Who do you feel should wear the maroon beret?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:31:59 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2015 5:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:34:50 -0400

Engineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding....

Airborne units on jump status.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 23 at 2015 5:40 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:40:13 -0400

Non-SF or non-Ranger on jump status.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 23 at 2015 5:41 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:41:28 -0400

No one ever. Beret is a poor piece of equipment.

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Mar 23 at 2015 6:06 PM

CW2 John Brookins — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:06:58 -0400

Any Soldier who has wings and is on jump status but only in Class A/Bs or special functions. Patrol cap/Boonie cap/watch cap's are all more useful.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 23 at 2015 7:33 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:33:10 -0400

Air Force Pararescue.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2015 7:38 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:38:17 -0400

Only those currently on jump status. Airborne!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 23 at 2015 7:45 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:45:30 -0400

No one, LTC Private RallyPoint Member! Trash the maroon beret for traditional airborne units and go back to the garrison cap with glider patch!
Furthermore, trash the black beret for traditional non-airborne units and go back to the garrison cap without a glider patch (or service cap as required)!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2015 7:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:53:19 -0400

"That Others May Live"

What say you, SMSgt Troy Naquin

Of course, I can't speak for the sister services, so I'll stay out of that :P

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 23 at 2015 8:00 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:00:00 -0400

Since this is opinion and not a question of actual regulation, I feel it should only be for those with wings and on jump status.
I also think a steel gray baseball cap (like the red rigger's cap) should be for those within an Air Assault unit with wings. Admittedly, I prefer this for Air Assault units because it actually gives shade for the eyes and doesn't look anything like something Monica Lewinsky would wear.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 23 at 2015 8:00 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:00:49 -0400

Maroon PC

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Mar 23 at 2015 8:04 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:04:54 -0400

I really miss not having the beret back in the '60s.
Bloused boots were great and the glider patch was OK but I always felt a little jealous of the Brits.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2015 9:01 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 21:01:05 -0400

The Maroon Beret should only be worn but those who are exiting an aircraft.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 23 at 2015 9:41 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 21:41:13 -0400

General Shinseki, he started the entire beret fiasco.

Response by CPL Yavonn Smart made Mar 23 at 2015 11:15 PM

CPL Yavonn Smart — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 23:15:38 -0400

Any soldier that has earned the right no matter the unit they are assigned, and soldier assigned to an airborne unit during their assignment so as to be in the same uniform as the majority.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 23 at 2015 11:54 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 23:54:50 -0400

Not sure what your options mean... But pretty simple...

If I wear king... Airborne Qualified, in an Airborne Unit, on Jump Status, filling an paid parachutist slot.

It is not about the unit.... It is about the person... In my view. That said it is generally unit based, that is, units designated as Airborne Units on their MTOE.

Last time I was at Fortress Bragg, it was any Soldier assigned to an Airborne Unit, whether they were on jump status (paid parachutist) or not.

Only in dress uniform.... It is really not a practical hat...

Response by SGT Corey Franks made Mar 24 at 2015 8:53 AM

SGT Corey Franks — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:53:55 -0400

Any Soldier who has wings and is on jump status. The way it should be!

Response by SSG Rob Cline made Mar 24 at 2015 10:24 AM

SSG Rob Cline — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:24:14 -0400

I am not Airborne qualified, yet I did wear the maroon beret while assigned to 4/25. To me, it was a matter of pride wearing the beret. I took the time and effort to make sure it was squared the f%*k away too. Unfortunalely, the Army Gods deemed me unfit for Airborne School. Maybe it was because I was 39... or maybe because I already had Spinal Decompression...? Who knows...

It is funny though, my 1SG would always call me 'Leg', and I would laugh and inform him that "I have wings 1SG! They just hover...'

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 24 at 2015 10:40 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:40:52 -0400

Not a Marine. Ever.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 24 at 2015 10:44 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:44:26 -0400

Other than anyone in a early '90s Prince video, I would say those with wings and on jump status.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2015 10:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:52:44 -0400

A say any soldier that earned their wings period. And also if an unqualified person was to be assigned to units that authorize the wear by SOP. I'm for that also. Navy personnel wears everyone else's uniform. What do we say to that?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 24 at 2015 11:39 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:39:02 -0400

I was going to say that the system is fine as it is, but I think it would mean more if it were limited to those with wings on jump status.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Mar 24 at 2015 12:04 PM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:04:11 -0400

Let's get rid of the beret, let your tabs be your identifiers! Berets are impractical and the beret is from France, I don't think we need to imitate Frenchmen. If anything, we should wear cowboy hats!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 24 at 2015 2:18 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:18:55 -0400

I know nothing about this aspect of the Army but the third response, someone with wings on jump status seems to me anyway like the best. I feel like if you earned the beret you should be able to wear it and I am assuming that the third option covers those that earned it.

I would say the same about people in the Air Force. For example, if an individual goes through SOWT training and earns their grey beret I think that even if they have to switch over to regular weather, whether that be due to medical reasons or whatever else, they should still be allowed to wear it. The only exceptions I would say would be cases where someone got kicked out for negative reasons or in the case of job specific berets like the blue Security Forces beret. We have many re-trains from Security and obviously it would be weird having them wear a career field specific beret in a totally different job.

That's my take on it.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Mar 25 at 2015 11:14 AM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:14:14 -0400

I went with "Any soldier in an Airborne command", but I'm adding a caveat: Only with dress uniforms. They do look distinctive but as a utility headgear, they are hot, provide no shade, and are just overall useless.

My submission for wear with utility uniforms is this (pictured) with some distinctive patch in garrison and US flag on deployment.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Mar 25 at 2015 11:54 AM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:54:33 -0400

Any Soldier who is Jump Qualified and is on Jump Status!!! AATW!! I was in the 27th ENGRs when the Beret was reintroduced after a few years of not having them! We went to Ranger Joes or some other place to get them. Washed them Shaved them and everything to wear them on Monday, (we found out on Saturday) a show of pride as is the Green Beret and the Black Beret for the Rangers!

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Mar 25 at 2015 4:02 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:02:20 -0400

Though I am inclined to go with "Any soldier who has wings and is on jump status" I went with "Any Soldier in a jump status unit", ONLY because formations look unsightly with two different types of head wear.

Response by SPC Donald Tribble made Mar 26 at 2015 11:47 AM

SPC Donald Tribble — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:47:40 -0400

I always assumed that any one wearing a maroon beret was on active jump status assigned to an airborne unit. Berets use to be earned and meant something.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 26 at 2015 12:36 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:36:04 -0400

Those that earned it.

The beret should be a symbol of something that sets someone apart from others. Going through the riggers of Airborne school and earning the beret is a lot different than just being handed one.

Now I will agree that for a lot of Soldiers, their lack of knowledge and ability to shape and maintain the beret remains an issue.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Mar 26 at 2015 2:24 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:24:42 -0400

Not me...

But besides that, I voted for #3 but for unit cohesion, you can't really have a different color beret in an airborne company for legs. But I'm totally down and jiggy with everyone who said "no one" because it is the crappiest piece of headgear in the field.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 26 at 2015 2:44 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:44:33 -0400

Gotta have the wings and be on jump status. There shouldn't be non-airborne personnel in jump status units (though I think it does happen)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2015 4:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:25:45 -0400

Pretty simple. I believe that if you are serving as a Paratrooper, you should be authorized to wear "The Raspberry"

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 1:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:44:49 -0400

Not I.
Is this not the customary cover for The 82nd?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 12:53 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 00:53:38 -0400

Paratroopers.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jul 1 at 2017 5:05 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 17:05:52 -0400

Pararescue.. Air Force PJs have had themaroon beret for as long as I've know...

Response by SFC Jon Vandeyacht made Jul 7 at 2017 9:06 PM

SFC Jon Vandeyacht — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 21:06:22 -0400

They suck for eye and sun burn protection which is where the patrol cap has an advantage but the booney is much mo better. I was in from 91 until thanksgiving 2013. I'd rather non special status units go back to the PC but leave the beret for the special status units.
For those of you in before 2000, you need to remember that Soldiers couldn't wear the PC correctly so that is a BS reason to get rid of the beret. For those of you in after 2000, you have nothing to compare to.

Response by SSG Andrew Salgat made Aug 11 at 2017 10:40 PM

SSG Andrew Salgat — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:40:33 -0400

The 82nd. PERIOD

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 12:31 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 12:31:41 -0400

How can you beat the WWII "pinks and greens"? But oh no, let's wear a dress uniform all the time!

Response by 1SG Robert Cook made Sep 12 at 2017 5:14 PM

1SG Robert Cook — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:14:12 -0400

Airborne only

Response by MSgt John C. made Sep 15 at 2017 12:32 PM

MSgt John C. — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 12:32:29 -0400

I put other as the heraldry purpose of a distinctive beret uniform has become its standard issue to give appearance of being member of an elite highly trained military organization whether the unit or not certifies 100% members of the units sustains such mission ready qualified and available to immediately deploy standards and capability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgn5OAbr-Rk

http://alaska.net/~jcassidy/pdf_files/U.S.%20Armed%20Forces%20Beret%20History.pdf

PJ Heritage, a tribute

A tribute video depicting the beginnings and early development of the USAF Pararescue specialty. Narration by Tabitha Cassidy and the song Pararescuemen by t...

Response by SGT James Raschke made Sep 18 at 2017 7:08 PM

SGT James Raschke — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 19:08:56 -0400

Airborne troops only.

Response by Sgt Peter Palacios made Sep 26 at 2017 3:26 PM

Sgt Peter Palacios — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:26:05 -0400

Maroon or red was always for artillery , black was for infantry. Leave it alone

Response by SPC John Decker made Sep 27 at 2017 11:17 AM

SPC John Decker — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 11:17:53 -0400

If you earned your wings, are assigned to an airborne unit and are on jump status.

Response by SP6 Bill Wescott made Sep 27 at 2017 12:18 PM

SP6 Bill Wescott — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 12:18:59 -0400

How about anyone who is in an airborne unit and on Jump status?

Response by SPC Nathan Montgomery made Sep 27 at 2017 4:29 PM

SPC Nathan Montgomery — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:29:56 -0400

I served under Shinseki when they took the black beret from the Rangers and gave them to the entire Army. The Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces communities were outraged. Not to mention, that the rank-and-file of the Army that were forced to wear them, didn't like it either. It's my opinion that only those that have served on jump status should be able to wear them. The same goes for Rangers and Special Forces. You earn it, you keep it, even if you go to a non-Airborne / SOF unit. In this PC day and age, everyone wants a participation trophy. If you are non-qual'ed in any special unit and look out-of-place, even more reason to go get qual'ed. Also, when I served in the 82nd the ENTIRE Division had to be Airborne Qualified and on Jump Status. Cooks, Clerks, Arty, and CAB. You didn't go to Division unless you had been to and passed Airborne School first. I hear that this isn't entirely the case anymore, based partly on the high op-tempo of the wars but it's been something of a trend that has since continued. If you can't jump in an Airborne Unit then you really have no purpose in life.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Sep 27 at 2017 11:04 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:04:43 -0400

The only berets should be worn by rangers and green berets no one else

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2017 5:25 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 05:25:50 -0400

My opinion: Anyone in an airborne unit (this includes special ops units), on jump status, who is a graduate of airborne school.

Reality: Anyone in an airborne unit (this includes special ops units)

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Sep 28 at 2017 3:10 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:10:56 -0400

If you really want to ask that question then some would say the following: Only those who are currently serving in those units which were part of the D-Day invasion, since it was an award from the French army to the airborne units that participated in the jump during D-Day. But i would say those who are qualified and are on jump status. The US Army has the ability to staff all airborne units with soldiers who are fully qualified. If you don't wan to go to airborne school, then you don't get to be in such units. Just my opinion since i did serve in the 82nd ABN DIV and the 173rd ABN BDE.

Response by PFC Merle Holland made Sep 29 at 2017 8:14 AM

PFC Merle Holland — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:14:06 -0400

Airborne!

Response by 1SG Donald Sterling made Sep 29 at 2017 10:40 AM

1SG Donald Sterling — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 10:40:58 -0400

No one

Response by Desirre Jeffords made Sep 30 at 2017 1:07 AM

Desirre Jeffords — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 01:07:08 -0400

Privates

Response by CSM Kristen Eck made Sep 30 at 2017 2:39 PM

CSM Kristen Eck — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:39:51 -0400

Response by SP5 Joel McDargh made Sep 30 at 2017 4:18 PM

SP5 Joel McDargh — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 16:18:26 -0400

Like jump wings, the maroon beret has always been meant for airborne troops. However, being assigned to a non-airborne unit and/or not being on jump status does not give one that right to wear the beret. Just my thought and belief.

Response by SSgt Paul Orsino made Oct 4 at 2017 3:51 PM

SSgt Paul Orsino — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:51:45 -0400

Rangers elite

Response by Bobby Heuring made Oct 5 at 2017 12:57 PM

Bobby Heuring — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:57:06 -0400

Rangers

Response by SFC Jeff Roy made Oct 6 at 2017 7:15 PM

SFC Jeff Roy — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 19:15:11 -0400

Airborne

Response by SFC Herve Abrams made May 4 at 2020 12:55 AM

SFC Herve Abrams — Mon, 04 May 2020 00:55:58 -0400

Not for me to say.