Do you think the Rangers will get back their black berets with the new changes in our new government?

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 08:54:52 -0500

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 2 at 2016 9:01 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:01:49 -0500

I hope the focus is on anything but the friggin' beret colors! Personally I'd like to see focus on IED defeat since we are still loosing troops to them.

Response by CPL Michael Kucik made Dec 2 at 2016 9:02 AM

CPL Michael Kucik — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:02:37 -0500

The black beret isn't ours anymore and in my opinion is no longer what we want after it has been handed around. We have the tan beret, it is ours and we will keep it.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Dec 2 at 2016 9:33 AM

MGySgt James Forward — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:33:03 -0500

Not that I have a dog in this fight, but to me it's a silly cover that serves absolutely no military function. Not poking you Army guys but it is what it is...Semper Fi.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 2 at 2016 9:37 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:37:15 -0500

I can't imagine they'd even want it back now, SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM. I think that everyone now identifies the tan beret with Rangers.

Response by SSG Tom Pike made Dec 2 at 2016 9:53 AM

SSG Tom Pike — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:53:19 -0500

Way back in my day a Beret meant something special. Green was SF, Maroon was Paratroop, and Black was Ranger.

Now everybody gets a trophy and a silly hat to wear. Rangers have their Tan, it is distinctive and separates them from the regular soldiers. I see no reason to go back to them wearing the black beret. It is like the black beret has now been soiled.

And I think there are much more important things to worry about then the color of hats.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Dec 2 at 2016 10:12 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:12:37 -0500

They should.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 2 at 2016 10:48 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:48:58 -0500

Aint gonna happen, nope...can't get right!

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 2 at 2016 10:56 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:56:07 -0500

I think a cheaper solution would be to add a plastic propeller on the top of the black beret that spins when the wind hits it (lol). Just kidding but I think we have had enough taxpayer funded uniform changes the last 15 years or so. What are we on the third or forth Army camo uniform now? Third attempt at Army boots for Asia? I watched the uniform changes as folks went through DFW Airport and could not believe some of them (like the Navy and their Blue Camo...WTH?).

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 2 at 2016 10:59 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:59:24 -0500

No. The stupid decision by the Army to give everyone berets (especially black berets), to make them all feel special will forever taint the black beret for the Rangers.

Hopefully, the Army will focus on more important things now that we will have a strong CnC and SecDef.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2016 11:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 11:04:34 -0500

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM What changes on government are those that have anything to do with our berets? And I really hope that nobody in power spends their time worrying about beret colors when there are many more important things.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 2 at 2016 11:14 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 11:14:51 -0500

I did not support berets for everyone back then, and still don't. Having said that, if the Army does away with the black beret for non-Ranger, SF and Airborne, they should keep the ones they currently wear (tan, maroon and green).

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Dec 2 at 2016 11:36 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 11:36:09 -0500

They don't want it back. Its been tarnished.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Dec 2 at 2016 6:10 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 18:10:11 -0500

They never should have made the Army a berets wearing outfit. To me the beret was a symbol of a soldier who made it through hard training and earned it. Not many cab say they made it through but there are those who have and they should have that right to wear the beret not everyone.

Response by COL Ardis Ferguson made Dec 2 at 2016 6:59 PM

COL Ardis Ferguson — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 18:59:16 -0500

I would hope that our leaders are focused on those peer and near peer competitors that are waiting to push their agenda during our passage of lines as our government goes through its transition. Not sure the beret is an issue, its about the readiness and ability of the Soldiers

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2016 7:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:33:28 -0500

The black beret was originally headgear for tankers. It was black to hide grease spots, and it didn't interfere with the using a headset or looking through telescopic sights. Rangers were not authorized to wear black berets until 1975, and by that time they were already authorized for Tankers.

So if it's going to revert back to someone... it should revert back to Armor.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Dec 3 at 2016 4:14 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 04:14:12 -0500

As a Marine I have always cringed at the sight of a beret, green or otherwise. No matter how professional or honored the wearer or branch may be, it always looked like a totally unmilitary piece of gear - like something a Frenchman would wear while strolling up and down the river in Paris. Sagging over one ear I always wanted to say 'square away that cover soldier' or worse, but discretion always prevailed and I kept my mouth shut.

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Dec 3 at 2016 1:33 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 13:33:46 -0500

I think it's hard to change a symbol that has been blooded so i was not in favor of the black to brown but now the brown beret has been blooded. I guess that it should be left to the rangers. I was happy to see that the military leadership changed the 5th group flash back to the original as it should never have been changed and the excuse for doing so was always just plain lame.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2016 3:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 15:30:41 -0500

I would have preferred that we stick with the side cap I think it was called. Easier to carry around and take care of than a wool beret.

Response by CSM Clifford Fargason made Dec 4 at 2016 2:33 PM

CSM Clifford Fargason — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 14:33:45 -0500

1. I doubt that the President-elect will be personally weighing in on a uniform decision.

2. A few months ago I ran across an old copy of the Stars and Stripes from Germany in the early 70s containing pictures of soldiers from 11th ACR wearing their black berets. To get a better perspective on what the Army leadership was thinking about when the beret decision came down, SMA Tilley, an Armor NCO, wrote a piece that is found here: http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/uniforms/history-of-the-black-bere.shtml. Should be interesting reading from anyone who wants to know the whys and wherefores.

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Response by PVT Mark Brown made Dec 4 at 2016 8:06 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 20:06:25 -0500

What difference does it makes just as long as it is a color different than the rest of the military. That keeps it distinctive which is the point in the first place.

Response by MAJ Thomas Person made Dec 6 at 2016 1:29 PM

MAJ Thomas Person — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 13:29:58 -0500

Doubt it. I do not think they have the time or even the effort to apply; as many are on their 10th to 20th friggen tour. I am sure some have more than 20. I know the TIER I's do. Them being TIER II...I don't know. I think only they can answer if they want that fight; it would affect the entire force. MFP 2 and MFP 11 peculiar funding probably does not have it on the list. My last beret was in 1991 and I am tired thinking about it. :-)

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Dec 8 at 2016 10:57 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:57:57 -0500

Way back in the dim dark past(I was on Smoke Bomb Hill at the time), a number of us who were Rangers and also had combat experience with Infantry, SF and/or LRRP units were approached to serve as cadre for the newly authorized Ranger Battalions. During he process we were told that we wouldn't have to give up our berets, they would only change color from green to black. At the time the only berets authorized by regulation were green for Sf and black for the WAC. Although the color of the beret was not a deciding factor for ol' wabash, I did decline the invitation(I was in the Arabic language course prepping for a mission at the time and that project was more interesting). The black beret was shared through the early eighties at least. I, for one, was glad to see the Ranger Regiment get their own unique headgear; the tan beret.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2017 1:13 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:13:14 -0400

I agree with the following:
1.) There are bigger fish (threats) to fry (defeat)
2.) The beret swap is a done deal
3.) Who wants something/someone back that/who has been used by everyone?
4.) Tradition is one thing, but the beret really sucks

I am in the 82nd right now, so we have to wear the maroon beret all the time. I hate wearing any beret, as the patrol cap is a lot easier to put on, is more comfortable to wear, and is functional (keeps the sun out of your eyes better than a beret)

Response by SSG Ricky Johnson made Jul 6 at 2017 2:58 PM

SSG Ricky Johnson — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 14:58:51 -0400

Will EOD get to go back to wearing Red baseball caps?

Response by PO2 Albert Robbins made Sep 17 at 2017 11:22 PM

PO2 Albert Robbins — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 23:22:08 -0400

God, i do hope so!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2017 12:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 12:56:01 -0400

The black beret should not go back to the Rangers. The legacy of the black beret has forever been tainted by forcing the entire Army to wear it. It was ridiculous to take it away from the Rangers, who earned the right to wear it, and give it to us that never did, all while making the Rangers change to tan. Keep them in the tan beret and retire the black forever

Response by PFC Ted Esker made Sep 20 at 2017 6:25 PM

PFC Ted Esker — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:25:02 -0400

Uniform selection is relegated to some lite colonel's wife. Politics has nothing to do with it.

Response by SPC Ken Gulledge made Sep 24 at 2017 5:05 PM

SPC Ken Gulledge — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 17:05:57 -0400

Members of the 11th Cavalry were awarded the black beret in 74 I believe, because we were standing guard on freedoms frontier in W Germany border and were excellent at our job ! We guarded the Fulda Gap and kept the Soviets at bay and kept the most valuable area on earth free from nuclear destruction because of our show of strength!

Response by SSG Colleen Heck made Oct 3 at 2017 11:41 AM

SSG Colleen Heck — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:41:21 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT Danny Yerxa made Oct 7 at 2017 2:19 PM

SGT Danny Yerxa — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:19:41 -0400

yes

Response by CPL Robert Christoffersen made Oct 8 at 2017 8:15 PM

CPL Robert Christoffersen — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 20:15:07 -0400

I really hope so , they started the Black Beret ,
just like Pres. Kennedy signed that the U. S. Army Green Beret can only wear it's Green Beret .
and the Maroon Beret ( red ) is for the 88th Air Born ( 82nd or 88th )
only SPL. Units can wear the Beret.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Jan 18 at 2018 5:54 PM

SSG Walter Corretjer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 17:54:28 -0500

No,I don't think so.The buf beret were the originals during World War 2.
The black beret's for the Rangers,were install by mistake,imitating the british and french commandos.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Jan 18 at 2018 6:03 PM

SSG Walter Corretjer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:03:28 -0500

I whant to go back,to the service and garrison caps.Why? Because they are part of the Army tradition,since World War 1.