Posted on Feb 14, 2014
The Navy's 8-point patrol cap-- does it look better than the Army's?
39.9K
33
31
3
3
0
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 16
4
4
0
Some historic perspective; at least one Army unit wore a similar pointed cap during WWII. It was most famously worn by the 11th Airborne Division which was in the Pacific Theater. In this configuration, it was referred to as a "Swing Cap" after Division Commander MG Joe Swing.
(4)
(0)
SSG (ret) William Martin
That looks like an expensive time piece if it was orginal and not a replica.
(0)
(0)
1SG(P) (Join to see)
As a practical matter from a soldier who doesn't tan but burns, I'd rather see us universally adopt the "sun hat". It's a more functional hat for fatigues than either billed cap.
(0)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
i'd perfer that too, flatten the brim out. prior to 9/11 our infantry brigade was issued those and wore them all the time.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
One of my issues with the Army Patrol Cap is it's form and appearance. Unlike a ball cap style, it does not fit naturally to the head. Unlike the 8-point style, it does not have enough of its own form to maintain shape. By regulation, it can not be formed (i.e. Ranger rolls, etc). Because of its weak form, it's appearance is never uniform. Like UCP, it seems to be a compromise cap not good at either fit or form.
What are your thoughts on a ball cap style for the combat uniform? It would be more uniform in appearance, but admittedly less formal. (last time I checked, combat wasn't a formal event). For occasions where professionalism dictates a more formal appearance (ceremonies, in public, etc) the beret is already an option, even in the combat uniform.
What are your thoughts on a ball cap style for the combat uniform? It would be more uniform in appearance, but admittedly less formal. (last time I checked, combat wasn't a formal event). For occasions where professionalism dictates a more formal appearance (ceremonies, in public, etc) the beret is already an option, even in the combat uniform.
(3)
(0)
SPC David Shaffer
Sir, I totally agree. Bringing a better fit to the uniform and cap would be something all soldiers would appreciate.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
Agreed the beret has the potential to be a more formal headgear for garrison, but that's if soldiers actually take pride in the it, shave it and shape it. Sadly far too often when it was standard garrison wear, I saw far too many muffin tops.
I personally think the boonie hat is the most practical patrol/field head gear. Keeps the sun off the neck and ears. Great for those in the sun all day.
I personally think the boonie hat is the most practical patrol/field head gear. Keeps the sun off the neck and ears. Great for those in the sun all day.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Also known as the utility cover, SFC Baber, and I think it DEFINITELY looks better.
Marine version and Army PC, to go along with 2LT Deitemeyer's Navy 8-pointer for comparison.
Marine version and Army PC, to go along with 2LT Deitemeyer's Navy 8-pointer for comparison.
(2)
(0)
LTC Yinon Weiss
Interesting you chose a picture of two Marines firing a rocket, and two Army people typing on a laptop . Subconscious selection?
(7)
(0)
SSG Andrew Dydasco
Sir, you have a point, but it was actually just the best close-up examples I found that still illustrated both designs from front/side view, while on an actual Soldier/Marine, rather than a photo of just the cover itself.
(1)
(0)
LTC Paul Labrador
Army cap has history too. It's lines are based on the Kepi worn by soldiers during the Civil War.
(0)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
its a mac too so it probably is his personal, altho the public affairs use them doing multimedia
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
The Marine Corps style cover looks good, on Marines. It is not a no maintenance piece of headgear though. It needs to be blocked and starched to keep it's unique shape, and it can't be stored in a pocket like the Army PC can if you want to keep it looking presentable.
The Army and Marines wore almost identical fatigue caps during WWII. The Army's version was the Cap, Herringbone Twill. The Marines wore the P44 HBT fatigue cap. After WWII the Marines refined the design and continue to use it. The Army went with the M1951 field cap. Except for that craptastic OG 106 hot weather cap, aka the Vietnam baseball cap, we've worn the M1951 style cap to this day.
I was an MP and we took particular pride in how we wore out PC's. It is easier to look like a bag of rags with the Army PC, but that's where the COC comes in. If your Soldiers have no pride in their appearance, they are going to look like a bag o'crap no matter what uniform you put them in.
The Army and Marines wore almost identical fatigue caps during WWII. The Army's version was the Cap, Herringbone Twill. The Marines wore the P44 HBT fatigue cap. After WWII the Marines refined the design and continue to use it. The Army went with the M1951 field cap. Except for that craptastic OG 106 hot weather cap, aka the Vietnam baseball cap, we've worn the M1951 style cap to this day.
I was an MP and we took particular pride in how we wore out PC's. It is easier to look like a bag of rags with the Army PC, but that's where the COC comes in. If your Soldiers have no pride in their appearance, they are going to look like a bag o'crap no matter what uniform you put them in.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The Navy cap and Marine Corps cap both have more form and structure than the Army cap. The Army cap looks cheap in comparison.
(1)
(0)
SPC David Shaffer
1LT Nick Kidwell So funny Sir, but I agree with MAJ Laurie H. that the current Army PC looks like a baseball hat. I hated wearing the Army PC (patrol cap).
(0)
(0)
1LT Nick Kidwell
Not saying the Army PC is any good...I just would rather wear it than look like a I'm a chef wearing a camouflage toque.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This is a trick question: the correct answer is "BERET".
Airborne! All the way!
Airborne! All the way!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SGT Miller, That 8 point cap along with fatigues of Herringbone Twill (aka HBT) material w/ a 'gas flap' and metal buttons were issued to me @ Ft Ord in 1953. We young soldiers would put a piece of cardboard inside to give the cap some form. That is what we had,the cardboard helped!
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google