Army Beret Dropped

bunkerb

New Member
How do you guys feel about the army dropping berets and going with patrol caps? Don't understand why they were even implemented in the first place...
 

T.C.P

Well-Known Member
Berets are unsuitable for humid climates, wearing a beret in humid conditions is one of the fastest ways of going bald early.

The berets could be retained for ceremonies only.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Berets are unsuitable for humid climates, wearing a beret in humid conditions is one of the fastest ways of going bald early.

The berets could be retained for ceremonies only.
except the berets have been removed from ceremonies as well (which is the core issue - not whether they're worn when tactical as specials (for eg) only wear them for dress or non tactical events). The exemption applies to units suchs as those in SOCOMD.

hence the ruckus as the argument about OH&S etc is pretty lame
 

Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
except the berets have been removed from ceremonies as well (which is the core issue - not whether they're worn when tactical as specials (for eg) only wear them for dress or non tactical events). The exemption applies to units suchs as those in SOCOMD.

hence the ruckus as the argument about OH&S etc is pretty lame
I think Bunker B is referring to today's announcement by the US Army to abandon the general issue beret. A very different circumstance to the Australian Army nonsense.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I think Bunker B is referring to today's announcement by the US Army to abandon the general issue beret. A very different circumstance to the Australian Army nonsense.
The americans have been openly keen to embrace the philosophies and intent behind SRP, I just hope their beret decision wasn't coat tailing on one of our "good ideas"
 

bunkerb

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
Berets are unsuitable for humid climates, wearing a beret in humid conditions is one of the fastest ways of going bald early.

The berets could be retained for ceremonies only.
Yeah they are/were an absolute nightmare in the heat, after a day of sweating in them trying to salvage the berets and keeping them shaped is impossible... I heard its still at the discretion of commanders to keep them implemented in individual platoons...
 

Gremlin29

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
How do I feel as a soldier that has to wear that piece of crap? Elated! It's an impractical piece of headgear that doesn't do what a hat was intended to do, keep your head cool and the sun out of your eyes. It will still be worn with the dress uniform which is okay for most of us since we rarely wear dress uniforms.

Another change that brought cheers is that we are now authorized to sew our name tapes on (we can also continue to use the velcro which I prefer) and special skill badges can be sewn to the uniform ie combat infantry badge, jump wings, aviator wings and so forth.
 

PO2GRV

Member
so what cover has been subsituted for general wear? Garrison caps I'm guessing?

Now if only the Navy would change their abyssmal NWU from that horrible GI Joe blue color to something of practical use we could all be happy. But that's for another thread :D
 

Waylander

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Maybe the US Army finally realized that the way in which berets are worn in it is in no way acceptable...;)

Having this big batch up front like an advertisement poster is ugly as hell and they should have had a look at the Brits and French to learn how to wear a beret before they introduced them.
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
Having this big batch up front like an advertisement poster is ugly as hell and they should have had a look at the Brits and French to learn how to wear a beret before they introduced them.
Quite a few South and Latin American countries like Salvador and Colombia have followed the American practice of having a large patch on their berets.
 

Waylander

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
That dooesn't say much.
Quite a number of countries just use stuff because the US does and so it has to be good.

Remember when the US went to digital camo...
 

STURM

Well-Known Member
That dooesn't say much.
Quite a number of countries just use stuff because the US does and so it has to be good.
I know it doesn't say much. I was not suggesting that just because its a U.S. practice that it should be emulated, merely that other countries have followed suit. Similiarly, non-NATO countries with British ties have adopted British traditions such as the regimental system, organisational patterns, etc.

Getting off topic here but unless I'm mistaken the the U.S. ACU was the first with slanted chest pockets. What purpose does this serve?
 

PO2GRV

Member
Getting off topic here but unless I'm mistaken the the U.S. ACU was the first with slanted chest pockets. What purpose does this serve?
I remember being a kid in 2001 seeing a Marine in MARPAT which was at the time was being wear tested (NS Mayport, FL) and it had the slanted chest pockets

from what I remember reading in the Navy Times then, the idea was that the pockets would be easier to reach into with the opposite hand especially when wearing gear like a seabag though I'm not certain if that was part of the offical design philosophy
 

SteelTiger 177

New Member
I've got to wonder whats going on here with reguard to uniforms and headgear.First berets are not something you wear in the field (thats what patrolcaps and boonie hats are for).Second if the Army dropping the beret will this mean we're going back to the garrison cap?
 

jbutler

New Member
I think it's about time. A new, modern look is a good idea every once in a while and those berets were pretty brutal in hot weather.
 

Gremlin29

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I've got to wonder whats going on here with reguard to uniforms and headgear.First berets are not something you wear in the field (thats what patrolcaps and boonie hats are for).Second if the Army dropping the beret will this mean we're going back to the garrison cap?
The beret was dropped for wear with ACU's while in garrison back in 2011. The patrol is now worn at all times. The beret is still used in ACU's for ceremonies like change of command at the discretion of the command. The beret is still worn with the Army Service Uniform (looks like dress blues). Happily, the garrison cap was dropped for good, a hat dumber than the beret IMHO.
 

Rimasta

Member
The black beret used to be for the 75th Ranger regiment. The story I heard was that the idea was, "hey the Rangers are tough motivated troops, lets give everyone black berets." It sounds just crazy enough to be true. I thought the BDU's with the patrol cap looked a lot better, and maintaining BDU's is harder too so I feel it instills discipline.
 
Top