What military document states that berets with nylon headbands are not authorized?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:53:32 -0500

Senior NCOs have been saying this but when asked where it says it, they reply with find it yourself. Many of us have been looking for hours and can not find anything, and is driving us crazy.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 27 at 2016 8:57 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:57:23 -0500

While I obviously wasn't in the Army, if it's not in AR 670-1 it's not unauthorized.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 9:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:24:40 -0500

I have never had anyone say that before.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 10:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 22:29:17 -0500

Yeah it keeps getting brought up. I'm current in ALC now and even the SGLs are saying this and not telling us whatever AR/TC/FM/whatever it is in. Ive literally searched everything I can think of and got nothing. I've herd of this before when I was a young private but never really challenged it, just said roger and Charlie mike'd.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 4:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 04:48:12 -0500

I don't know if the public has easy access to them, but the DOD creates design amd manufacturing specifications for each item so that berets (or whatever) made by different manufacturers all look the same. So the material of the headband would be spelled out there. Since any beret issued by the Army would meet those specs, if the issue berets have leather headbands, then the specs require leather headbands. Usually if an item made of something else was authorized as optional wear, the AR would state it. But absent any exception, normally any civilian bought item would have to match the specs of the issued item.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 6:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 06:11:21 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I checked both AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1 and neither one mentioned anything about what materials the beret is made of, just how to wear it. I would approach one of those Senior NCO's and ask them where do they found that info since yourself have been looking and can't find it anywhere. If they tell you find it yourself again, I would say that they are full of shit and have no clue what they are talking about.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 8:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 08:00:01 -0500

AR670-1 stated that before the overhaul update a few years ago.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 11:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 23:55:18 -0500

I've heard this before, and like you, found nothing on it. So I asked my MSG about it. He said of the Reg doesn't say you can't wear it, then wear it. Personally, the nylon bamds are more comfortable and the beret actually stretches easier for you to shape and fit it properly. But that's my opinion. But it is not in a Reg that they are not authorized. So you should be fine with it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 1:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:32:49 -0400

I've also never seen any documentation on this. When I was in the 82nd I had a beret with a nylon headband. Nobody ever said anything.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 8:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 20:25:37 -0400

This link is the DA Beret Wear Policy and it says what material the beret needs to be made out of.

http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA402249

(2) Composition. The beret consists of a woolen knitted outer shell (lined or unlined) with a leather sweatband and an adjusting ribbon threaded through the binding. The beret is equipped with a stiffener on the left front for the attachment of organizational flashes and insignia.

Response by CPT William Jones made May 23 at 2020 8:16 PM

CPT William Jones — Sat, 23 May 2020 20:16:44 -0400

Why is that a problem. Never morn that head gear and personally don’t like it. We had a baseball type hat and it had a few minor issues(like a button on top) but if you got it at clothing sales you had a pedal hat and no worries. L would think the same for beret

Response by CPT William Jones made May 23 at 2020 8:26 PM

CPT William Jones — Sat, 23 May 2020 20:26:14 -0400

It is the one that tells how the beret is made the specs will say what material for each component

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 9:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:56:03 -0400

The only document that would specify the material is the manufacturer design document, which is what you see in the tag of all military USGI garments, in this case the Beret will be constructed according to military specification #AA-55184.

But, in truth, that's not something most people would reference. You should be fine, the only other thing is if the Commander says he wants all Soldiers to be uniform (the same), and could require a "leather" brim.