Posted on Dec 11, 2019
Why is the boonie cap so demonized in the army?
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Seriously I wanna know. Mainly from you senior leadership and your mentality when it comes to this specific headgear, or even as to why it's frowned upon in the field when it's clearly authorized to be worn in the field.
Also if you are just going to bash me or make smart ass remarks because I'm asking this question, then don't even leave a comment. Thanks
Also if you are just going to bash me or make smart ass remarks because I'm asking this question, then don't even leave a comment. Thanks
DA Pam 670-1
Uniforms
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 351
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I had a Co Cmdr in Korea that wanted to have the soldiers wear the pile cap in garrison. I argued that it would be oily, dirty and ineffective when needed if worn when we had the cap with the drop down ear covers. Of course he was the Co and we wore that dam pile cap.
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SSG Cliff Richardson
No offense but most CSM/SGM, and 1sg's are correctness nuts, and they try sometimes their damnest to run a combat zone like a garrison situation, and it doesn't work. If it's cold wear the damn pile cap, oily or not, it has a purpose. Almost all the stations that I was at the CSM set the stage, and through fear all the 1sg's followed, common sense not included, sleeves don't go up untill a certain date frame, usually covered by AR670-1 weather, and temp be damned. Most soldiers tollerate the bullshit they put out, and the whole Army does'nt function like basic training. We were only allowed in 1991 Gulf war to wear the boonie cap in garrison, in KKMC during the 2 days we went through Health and Welfare/ contraband checks in an isolated area, before loading the AC back to Germany. When in Germany on busses back to Friedburg, besides the hurry up and wait shit that went on forever, we changed from K-pots - to the boonie cap at 4 times over 32 Kilometers, the new acting CSM who was my former 1sg kept changing this via prc-77's to all 1sg's, the Bn CDR finally made the cmd decision to go with the boonie cap. This is just one example of the continued bullshit CSM's and 1sg's come up when there is nothing esle to worry about. Total indecisivness, and over all ineptitude!
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SGM Charles Twardzicki
You sound so angry. We had the cap that had the pull-down ear flaps for use in garrison, the pile cap is actually a helmet liner. When you wear the pile cap when not needed, and it becomes unserviceable, will your patrol cap fit under the helmet? I must have been a real butt head because I went off when I saw old worn out clothing and footgear in deployment duffle bags. Dirty sleeping bags are temperature degraded when dirty and oily. NCO's responsibilities include the welfare of the soldiers. I agree with the sleeves, and taking the BDU jacket off when on detail. Been gone over 20, so does what I say or think matter anymore?
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I do not feel the need to bash anyone, I believe it is a good question, and knowing our government... probably the correct answer as well. However... I've not only seen it being worn, I've worn it myself. Yup, even know it was a no, no. The top brass isn't always right, and I'm sure you know that as well as I do, and 10's of thousands if not 100's of thousands of other's both now and those who walked before us.
I hope that was okay, not trying to be a smart ass sir, just my opinion, and yes, i know opinions are like ___ Holes, and everybody's got one, but it is also a well known fact that they are worn anyways.
I hope that was okay, not trying to be a smart ass sir, just my opinion, and yes, i know opinions are like ___ Holes, and everybody's got one, but it is also a well known fact that they are worn anyways.
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Not going to dispute or argue. Just point to the obvious reason which is...its called a Boonie cap because it was designed to be worn in environment and not as a common type headgear. Comfort aside, the military has myriad of items designed and designated to be used/worn in limited circumstances. Should not come as a surprise and I do not ascribe to the notion that leaders could not find a way to determine its proper wear.
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The only answer I have for this is that a lot of First Sergeants hate the fact that their Soldiers wear this hat incorrectly.
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Getting into the country in '67, we were issued boonie hats. and they damn sure helped in the heat in the jungle and those of us flight crew guys who worked on our ships in the hot unshaded flight lines. Later we got a new Co. commander and he told us we were no longer to wear them and issued us flimsy baseball caps that weren't worth didley squat in the hot sun.
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For the record, I've never met anyone between E1-E7, All Warrants and O1-O3 who didn't love it. Those CDRs and 1SGs and CSMs who railed against it to the best of my knowledge did so because they were supporting the directives of higher HQ. It has always been my favorite, otherwise ...
I.
HAVE.
NO.
F***ING.
IDEA.
I just wish the Army's brim was as wider like the USMCs.
I.
HAVE.
NO.
F***ING.
IDEA.
I just wish the Army's brim was as wider like the USMCs.
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SGT (Join to see)
As if this year isn’t crazy enough already, now you know of someone E1-E7 who didn’t love the boonie cap.
The cons far outweighed the pros. And any benefit it did provide could easily be attained through other means. They’re uncomfortable, and the floppy bill can drive you insane (particularly If there’s any type of wind).
Seriously. Just not a fan, at all.
The cons far outweighed the pros. And any benefit it did provide could easily be attained through other means. They’re uncomfortable, and the floppy bill can drive you insane (particularly If there’s any type of wind).
Seriously. Just not a fan, at all.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - I stand by my statement and will file your position in the Statistical Outlier folder.
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A Boonie cap is great-on patrol, or for fatigue duty, work parties, etc. It's potential downfall is that other than in fabric, it eludes presenting a uniform appearance from soldier to soldier, unless you do ridiculous things to it, like starching it to make it look like a bush hat, etc. By intent, it looks somewhat shapeless and perceptually "sloppy." It is what it is. So leadership either needs to embrace it as situationally desirable, and then determine when and what wear can be allowed.
Best, JonInWA
Best, JonInWA
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Bought my first boonie in the px at 29 palms, first trip there, it was green, not cammo, and the command did not give a crap, as long as I did my job
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When I was deployed ('03-'04, '06-'07 both Iraq) we were required to wear the boonie when not in full battle rattle. From the day we left Ft. Bragg until the day we got back. Boonie or brain bucket was what we were authorized
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