Posted on Jun 24, 2014
Cpl Brett Wagner
139K
604
291
45
45
0
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
Avatar feed
Responses: 143
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
Sgt James Rodriguez
0
0
0
Marines dont need beret there all bad as#
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Infantryman
0
0
0
Bergdahl never went to airborne school. He was a leg filling a slot in my old unit.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Ross Elliott
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PFC Richie Carter
0
0
0
If I remember correctly the 101st airborne had a baby blue beret until they went air mobile in what 73 or 74.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Dwight Crumpacker
0
0
0
He was an infantry leg assigned to the 82nd Airborne, never was never will be Airborne
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Mark Carter
0
0
0
Ok ,you'll notice Marines don't wear berets. We move too fast and create such huge shockwaves a beret would never stay on.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Kevin Kumpe
0
0
0
I was maroon beret airborne infantry all they way baby
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPO Interior Communications Electrician
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Michael Gatto
0
0
0
They all are a joke now that they isuuse them to everyone
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Barbara Matthews
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Bill Savoy
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PV2 Wayne Grinnell
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
GySgt Joe Tajc
0
0
0
They look uncomfortable, and don’t shade your eyes from the sun.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Maj John Bell
0
0
0
D8fcd4e9
An over indulged sense of fashion.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Lucien Lafond Jr.
0
0
0
the beret is for special forces like the rangers in the army and should never have been for any other army group
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Dean Rhodes
0
0
0
Umm, Guys...With respect you forgot about the rust colored beret. Multinational Forces and Observers, MFO, or Sainai Peacekeeping Force.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Matt Johnson
0
0
0
Edited 7 y ago
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
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Ed Pinson
0
0
0
The Black Beret was worn by Tankers before it was taken by the Rangers.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Jeff Peek
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
0
0
0
Actually most European nations Airborne units wear the maroon beret. That’s where we adopted it from
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Raymond Hessler
0
0
0
I got yer blue hangin. Aor Force SP baby...
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
COL William Oseles
0
0
0
The Black Beret used to belong to Tankers, the Rangers appropriated it after the Green Beret was approved and Berets were allowed once again.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Military Police
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT David Nicholas
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Howard Kempf
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Dennis Shibley
0
0
0
I earned my green beret also my ranger tab
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
COL Ardis Ferguson
0
0
0
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
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PV2 Carlos Molano
0
0
0
Still prefer the O.D ball cap
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO2 Hauke Powers
0
0
0
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 !!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Bobby Johnson
0
0
0
Rasberry-Nikki, kind you find in a second hand store.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Paul Osullivan
0
0
0
Thanks you the education, you all have my respect!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PV2 Dave Barnett
0
0
0
When I was in (73), I thought maroon belonged to the Medical Corps.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Jonathan Howe
0
0
0
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
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PVT Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator
0
0
0
Black- every soldier has one
Tan- Ranger
Maroon- Airborne
Green- Special Forces
Brown- SFAB
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO2 Killashandra Leigh
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC David Elston
0
0
0
Everyone forgetting the rainbow striped one - cavalry
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Mjchael Sible
0
0
0
Green
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Killo Serafin
0
0
0
I wore a cab hat ! not a beret ! even though I was issued one.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Charles Wheeler
0
0
0
Maroon-Airborne.
Tan-Rangers (formerly Rangers, and in the 70's Armored Cavalry)
Green-Special Forces.
Black-everyone else.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SGT Charles Wheeler
SGT Charles Wheeler
7 y
Sorry, let me amend that, Black was formerly Rangers. In the 70's Armored Cavalry Regiments wore the black Beret while the Rangers wore their distinctive patrol caps.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Charles Batchelor
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter