How is it you can wear a tan or green beret when you are in not a Ranger or SF unit?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 May 2017 16:42:39 -0400

So I have seen several instances where a soldier was assigned to another unit, outside of 75th or Group, and wore a Tan or Green beret. They were Special Operations units but how does this work. If you were to go to JSOC and are Ranger qualified do you get to wear a tan beret or do you have to come from 75th RGR RGT?

I have also heard once you get a Green Beret you always where it. But what if you go back to the regular army? I have seen soldiers in the 82nd with SF tabs that don't wear green berets? Or do you always keep it and wear it in whatever unit you go to?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 26 at 2017 5:21 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 26 May 2017 17:21:56 -0400

The Tan and Maroon Beret is a head gear worn based on unit assignment, not MOS or school attended / qualified in.
"Ranger tan beret. Soldiers currently assigned to the following units are authorized wear of the Ranger tan beret."
"Maroon beret. All personnel assigned to airborne units whose primary missions are airborne operations wear the maroon beret."

The Green Beret if approved by local commanders may be worn by all Sf qualified personnel
"(a) If approved by local commanders, all Special Forces-qualified personnel (those carrying the Special Forces MOSs of 18A or 180A, CMF 18, and CSMs reclassified from 18Z to OOZ) are authorized to wear the green beret. This includes senior and junior ROTC instructors and those attending training at an Army service school in a student status (for example, CGSC, DLI, or USASMA). "

Response by SSG Robert Webster made May 26 at 2017 5:22 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 26 May 2017 17:22:38 -0400

An SF tabbed individual assigned to the 82nd would not be wearing a Green Beret, note that I said assigned. The only place outside an 18 series coded slot that I know of is either ROTC or Recruiting duty. As far as the Tan Beret goes, the rules are similar but the only places that I know of for Rangers to wear theirs is within a Ranger unit (Rgt or Tng) or an SF unit.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 26 at 2017 5:52 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 26 May 2017 17:52:45 -0400

Because you are French or not in the military at all...hopefully they wear it like a pizza...not that too many of our soldiers wear it that way but that is the subject of another discussion.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 26 at 2017 8:20 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 26 May 2017 20:20:13 -0400

Am I the only one who noticed the Air Force guy in the background on the left?
Interesting collection of folks in the picture.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 26 at 2017 9:46 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 26 May 2017 21:46:37 -0400

Variety is the spice of life.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 29 at 2017 12:45 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 29 May 2017 00:45:13 -0400

The AR and DA Pam explain it, as SSG Kaegan Williams laid out... Tan and Maroon Berets are based on your unit of assignment, not your qualifications... It that was the case, I could wear a maroon beret or tan beret... The Green Beret is based on your MOS and qualifications, and you keep it for life...

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Jun 13 at 2019 4:46 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:46:38 -0400

The Tan beret you saw must have been a "Liason NCO" for the 75th RGR RGT. They are outside of the regiment and wear the Tan beret. Also those assigned to The Rager Training Brigade (RTB) wear the Tan beret.

Officers and NCOs who are Special Forces Qualified get to wear the Green beret regardless of wear they are as long they hold the 18 MOS as a primary. You will some of these examples assigned to units like AFRICOM, EUCOM, & CENTCOM; they generally working as advisors or liasons for other SF units and the COCOM where they are assigned at the time.