What do the different color berets in the Army signify?

2014-06-24T23:51:56-04:00

So this is more of a question for my army brothers than it is a discussion. I am curious to know what the colors mean.

Thanks Wags

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-06-25T00:07:00-04:00

Before the changeover in 2001, the green beret signified Special Forces, the maroon signified Airborne, and the black signified Ranger. The black beret was "taken" from the Rangers and given to the whole Army as the new headgear. The Ranger black beret was changed with a tan beret.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 12:13 AM

2014-06-25T00:13:32-04:00

CPL Wagner: To Caveat what SSG Redondo has stated below, there is a red ball cap that only parachute riggers wear, and that is the only headgear they wear most of the time - at least in their unit and anytime they are performing duties as a rigger. I don't think that technically they are authorized to wear them outside of their unit AO or when they are not performing duties (such as when they are out and about at the exchange or something), but I see them doing this all the time at Fort Bragg so I may be wrong on that.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 25 at 2014 12:47 AM

2014-06-25T00:47:46-04:00

Black: Let's see if we can simultaniously piss off the Rangers AND everybody who isn't a Ranger.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jun 25 at 2014 7:22 AM

2014-06-25T07:22:54-04:00

Cpl Fermil, here is a good link to find out the history of the military use of the beret.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/berethistory.htm

I particularly like this line: In 1951, the Marine Corps experimented with green and blue berets, but dismissed them because they looked too “foreign” and “feminine.”

In general, the only use the beret has these days is to distinguish "special" units and provide esprit de corps. Practically, the beret is horrible. It holds in the summer heat, provides no shade from the sun, stinks when wet, and once it gets dirty it is ruined. The patrol cap is much more practical as a daily duty uniform headgear. The beret does, however, look really good with dress uniform and jump boots. I happened to be in Korea when the black beret was mandated for wear by the Army. It was horrible. There is an elaborate ritual to prepare a beret for wear that includes shaving and shaping the beret. There is also a particular way that the beret should be worn. I was one of the only airborne troops in my unit in Korea, so it fell to me and one or two others to educate the entire unit on how to prepare and wear the black beret. Oh, the horror! Those guuys had no clue how silly they actually looked.

U.S. Military Beret History

Military forces have worn distinctive uniform items for centuries to create a psychological advantage and boost their esprit de corps, but the United States Military use of berets is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Jun 25 at 2014 10:36 AM

2014-06-25T10:36:38-04:00

All - Thank you for your willingness to explain the beret to an outsider. From the time I saw the movie "The Green Beret" I always had great respect for those men and their uniform. However IMHO they are the only ones I ever thought looked good in a beret. Any other time I see one I tend to think it and what it takes to earn one has been... well borrowed. Again in my opinion if you have a Ranger badge that already says you are a bad ass, if you have jump wings it already says there is something very seriously wrong with because you will jump out of a perfectly good aircraft. lol - Yeah you guys don't need a hat that is also worn by girl scouts and snooty French artists. You all have my respect.

What bothers me now after learning all of this is I now know that Bergdhal is Airborne. He is obviously the odd man out when it comes to that very honorable group of men.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jun 26 at 2014 3:19 PM

2014-06-26T15:19:20-04:00

Thanks for the info, guys. The berets have been a mystery to submariners who didn't know someone in the Army.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 29 at 2014 6:07 AM

2014-06-29T06:07:51-04:00

That someone at or above the O-7 pay grade has nothing better to do, or, is looking for their next star.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Mar 27 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-03-27T14:15:00-04:00

Black - Low Speed High Drag
Maroon - High Speed Low Drag
Tan - Bad A$$ Michael Foxtrot
Green - Insanely Bad A$$ Michael Foxtrot, facial hair optional

Just to put this in perspective, this comment is just simple Army humor about beret colors and what units wear them. No disrespect to anyone's achievements or merits is intended based on what beret they wear/wore.

I'm was a commo guy and our chief of police flew Cobras. He calls me, "cable boy" and I call him, "rotor head."

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Mar 27 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-03-27T15:40:38-04:00

Green (Special Forces)
Red (Airborne)
Tan (Ranger)
Black (Feel good beret)

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 27 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-03-27T16:17:26-04:00

Black berets signify theft,,,,,er they signify completion of training and being a Soldier.
Maroon berets are for those who need a reserve to the reserve chute. (Airborne)
Tan berets were property attained after the theft of the black berets for the Rangers.
Green berets are sung about in song often enough that you should know they are for Special Forces.
Raspberry beret is to signify the prince.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdUbQTsE-cM

Raspberry Beret (Originally Performed by Prince & The Revolution) (Karaoke Version)

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises Raspberry Beret (Originally Performed by Prince & The Revolution) (Karaoke Version) · Mega Tracks Karaoke Band...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-03-27T16:25:02-04:00

The special forces Green Beret color is homage to their connection to the British Commandos during WW11 who wore that color. Do knot know what the green specifically means though.

Ranger Regiment Tan Berets: Black used to be the color they wore until the (poor) decision was made to make black the army wide color. Tan was used to replace the (stolen) black. The tan color symbolizes the buckskin caps worn by the Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War in the 1750s

Airborne Maroon Berets: First worn by British airborne under General Frederick Browning. Supposedly the color was chosen by the General's wife. I don't think it has significance other then what it has now earned as an international symbol of airborne forces.

If anyone else knows more specifics about the meanings of the colors, please chime in.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 1:06 PM

2015-03-28T13:06:19-04:00

The Air Force also wears berets.

CCT/STO – Scarlet
PJ/CRO – Maroon
TACP/ALO – Black
Weather Parachutists – Grey
Security Force – Blue
SERE Specialists – Sage Green

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Mar 29 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-03-29T11:44:51-04:00

On reflection ... I think Mountain should get a beret as well.
How about granite gray?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 4:11 PM

2016-01-27T16:11:13-05:00

Red: Part of an Airborne Unit
Tan: Part of a Ranger Unit (usually Ranger qualified)
Black: Every soldier gets one in Basic Combat Training.
Green: Special Forces soldiers only are authorized to wear this most sacred of headgear.

Response by SGT Eric Hawkins made Apr 18 at 2017 5:27 PM

2017-04-18T17:27:17-04:00

Wags,

Bergdahl wore a maroon beret while assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 24th ID. He is not Airborne certified, he was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge. But, he will lose that as soon as his court Marshall is over. When you are assigned to an ABN unit, you wear the beret for uniformity. But you're still just a dirty "leg!" He never earned ANYTHING!

Sgt. Hawk

Response by SSG John Jensen made Apr 18 at 2017 6:09 PM

2017-04-18T18:09:16-04:00

back in the 80's SSG "Dad" Reddaman (Ranger Cbt Scroll from Vietnam, but no school) told us the Army gave the Black Beret to the most elite in the Army: the Rangers, and the WACs

Response by SGT Michael Rhodes made Apr 18 at 2017 6:18 PM

2017-04-18T18:18:12-04:00

Ranger berets use to be black but Army change them to tan,maroon are airborne,green are special forces and black is everyone else in the army

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Apr 18 at 2017 10:34 PM

2017-04-18T22:34:24-04:00

I swear I remember someone wearing a silver/grey beret back when I served. they were US ARMY. WTF where they? someone said air assault.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Apr 19 at 2017 1:27 AM

2017-04-19T01:27:29-04:00

Response by SGT Dave Newton made Aug 15 at 2017 1:33 AM

2017-08-15T01:33:12-04:00

Originally, tan was for rangers ,wine for airborne, green for special forces, black was a dress beret for tankers then was repealed in the late 60s . Black was then brought back to be universal dress (now class a only). Thier is also a beret color list specific for certain regiments but not often used

Response by SGT James Raschke made Sep 18 at 2017 7:14 PM

2017-09-18T19:14:57-04:00

The only group that was allowed to wear the Green Beret was of course the Special Forces only to the red beret or maroon Beret went to all Airborne units only three the black Berets went to the Commandos or Rangers only the white boy was going back and forth to get voted back in for Honor Guard and military police units only and that's who I think are allowed to wear the berets.

Response by SGT Mike Starr made May 2 at 2018 2:36 PM

2018-05-02T14:36:26-04:00

Go Army

Response by CPL Jeff Tappan made May 2 at 2018 4:17 PM

2018-05-02T16:17:51-04:00

What really chapped my ass is when the Army brass decided to issue everyone who made it through bppt camp a black beret. I thought that they were strictly for Rangers, and you had to survive Ranger training to earn one. Just passing them out kind of cheapened them; lessened the value. Earned, not issued.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-05-02T16:30:02-04:00

Security forces. Brown beret

Response by Sgt Byron Marzan made May 2 at 2018 5:28 PM

2018-05-02T17:28:17-04:00

Berets were sharp when only specialized units were authorized to wear them. Now that everyone wears them, not so much. It's like "Everyone gets a trophy", SMH

Response by PFC Robert Shadwick made May 2 at 2018 5:57 PM

2018-05-02T17:57:38-04:00

Orange for Multination force organization MFO Sinai Egypt

Response by SSG Carl Gamel made May 2 at 2018 6:54 PM

2018-05-02T18:54:49-04:00

The beret is the worst piece of headgear ever made. It is not waterproof, no bill to shade the sun or keep rain off your glasses, no flap to keep your ears warm in the winter. They should have left them to the Airborne units.

Response by LTC Russ Smith made May 2 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-05-02T19:38:00-04:00

Handing out Black berets for finishing boot camp was right up there with participation trophies. That's just sad. Also the way it was communicated to the field when the uniform change came about was absolutely horrendous. The entire force found out about it through the media rather than through command channels. Finally, taking away the black beret from the Rangers was really insulting and just handing it to any old yokels that finishes basic training. . . It just seems that if you really wanted to give us all berets the tan beret should've been what was issued to the entire force and you would not have disrupted and insulted the Rangers. Having said that, the black beret for all is a horrendous horrible idea and I hope when the new uniforms come out in May the beret finally goes away and should the Rangers desire to go back to the black beret they should be allowed to with all due speed. And I say this as a five jump chump who had the privilege of wearing a maroon beret for very short while with the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 7:40 PM

2018-05-02T19:40:05-04:00

They are all a retarded pieces of headgear. Airborne you are not special sorry. The green berets are the only ones that I think are relevant but still think we need something more Murican.

Response by MSG Wally Mabry made May 2 at 2018 8:44 PM

2018-05-02T20:44:23-04:00

I don't know why anybody wears em. They don't keep the sun out of your eyes. They're hot as hell in the summertime. Half the troops wearing them look like a buncha pizza makers. The onlt thing any of em is good for is to take a dump in it and throw it away. They oughta issue em to prisoners at Leavenworth.

Response by MSgt Chuck Shannon made May 2 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-05-02T21:46:44-04:00

I’m not or never was in the Army, but I feel only airborne and special forces should wear the berets

Response by LTC Larry Hanold made May 2 at 2018 10:44 PM

2018-05-02T22:44:29-04:00

Wearing a beret should mean you are a highly qualified individual in a specialized Combat unit.

Response by SFC Anthony Camacho made May 2 at 2018 11:33 PM

2018-05-02T23:33:41-04:00

United Nations: Sky blue
Orange: Multinational Observers (Sinai Desert)

Response by SGT Brian Lorkowski made May 3 at 2018 12:28 AM

2018-05-03T00:28:37-04:00

It was better when the beret was an earned part of the uniform. Now that everybody has one, half of them dont know how to where them!

Response by CPT Phil Guske made May 3 at 2018 4:37 AM

2018-05-03T04:37:12-04:00

Still have my maroon and feeling of pride having served with "America's Guard of Honor".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 5:48 AM

2018-05-03T05:48:33-04:00

They have a new color beret now. It's a brown beret that the newly formed SFAB personal wear.

Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made May 3 at 2018 7:16 AM

2018-05-03T07:16:15-04:00

Berets used to be EARNED!
RANGERs wore a Black Beret!
SPECIAL FORCES wore a Green Beret!
82nd AIRBORNE wore a Maroon Beret!

Response by SPC John Decker made May 3 at 2018 8:00 AM

2018-05-03T08:00:24-04:00

In my day there was three. Maroon-Airborne, Green-Special Forces, Black-Rangers. The beret was something you earned.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made May 3 at 2018 8:10 AM

2018-05-03T08:10:57-04:00

CW2 John Brookins, only SF qualified in an SF slot can wear the Green Beanie, SF support wears maroon. CPL Wagner...perfectly good airplane, the scariest C130 I ever hurled my self out of was a USMC C 130. This was in 1992.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made May 3 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-05-03T09:48:20-04:00

The ones that got fucked were the Rangers - about all that needs to be said on the color fiasco! Should have NEVER dishonored them by removing their namesake. As a non-tab bearing leg medically retired MI puke, that is my honor to you fine men and women of the Ranger Regiment! God Bless and Hooah!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 10:06 AM

2018-05-03T10:06:43-04:00

When there brought out the back beret to everyone it was a recruiting tool and a mistake. Most are unable to wear it correctly.

Response by Sgt Christopher Karney made May 3 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-05-03T11:49:15-04:00

my personal favorite beret comment was from Marine Commandant Krulak. When asked about a uniform upgrade to a beret, his reply: “I don’t want my Marines looking like Frenchmen”

Response by SGT Jim Jones made May 3 at 2018 12:18 PM

2018-05-03T12:18:50-04:00

I was never prouder when I was awarded my Green Beret. It made me feel like I was something special. Then the Army started issuing berets to everyone who had completed basic combat training. Not as much pride in the Beret as before. HHC, 19th SFGA, 1st SF.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 12:53 PM

2018-05-03T12:53:46-04:00

One of the Army's dumbest ideas, and they've had many. Where's the distinction if everybody has one? Felt bad for Rangers when the black beret was authorized for everyone. Other than the distinctive feature, berets are completely useless!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 1:11 PM

2018-05-03T13:11:26-04:00

Black - graduates basic

Maroon - Yard Dart

Tan - Didnt get peered out and was able to stand at graduation

Green - The only one actually earned any more.

Response by CPL Joe Hancock made May 3 at 2018 2:10 PM

2018-05-03T14:10:51-04:00

My unit, 11th ACR, had the black Beret as an award for multiple campaigns, I believe. I was pretty disappointed when they decided to just give it away.

Response by SSG Scott Martin made May 3 at 2018 2:55 PM

2018-05-03T14:55:28-04:00

There are brown ones now too

Response by CPL Albert Nava made May 3 at 2018 3:49 PM

2018-05-03T15:49:05-04:00

Specialist not corporal Air Defense Artillery “It Flies It Dies”

Response by SGT Nick Graham made May 3 at 2018 4:50 PM

2018-05-03T16:50:13-04:00

I have no clue We didn’t have them when I was in Just had hats Only SO could wear them

Response by SGT Richard Smith made May 3 at 2018 6:23 PM

2018-05-03T18:23:00-04:00

At one time there was a rumor that Cav unites would have cowboy hats I wonder what happened to that

Response by PO2 Charles Kokel made May 3 at 2018 7:07 PM

2018-05-03T19:07:29-04:00

I liked the Stetson better. My brother a friend were Calvary

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 3 at 2018 7:51 PM

2018-05-03T19:51:46-04:00

As someone who just hates the Army Black Beret, I assumed it was so a 4 star could get an in as a CEO of Dominoes Pizza. Because 3/4 of the people looked like pizza chef's at some fast food joint. Seriously, Green: SF, Black Originally: Rangers, jacked up and given to everyone, then the Rangers got the Tan Beret, Airborne: Red

Response by PO3 Bob Anderson made May 3 at 2018 8:17 PM

2018-05-03T20:17:16-04:00

Ranger tan.....much better then black.

Response by SPC Milton Sayatovich made May 3 at 2018 8:35 PM

2018-05-03T20:35:44-04:00

You guys forgot one color, orange. When I was on active duty the unit I was assigned to was deployed to the Sini desert. We were assigned and ordered to wear the orange berets.

Response by A1C Lexas Granger made May 3 at 2018 8:57 PM

2018-05-03T20:57:04-04:00

You guys are dumb with the weird labeling of the berets. Funny, but dumb Alpha Foxtrot.

Tell you what if you see a Red Beret from the Air Force. You obviously needed a nap and they’ll carry you to your bachelor pad and put you to bed with a ba-ba. Oh, wait that’s if you’re Air Force...

Response by MAJ Michael Steely made May 3 at 2018 9:02 PM

2018-05-03T21:02:05-04:00

A functionless piece of uniform. At least the baseball cap offered shade. The baseball cap took one hand to put on and it didn’t take special manipulation to “shape “ correctly. The military should be about killing the enemy not how pretty you look. Give me a cap with pockets-extra ammo carriers-knife holder -something-anything functional- not something that takes more time to do nothing but look good.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made May 3 at 2018 10:45 PM

2018-05-03T22:45:15-04:00

Green - Special Forces
Tan - Rangers
Red - Airborne
Black - Everyone else
Its that simple.

Response by TSgt Daniel Wareham made May 3 at 2018 10:53 PM

2018-05-03T22:53:45-04:00

My father wore a Black one with the Queen's Own emblem. One of 12 people authorized at the time he said.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 11:35 PM

2018-05-03T23:35:03-04:00

Raspberry is airborne. Then they just get crazy from there.

Response by MSG Robert Marietta made May 3 at 2018 11:52 PM

2018-05-03T23:52:29-04:00

As a retired Army Ranger. I was proud to wear the black beret as part of my uniform. The simple truth is during two tours in Vietnam I don’t think I wore it more than two or three times. Still, it was part of my uniform and I wore it for many years after. I was retired when they gave the black beret to the entire army. Glad I wasn’t still active duty. I would have told them just where they could shove that tan one!!

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made May 4 at 2018 2:36 AM

2018-05-04T02:36:55-04:00

You all missed 2, that are regularly worn by Army units, though, I believe anyone assigned to said mission can wear them. I add them for clarity, since I have actually been asked. Light blue is for personnel who have been attached to the United Nations, or UN duties, such as "peacekeeping" or "peace enforcement"(surprisingly differing levels of danger there), and brick red berets, for troops assigned to the Sainai peace keeping mission. Also, there is a new, though I'm not 100% up to speed on it, ADVISORY force, who have a new, I believe "brown" beret. They were originally to have a "shade of green" beret, but that, and their unit insignia's similarity to that of SF, led to a communal "Shit Fit", in the SF community.

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made May 4 at 2018 2:38 AM

2018-05-04T02:38:51-04:00

Ahhh found the "stupidity". The new "Advisor", or Security Forces Assistance Brigade, brown beret

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made May 4 at 2018 2:40 AM

2018-05-04T02:40:14-04:00

Oh, and the SF wannabe patch, to go with the "brown beret"

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made May 4 at 2018 2:40 AM

2018-05-04T02:40:36-04:00

They have updated it, to look LESS SF, but not totally

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made May 4 at 2018 2:40 AM

2018-05-04T02:40:56-04:00

The LESS SF version

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made May 4 at 2018 9:15 AM

2018-05-04T09:15:00-04:00

US troops in Europe began adopting berets at the discretion of unit commanders. They were generally worn as a means of informal differentiation and often followed our Allies' approach. For example, tankers began wearing black berets similar to German tankers to be easily distinguished from the mech units with whom they were often colocated. The airborne beret is the same shade as the British 1st Para Regiment headgear. When, in the 1960s, President Kennedy commented about the absence of berets amongst S.F. troops at a formal review, it was taken as an executive order authorizing wear of the Green Beret. This, amongst other factors, is why the Special Warfare Center at Ft. Bragg is named in his honor... he was considered the patron, almost the Patron Saint of SF.
When General Shinseki determined all troops should wear berets, and chose black as the universal color, the Ranger Regiment switched to tan, the color of the 22nd SAS Regiment, as their distinctive color.

Response by SGT Christopher Melton made May 4 at 2018 12:49 PM

2018-05-04T12:49:26-04:00

Black is standard issue, Maroon/wine is Airborne, Green Special Forces, Khaki is Rangers

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-05-04T18:41:31-04:00

Trust!!!! Most of us did not want the Beret

Response by SFC John Mckague made May 4 at 2018 7:03 PM

2018-05-04T19:03:20-04:00

Biggest mistake the Army Every made
Beret should be Airbone/Air Assault only

Response by SGM Van Seagraves made May 4 at 2018 8:26 PM

2018-05-04T20:26:52-04:00

You should have been around in '75.They were seriously considering berets for everyone with the color based on their branch color.Could you imagine a division online with all that B.S.on their head..

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made May 4 at 2018 8:39 PM

2018-05-04T20:39:58-04:00

Since June 14, 2001, the black beret is worn by all United States Army troops unless the soldier is approved to wear a different distinctive beret. In the U.S. Army there are four approved distinctive berets: Maroon, tan, brown, and green.
In 2011, the Army replaced the black wool beret with the patrol cap as the default headgear for the Army Combat Uniform.
The maroon beret has been adopted as official headdress by the Airborne forces as a symbol of their unique capabilities, the tan beret by the 75th Ranger Regiment, the brown beret by the Security Force Assistance Brigades, and the green beret by the Special Forces.
In 1943 General Frederick Browning, commander of the British First Airborne Corps, granted a battalion of the U.S. Army's 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment honorary membership in the British Parachute Regiment and authorized them to wear British-style maroon berets. During the Vietnam War, U.S. military advisers to Vietnamese airborne units often wore the Vietnamese French-style red beret.
HQDA policy from 1973 through 1979 permitted local commanders to encourage morale-enhancing distinctions. Airborne forces chose to wear the maroon beret as a mark of distinction. This permission was rescinded in 1979 when the army Chief of Staff, GEN Bernard Rogers, required all units to adhere to the uniform regulation (AR 670-1). On 28 November 1980, the updated regulation authorized airborne (parachute) organizations to resume wearing the maroon beret. In the interim, airborne units wore baseball caps with silver wings and the oval flash above the rank badge with the fatigue uniform, and the overseas cap with glider and parachute patch with the dress green uniform.

Response by SPC Johny Wilson made May 4 at 2018 8:53 PM

2018-05-04T20:53:24-04:00

In my day we had black berets in the Calvary

Response by SPC Jelle Matt made May 4 at 2018 10:14 PM

2018-05-04T22:14:44-04:00

Bergdahl is NOT Airborne. He got to wear a maroon beret because of the unit he was attached to. What a fucking travesty.

Response by CPT Joseph Bowersock made May 4 at 2018 11:18 PM

2018-05-04T23:18:09-04:00

Air Assult!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 12:14 AM

2018-05-05T00:14:56-04:00

Black: Look what we stole for the Rangers.

Response by PO1 Daniel Brock made May 5 at 2018 5:35 AM

2018-05-05T05:35:33-04:00

Just a question from an old, retired Navy Gunners Mate. If they are so aggravating, and it's apparent to me that they are from some of the comments I've read here, why hasn't the senior leadership made a change. Apart from Green Berets, Rangers, and Airborne, I really can't see any form of Army tradition that would cause them to want to hold on to these. Just a question from a career "dirt sailor"? Lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 12:27 PM

2018-05-05T12:27:49-04:00

The pretentiousness of airborne people is astounding.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 3:39 PM

2018-05-05T15:39:51-04:00

Regular troops with no wings should have never gotten the black beret.

Response by CPL Gary Williams made May 5 at 2018 4:46 PM

2018-05-05T16:46:06-04:00

Much respect to alley, all I got was a friggin baseball cap

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 6:15 PM

2018-05-05T18:15:18-04:00

Yellow is for tankers when berets where 1st created.

Response by SGT Joseph Cardenas made May 5 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-05-05T19:46:35-04:00

Rangers should have kept their black berets and the rest of the army should have been issued the tan ones

Response by CPL Vance Dixon made May 5 at 2018 7:54 PM

2018-05-05T19:54:49-04:00

I was a spec 4 not a corporal

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 8:33 PM

2018-05-05T20:33:56-04:00

I wore a dixie cup no shade from the sun

Response by SPC Charles Batchelor made May 6 at 2018 12:38 AM

2018-05-06T00:38:43-04:00

As you has stated, yes ymthere are other badges thst denote those things but the colored Beret except for black can only be eorn by persobnel asdigbed to the respective units. SF not currently in a SF unit don't wear the Green Beret, sane with Air Bourne, and Rangers.

Response by SGT Charles Wheeler made May 6 at 2018 3:22 AM

2018-05-06T03:22:51-04:00

Maroon-Airborne.
Tan-Rangers (formerly Rangers, and in the 70's Armored Cavalry)
Green-Special Forces.
Black-everyone else.

Response by SFC Killo Serafin made May 6 at 2018 3:32 AM

2018-05-06T03:32:49-04:00

I wore a cab hat ! not a beret ! even though I was issued one.

Response by SPC Mjchael Sible made May 6 at 2018 12:17 PM

2018-05-06T12:17:11-04:00

Green

Response by SFC David Elston made May 6 at 2018 1:03 PM

2018-05-06T13:03:11-04:00

Everyone forgetting the rainbow striped one - cavalry

Response by PO2 Killashandra Leigh made May 6 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-05-06T13:23:50-04:00

I served in Submarines, but I remember when they took the Black Beret from Rangers, and gave it to regular Army. If the rest of the troops were so insistent on having a beret, then give THEN the tan, and return the Black to its rightful owners.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-05-06T13:48:31-04:00

Black- every soldier has one
Tan- Ranger
Maroon- Airborne
Green- Special Forces
Brown- SFAB

Response by SGT Jonathan Howe made May 6 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-05-06T17:29:21-04:00

Here is a thought if the rangers are “S.F.” I can see them keeping their tan Berets but I think they should give up their blue cord. Clime to glory

Response by SGT David Compton made May 6 at 2018 9:28 PM

2018-05-06T21:28:49-04:00

When in the 90's when I was in the berets and the color it meant something. It signified that your unit was Elite and you had earned that by Blood Sweat and Tears. Green was for the Special Forces Groups. Black was for the Rangers. And Maroon was for the Airborne. All of which you had to go through and and preform well enough to pass. Not everyone did. As for myself I did. They should have left that alone. If DOD and the Army wanted to have everyone in a berets, the regular troops should have been issued a Tan beret, or just let them keep the field cap. If a soldier want to wear a Beret they should have volunteered to do the training it takes to earn one.

Response by SFC Ron Culver made May 6 at 2018 10:55 PM

2018-05-06T22:55:33-04:00

Going to tje black beret Army wide was one of the dumbest ideas ever inflicted on the Army. I hated that thing from the day I had to start wearing until I retired. Some wannabe spec ops type sitting behind a desk at the Pentagon probably thought it up. It is almost as bad as the idea of going to pinks and tans again. How many dress uniforms do our soldiers need?

Response by PV2 Dave Barnett made May 7 at 2018 10:32 AM

2018-05-07T10:32:49-04:00

When I was in (73), I thought maroon belonged to the Medical Corps.

Response by PO1 Paul Osullivan made May 7 at 2018 10:50 AM

2018-05-07T10:50:37-04:00

Thanks you the education, you all have my respect!

Response by CPT Bobby Johnson made May 7 at 2018 12:15 PM

2018-05-07T12:15:21-04:00

Rasberry-Nikki, kind you find in a second hand store.

Response by PO2 Hauke Powers made May 7 at 2018 6:59 PM

2018-05-07T18:59:28-04:00

to add another twist to this issue....Boy Scouts of America, National Council had a red beret mandated for a few years...nearly EVERYONE hated it...Troops came up with their own "official" head covers until National went to the ball cap version...thank god they came to their senses !!

Response by PV2 Carlos Molano made May 7 at 2018 7:05 PM

2018-05-07T19:05:32-04:00

Still prefer the O.D ball cap

Response by COL Ardis Ferguson made May 7 at 2018 8:57 PM

2018-05-07T20:57:00-04:00

CPL Wagner, FYSA: there is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane. Thus, we have those in berets who have practiced for such an event

Response by SFC Dennis Shibley made May 8 at 2018 7:13 AM

2018-05-08T07:13:04-04:00

I earned my green beret also my ranger tab

Response by SFC Howard Kempf made May 8 at 2018 8:59 AM

2018-05-08T08:59:09-04:00

It was Shinsecki''s version of everyone gets a trophy. Most basic Soldiers still do not even know how to wear them properly. Berets should be for elite forces, period.

Response by SGT David Nicholas made May 8 at 2018 9:56 AM

2018-05-08T09:56:56-04:00

I came from an Army that wore a utility hat and berets had to be EARNED! When we switched over to berets I felt so ashamed. It felt like stolen valor, for wearing a badge of honor that wasn't earned. Because of this, when my time came to re-up I decided to ETS rather than continue to disgrace myself and my uniform. I gave 10 yrs to the Army and was prepared to go more but not at the cost of my personal honor.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-05-08T13:38:10-04:00

When the beret was worn by airborne, rangers and SF, it was the sign of an elite unit.

When everyone wears a beret, it’s just a stupid French hat.

Response by COL William Oseles made May 8 at 2018 3:24 PM

2018-05-08T15:24:02-04:00

The Black Beret used to belong to Tankers, the Rangers appropriated it after the Green Beret was approved and Berets were allowed once again.

Response by SSgt Raymond Hessler made May 8 at 2018 9:01 PM

2018-05-08T21:01:23-04:00

I got yer blue hangin. Aor Force SP baby...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2018 1:23 AM

2018-05-09T01:23:23-04:00

Actually most European nations Airborne units wear the maroon beret. That’s where we adopted it from

Response by SPC Jeff Peek made May 9 at 2018 8:17 AM

2018-05-09T08:17:46-04:00

The Maroon beret is a hell of a lot bigger than Bergdhal. Only Airborne Units wear the beret. Jump school is not a hard school. But it takes a special kinda grit to tough it out in a forward unit in the 82nd Airborne. Thousands of men and women graduate and earn jump wings each year. Few volunteer for Airborne duty. And fewer remain in Airborne units do to injury or lack of motivation.

Response by SFC Ed Pinson made May 9 at 2018 3:04 PM

2018-05-09T15:04:18-04:00

The Black Beret was worn by Tankers before it was taken by the Rangers.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 9 at 2018 7:34 PM

2018-05-09T19:34:34-04:00

I came in when they "dawned" new black beret. I was only in AIT and even I thought it was BS. the berets were meant to be a symbol of the echelon of bad A$$ units. if you didn't have one it meant you were not in an elite unit. To wear a Beret meant you were part an an elite group of people that had the balls and intestinal fortitude to do something as badass as jump out of a plane or be able grind out through physical and mental torture that went above and beyond for weeks on end. I was of the mind set that berets are suppose to be earned, not issued. But I guess somebody felt left out and didn't want to where banana caps. It's not like they are practical. you don't have a brim to block the sun out your eyes, they're hot hell, and you always have a weird tan line on your head. they are for show only

Response by SPC Dean Rhodes made May 9 at 2018 8:03 PM

2018-05-09T20:03:50-04:00

Umm, Guys...With respect you forgot about the rust colored beret. Multinational Forces and Observers, MFO, or Sainai Peacekeeping Force.

Response by SSG Lucien Lafond Jr. made May 10 at 2018 6:44 AM

2018-05-10T06:44:02-04:00

the beret is for special forces like the rangers in the army and should never have been for any other army group

Response by Maj John Bell made May 10 at 2018 9:42 AM

2018-05-10T09:42:03-04:00

An over indulged sense of fashion.

Response by GySgt Joe Tajc made May 10 at 2018 4:50 PM

2018-05-10T16:50:39-04:00

They look uncomfortable, and don’t shade your eyes from the sun.

Response by PV2 Wayne Grinnell made May 10 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-05-10T19:15:52-04:00

Having been out for more than 30 years and I followed in My fathers steps Being Army. My Father being an Officer and Myself being Enlisted we had our differences of Opinions but this was something we Both agreed on. We Both talked about the Beret given to the Regular Army. It was wrong on many levels. The Green, Black and Red Berets were a visible badge to Honor the Hard work You did to become one of the Elite Army Units. I feel that the Army has listened to, to many Liberals and is trying to make everything the same for everyone. If You work Your ass off You deserve the Recognition Of Being in an Elite Unit.

Response by MAJ Bill Savoy made May 10 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-05-10T22:25:23-04:00

All they did is turn an Honorable beret into a piece of shit cloth worn by some sorry poor excuse piece of shit. The original beret I was told was actually worn by Tankers. I would not know since my main head gear was a flight helmet.

Response by PO1 Barbara Matthews made May 11 at 2018 12:51 AM

2018-05-11T00:51:33-04:00

Funny because in the Navy only female sailors wore berets. They were firmer and had a definite shape. Now women wear the traditional sailor hat traditionally worn by the males. All in the name of gender neutrality. Hummmm.

Response by MSG Michael Gatto made May 11 at 2018 6:26 AM

2018-05-11T06:26:37-04:00

They all are a joke now that they isuuse them to everyone

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 6:09 PM

2018-05-11T18:09:45-04:00

So no uniformity? Get over it! If the color of your headgear defines you, perhaps you should look internally. Are you still a bada$$ mf in civies? If so, the headgear is irrelevant.

Response by PV2 Brandon Gamble made May 11 at 2018 6:13 PM

2018-05-11T18:13:14-04:00

Black
A 23rd Infantry Regiment soldier wearing his black beret, circa 2000
Main article: Black beret

A black beret was authorized for wear by female soldiers in 1975, and is used also for mechanized units, troops, and guards. The black beret is worn by soldiers in the United Army.[4]

On January 30, 1975, it was officially allowed to be worn by the newly created battalions of United States Army Rangers who had worn it unofficially during the Vietnam War. In 1978, Army Chief of Staff Bernard Rogers required all units to adhere to the uniform regulation AR 670-1, which had not been updated to authorize the black beret for Rangers. In 1979 the new Army chief of staff, GEN Edward C. Meyers, directed that the black beret be authorized wear by Ranger units only. AR 670-1 was updated in 1980 to include this provision.

In 2001, the black beret became the primary headgear for both the service uniform (in garrison setting) and dress uniform for all United States Army troops unless the soldier is approved to wear a different distinctive beret. In 2011, the Army changed back to the patrol cap for wear with the utility uniform, with the beret remaining the headgear for the dress uniform.[5]
Brown
A soldier from the 1st SFAB wearing her brown beret, circa February 2018

Soldiers of the U.S. Army's new Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) are authorized to wear the brown beret—with a brigade specific beret flash and distinctive unit insignia (DUI)—to recognize these new specialized units whose core mission is to conduct training, advising, assisting, enabling and accompanying operations with allied and partner nations. According to an official U.S. Army article, "SFAB soldiers will be on the ground with their partners - fighting side-by-side with them in all conditions, so the brown beret symbolizes dirt or mud akin to the 'muddy boots' moniker given to leaders who are always out with the troops."[6]
Maroon
A former ACG of the 82nd Airborne Division wearing his maroon beret
Main article: Maroon beret

In 1943 General Frederick Browning, commander of the British First Airborne Corps, granted a battalion of the U.S. Army's 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment honorary membership in the British Parachute Regiment and authorized them to wear British-style maroon berets. During the Vietnam War, U.S. military advisers to Vietnamese airborne units often wore the Vietnamese French-style red beret.

HQDA policy from 1973 through 1979 permitted local commanders to encourage morale-enhancing distinctions. Airborne forces chose to wear the maroon beret as a mark of distinction. This permission was rescinded in 1979 when the army Chief of Staff, GEN Bernard Rogers, required all units to adhere to the uniform regulation (AR 670-1). On 28 November 1980, the updated regulation authorized airborne (parachute) organizations to resume wearing the maroon beret. In the interim, airborne units wore baseball caps with silver wings and the oval flash above the rank badge with the fatigue uniform, and the overseas cap with glider and parachute patch with the dress green uniform.
Tan
A former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment wearing his tan beret
Main article: Tan beret

On 14 June 2001, U.S. Army Rangers assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment were authorized to wear a distinctive tan beret to replace the black berets that had recently become the army-wide standard. The color was chosen by the members of the 75th Ranger Regiment as being similar to other elite units with similar missions worldwide, notably the British, Australian and New Zealand Special Air Service regiments.

The change in color also required modification of the associated flashes worn by the Ranger units, changing the borders from white to black in order to provide better contrast to the lighter beret.
Green
A Special Forces detachment receive instruction aboard a U.S. Naval ship—off the coast of White Beach, Okinawa, Japan—prior to conducting water insertion and demolition training in 1956, wearing their green berets prior to their approved wear in 1961.
The current JFK Special Warfare Center and School Command Chief Warrant Officer wearing his green beret
Main article: Green beret

In the U.S. armed forces, the green beret may be worn only by soldiers awarded the Special Forces Tab, signifying they have qualified as Special Forces soldiers.

U.S. Army Special Forces wear the green beret because of their link to the British Commandos of World War II. The first Ranger unit, commonly known as Darby's Rangers, was formed in Northern Ireland during the summer of 1942. On completion of training at the Commando Training Depot at Achnacarry Castle in Scotland, those Rangers had the right to wear the British Commando green beret, but it was not part of the regulation uniform at the time and was disallowed by the U.S. Army. [7]

The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) had many veterans of World War II and Korea in its ranks when it was formed in 1952. Members of the 10th SFG began to unofficially wear a variety of berets while training, some favoring the red or maroon airborne beret, the black beret, or the green commando beret. In 1953, a beret whose design was based on that of the Canadian Army pattern, and which was rifle-green in color, was chosen for wear by Special Forces units.

Their new headgear was first worn at a retirement parade at Fort Bragg on 12 June 1955 for Lt. Gen. Joseph P. Cleland, the now-former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. Onlookers thought that the commandos were a foreign delegation from NATO.[8]

In 1956 Gen. Paul D. Adams, the post commander at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, banned its wear, even though it was worn on the sly when units were in the field or deployed overseas. This was reversed on 25 September 1961 by Department of the Army Message 578636, which designated the green beret as the exclusive headgear of the Army Special Forces.[7]

When visiting the Special Forces at Fort Bragg on 12 October 1961, President John F. Kennedy asked Brig. Gen. William P. Yarborough to make sure that the men under his command wore green berets for the visit. Later that day, Kennedy sent a memorandum that included the line: '"I am sure that the green beret will be a mark of distinction in the trying times ahead".[9] By America's entry into the Vietnam War, the green beret had become a symbol of excellence throughout the U.S. Army. On 11 April 1962 in a White House memorandum to the United States Army, President Kennedy reiterated his view: "The green beret is a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom".[9] Previously, both Yarborough and Edson Raff had petitioned the Pentagon to allow wearing of the green beret, to no avail.[9]

Response by CPL Kevin Kumpe made May 11 at 2018 11:45 PM

2018-05-11T23:45:47-04:00

I was maroon beret airborne infantry all they way baby

Response by SSgt Mark Carter made May 12 at 2018 2:29 PM

2018-05-12T14:29:07-04:00

Ok ,you'll notice Marines don't wear berets. We move too fast and create such huge shockwaves a beret would never stay on.

Response by SPC Dwight Crumpacker made May 12 at 2018 5:58 PM

2018-05-12T17:58:24-04:00

He was an infantry leg assigned to the 82nd Airborne, never was never will be Airborne

Response by PFC Richie Carter made May 13 at 2018 12:24 AM

2018-05-13T00:24:30-04:00

If I remember correctly the 101st airborne had a baby blue beret until they went air mobile in what 73 or 74.

Response by CPL Ross Elliott made May 13 at 2018 9:49 AM

2018-05-13T09:49:52-04:00

This was a HUGE complaint back when they 1st came out the them. We used to say if you didn’t earn it don’t wear it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2018 11:45 AM

2018-05-13T11:45:57-04:00

Bergdahl never went to airborne school. He was a leg filling a slot in my old unit.

Response by Sgt James Rodriguez made May 13 at 2018 10:10 PM

2018-05-13T22:10:20-04:00

Marines dont need beret there all bad as#

Response by MSG William Hesser made May 14 at 2018 12:15 AM

2018-05-14T00:15:10-04:00

It isn't a piece of issued clothing, It is a part of your uniform you must earn by completing jump school and being assigned to a Airborne unit for the red beret, or the completion of Ranger school and (originally) being awarded the black beret now the tan beret, or the completion of the Special Forces qualification course and being awarded the Green Beret.
Most of the other soldiers have told me, that they would prefer the garrison cap in lieu of the beret. They all have told me that it is something that should be earned and not issued.

Response by SSG Scott Jordan made May 14 at 2018 2:27 PM

2018-05-14T14:27:59-04:00

Don’t forget the orange one. They where it in the Sinai (MFO). I did two tours there.

Response by MSG Gary Stewart made May 14 at 2018 4:36 PM

2018-05-14T16:36:04-04:00

Should have kept berets for Ranger Airborne and Green Berets only

Response by PO3 Nicholas Crawford made May 14 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-05-14T16:56:41-04:00

M I the only one wounderI got way the Army where’s head gear from a country that never one a war. Well guess the other Branches are for the winning

Response by SP5 Charles Conley made May 14 at 2018 10:42 PM

2018-05-14T22:42:23-04:00

I knew Green was SF, Black Rangers,Maroon was Airborne, wore the maroon from 76-78

Response by PFC John Coble Jr made Jun 2 at 2018 1:19 AM

2018-06-02T01:19:07-04:00

We didn't where parades we were cowboy hats in the 1st Cav

Response by PFC Peter Bohnhof made Jun 8 at 2018 11:07 AM

2018-06-08T11:07:07-04:00

There was a time when not everyone wore berets. The 75th Ranger Rgt wore black. Then an asshat general named shitseki decided that all average soldiers could be super soldiers by merely issuing them black berets. Of course this is asinine and the Rangers were incredulous that this monkey was going to give something away that we had worked beyond hard for, so naturally 75th command switched to something else, the tan beret. It’s the participation trophy theory and it’s stupid for obvious reasons. Still waiting for the Army to wake up and put normal soldiers back into normal headgear. RLTW!

Response by MSG William Hesser made Jul 5 at 2018 12:14 PM

2018-07-05T12:14:36-04:00

The original Green Beret was awarded to the Special Forces by President Kennedy.
Years later, the Red Beret was adopted by other Airborne units and the Rangers adopted the Black Beret.
The Army Chief of Staff (I call him Gen 'Spingally' since I can never remember his name. I only know that he hated the SF since he tried 3 times and couldn't make it past pre phase selection to get qualified in SF) so he decided to award everyone the Beret, so he gave the whole Army the Black Beret, which no one in non Airborne units wanted, and he gave the Rangers the Tan Beret to replace the Black Beret he took away from them.
There have been several surveys and all of the conventional non Airborne units in the Army, and they want their service cap back.

Response by Cpl Jackson Spurlock made Jul 6 at 2018 3:39 PM

2018-07-06T15:39:26-04:00

As an Old Jarhead I had to jump into this conversation...In the Marines we all wear Green Hats!!! Just Saying!!!

Response by Cpl Jackson Spurlock made Jul 6 at 2018 3:41 PM

2018-07-06T15:41:10-04:00

Just had to jump in here and let it be known, in the Marines we all wear Green Hats!!!

Response by Matt Moon made Sep 8 at 2018 12:19 PM

2018-09-08T12:19:22-04:00

United States Army . Black - Regular Army , Green - Special Forces, Tan - Ranger, Orange- Colition Forces. White - Honor Guard, Sky Blue- United Nations, Red - Military Police. Maroon - Airborne. Brown - Security Assistance Force. Gray - Cadets, Tankers, Sapper & Combat Enginers. Yellow - Unknown.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Nov 22 at 2018 2:00 PM

2018-11-22T14:00:02-05:00

When I was infantry 11B in 2/12 Cav we wore black berets.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made May 16 at 2019 1:48 PM

2019-05-16T13:48:31-04:00

When I 1st joined Cav got black, armor got gold, artillery got Red. I can't remember the rest I was Cav so I know we had black. Different MOS's got different colors so you could tell who was what.

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Feb 29 at 2020 11:50 AM

2020-02-29T11:50:47-05:00

I got out way before the beret era. My son's in now, tried one of his on. Glad I didn't have to wear one. Like any other fashion, some guys can pull it off, most can't. I couldn't.

Response by PV2 David Holder made Feb 29 at 2020 4:29 PM

2020-02-29T16:29:01-05:00

Thanks but no thanks, liked our Stetsons far better. Glad I was out before the beret was a thing for everyone.

Response by SSG James Oliver Nathan Jr made Feb 29 at 2020 10:00 PM

2020-02-29T22:00:03-05:00

Special units. Infantry shuold have Blue.

Response by SFC John Martin made Mar 3 at 2020 3:10 PM

2020-03-03T15:10:34-05:00

Dark blue: Cherry backed RAMC cap badge. General service beret.