When is the boonie cap authorized?

If it is issued by the Army or within the Army inventory for issue - then it is authorized. If a First Sergeant or Commander says otherwise, ask them to produce the AR that says otherwise. Commonsense dictates equipment and uniform needed for the mission - and while some in the chain can be uniform-nazis and like to dictate a uniform that makes no sense for the mission at hand... you will find most of those have never been in a real-world mission, but lived their life in garrison or in training exercises during their career up to this point. The boots issued today, quite comfortable and far aside from the black leather boots of the 80s and 90s... I once wore a 1st generation brown suede cushioned boot by Reebok (since we were in the desert in New Mexico)... I had been in 7 years by that time and just two years before the U.S. began tours in the middle east began after 9-11-01 - I figured I would test these boots out compared to our black leather boots in desert warfare training. Turns out they were cooler, more comfortable, and cushioned to the point that I practically glided across the sands. A new First Seargeant saw them, hated them, and requested I remove them. I was a brand new 2LT - spent the last three previous years as an NCO, so I asked why the First Sergeant was having such a hard time with it. He said, they weren't issued by the Army. At the time, he was right. So, I then asked him why not? He looked confused... so I told him that Soldiers should be informing our leaders about what equipment works and doesn't work or needs to be modified for certain environments (black leather boots in a desert environment doesn't work). So, I then asked the First Sergeant take a seat - I put my boot up against the sole of his boot, and I took them off and gave them to him. He wore them around at night so the troops wouldn't notice and by the time we ended our training he absolutely agreed... brown suede cushioned boots were better than black leather for the desert. So, make the right decisions for the troops and the mission, you can't be worried about making leadership happy about uniform decisions, but they will be happy if the troops accomplish their mission - and if a boonie hat is a better choice for the environment then so be it. Just be ready to explain why if you have to.

Commander's discretion. Being backed by the CSM is a major "plus." I think it is an incredibly useful headgear when in the proper environment. Worn it in Kuwait, Iraq, and Australia. Wished we could of worn it at NTC.

The only times I ever wore one was in Iraq and Kuwait when inside the camps and during training when I was a member of OPFOR.

Now that I'm retired I own a couple and wear them a lot. They provide a lot better sun protection than the patrol cap.

Honestly, if you're stationed in a desert environment, they should be standard wear during the summer months.

At commanders discretion . just like the combat shirt.

This is another makes no sense why not moments just like the ability to roll sleeves .
Too many commanders have no clue as to what they are doing to be able to make a logical decision such as this

Commanders call, and for me, any time I want

In my unit the answer was simple, it wasn't authorized ever and I agree. Usually the guys you'd see on the FOB wearing one were all the support guys who only left the FOB to catch their return flight to the US. A lot of line units forbid it for that reason alone. The other is that it looks stupid.

Whenever the Soldier decides to wear it.

Wouldn’t know where to find it in the regs but I’ve worn it and let my men wear it in the field . A Kevlar gets heavy . Especially on. Patrol

I personally believe the Bonnie cap should replace the patrol cap!