Ceremony" standpoint, it would look really weird to have a mixture of tan and black berets in the same formation. That is probably where the tradition came from lol...I suppose the silver lining is that when you leave the unit, you don't keep the decorum.

Bigger issue: The army spent too much money and political capital with its uniform disaster that was the Universal Camouflage Pattern. While I love the pinks and greens, this is another example of money being spent and there isn't an end in sight in terms of changes. We really need to settle down on the existential uniform changes, so that our focus can be on better training and warfighting skills.

Response by CPO Jeffrey Bohemier made Jan 4 at 2021 4:20 PM

2021-01-04T16:20:53-05:00

I think the Army’s beret looks fantastic. It’s probably the best looking of all the different headgear items throughout the different military branches. However, enough with all the various different colors. They’re NOT crayons. If you want organizational hats, I suggest that the Army follows the Navy’s lead with their ships’ ball caps. Authorize and make ball caps for Army personnel with unit organizational patches on the front, or wearing while you’re attached to that unit. Navy ships’ ball caps are worn in lieu of the Sailors’ standard white dixie cap. But they don’t replace it. Likewise, your berets should be seen as an official uniform headwear and NOT organizational headwear. Organizational headwear is not worn in ny uniform other than the authorized working uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2021 9:18 AM

2021-01-05T09:18:13-05:00

I have had the opportunity to work with and alongside a number of other militaries, and I can say that I really appreciate the British Army where nearly every unit has a different headgear always linked to the unit's history. As an example, one unit is authorized distinctive headgear with the unit crest displayed front and back due to an action where they were completely surrounded, stood literally back-to-back, and held the position against overwhelming odds. It's a great way to build unit esprit.

Response by SGT Kenneth Martin made Jan 5 at 2021 5:16 PM

2021-01-05T17:16:09-05:00

I agree I served with the 101st Airborne Air Assault , as an Air Assault graduate i found that back in the day they were authorized to wear a beret I think that the color was baby blue but not sure. IMHO I think that the Army should return the Special Ops. to the original wear of the head gear. IE Ranger=Black, Airborne= Maroon, and Special Forces= Green. I do not believe that every swinging Richard in the Army should have the privilege of wearing the Black Beret! The Black Beret denotes the courage and Balls that an individual had to go through the rigorous training that one goes through to have the Honor to be called a Ranger!

Response by SPC Paul Sherwood made Jan 7 at 2021 9:45 AM

2021-01-07T09:45:03-05:00

I served between 1975 and 1983, Airborne troops have their wings, Rangers have their tabs Special forces have the Green Beret. All headgear should be standardized except for the Green Beret. Just my opinion and we all know about opinions!

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Jan 9 at 2021 2:55 AM

2021-01-09T02:55:39-05:00

It is true. I have seen personnel in the Air Cav wearing Stetsons, Special Forces & Rangers with their distinctive headgear, and Red Hats for Parachute Riggers. However, seeing Air Assault wearing the same color beret as Paratroopers. They should get their own distinctive color, like Checkerboard or Plaid.

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Jan 10 at 2021 1:09 PM

2021-01-10T13:09:08-05:00

I'm having a brain fart and can't remember when the beret was first introduced... My thoughts are that it was the early sixties .. I moved around so much that I can't recall things in chronological
order anymore. I do remember that the guys who wore the berets were Gods at that time.
Not so much anymore. Who can keep track anymore?

Response by MSG Richard C Finley made Jan 25 at 2021 4:14 AM

2021-01-25T04:14:34-05:00

back when i was in my first Cav unit i thought the beret was cool. but when they switched to it for everyone i think it's crap. the switching of uniforms over the years is crazy as hell too. back in my early days Blues were formal wear and Class A Greens could be substituted for the Blues. and now the old type that they wore during WWII WTH waste money they could spend on something else.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 25 at 2021 12:14 PM

2021-01-25T12:14:29-05:00

IMHO opinion, I think certain units that have distinguished themselves should be allowed certain headgear, and not just the Beret. Cav Stetsons, Campaign hats, hell let the Iron side brigade wear the same hats their ancestors did. Why, Esprit, based upon the heritage of a unit. I would also ban the DoD from writing out/disbanding units of antiquity. A few years back several Guard units from New England were disbanded and reformed into some other thing. These were units that went back to the 1630's.
If the army even suggests to get rid of Jump boots and Tankers boots, break out the crying towels. "That's our tradition!" What happened? The Army relented. In our quest to make the tackiest uniforms on the planet, IMHO we work overtime on really tacky crap, do we need everyone and their brother to wear berets? No. Can we have some sanity in what is worn on the uniform? I mean some days it looks like we strive to be adult Eagle Scouts, all we need is some Worf's Klingon merit badge sash in the correct cammo pattern and a new merit badge race will begin.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Jan 26 at 2021 1:56 AM

2021-01-26T01:56:59-05:00

So, you are saying an admin or support person is assigned to an unit which has organization headgear. Should they wear it? DEPENDS ON THE UNIT COMMANDER. If the CO required it as a regular uniform, you have no choice. Agreed, you did not earn it.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 27 at 2021 8:33 PM

2021-01-27T20:33:04-05:00

I was glad to see the black beret go. It was more trouble than it was worth. If I wanted to be French, I'd go surrender somewhere.

Response by SSG James Stodola made Feb 13 at 2021 11:08 AM

2021-02-13T11:08:02-05:00

I served for 34 years, Air Force first then Army. Initially I didn't think much about it until they got crazy about uniform changes, (Think women vs. men on vacations. Women wear five different things the first two days, after a week we, men are driving home in the same thing we arrived in). Way too many changes with no real valid reasons for said changes. I think we fell under the whims of the top leaderships wardrobe fantasies. I do know that when General Shinseki made the beret change, we were none to happy about that. One for reasons that it was a slap in the face to the Ranger Regiment, and secondly none of us really cared for the berets. I have many friends that are Marine and Navy vets and they too echo my sentiments on this.

Response by SSG Michael Love made Feb 16 at 2021 8:59 PM

2021-02-16T20:59:17-05:00

President John F. Kennerdy gave the green beret to the Special Forces, they were wearing it them anyway. It like if one guy wears sun shades , everyone wants to wear them. That just the way it is. I wanted to wear Corcorn boots, but didn't get an Airborne Tattoo until after I got my wings.

Response by SGM Tr Williams made Feb 22 at 2021 7:12 PM

2021-02-22T19:12:44-05:00

I personally think that the Army needs to eliminate the berets for the non-specialty forces. Airborne should have red, green berets obviously green, and rangers (black). The beret is one of the most useless headgear that I ever wore. The patrol cap is much better. DUMP THE BLACK BERET for regular forces.

Response by CW3 Dan Mackey made Mar 7 at 2021 12:41 AM

2021-03-07T00:41:08-05:00

Those unit that were awarded the beret after WW2 by the French are the only ones I think should be allowed to wear the Berets. It's like a unit citation for those units.

Response by CMSgt Donald ONeill made Mar 18 at 2021 7:46 PM

2021-03-18T19:46:45-04:00

As a former member of the Special Forces and one who wore the green Beret which was given permissions to wear by JFK was a honor . Now we have different units wearing different color berets that has taken the shine off the "Green Beret" and what it met to be able to wear one .