Posted on Dec 11, 2019
SSG Squad Leader
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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
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CH (COL) Fr. Richard Piontkowski
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I have no idea why and I retired six years ago as a O6. I word the soft cap on the FOB when not in helmet or PTs and the boonie outside of the COB or FOB when the helmet was not needed. It gave more sun protection to the ears and back of net. Besides, if you've ever seen Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood, it should be required headgear in the field when kevlar is not needed.
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SFC Jeffrey Port
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When I was recalled to Active duty to train and supervise soldiers how to build a suspension bridge. I wore my old khaki sun helmet from back in the early 80's to protect me because of burns scars that sill hurt when exposed to direct sunlight.. A 2LT, who was not actually a part of our team, but worked at BDE, freaked out an told me I couldn't wear it without valid reason, so I went to the Senor Medical Officer, a Major and he gave me a limited duty profile outlining condition I could wear it. The 2LT went ape over my profile, said it was not valid and he went to see the Major and told him he was not authorized to give me a profile to wear it. The Major eat him alive, threw him out and gave me an expanded profile that allowed me to wear it at all times as necessary, and gave his contact if I had any issues! lol.
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Ask a dermatologist why they should be worn.
HN Chris Robinette
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Love the Boonie Cap and I was Navy corpsman attached to Marines!!
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LTC Vice Commander
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It is mass stupidity starting from one egotistical senior leader.
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SPC Mike MacDonald
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We got a new Major General in the 1st Infantry Division in 1969 in Vietnam. When I reported to him he asked "what is that on your head?" I said "a ball cap Sir". He told me to throw it away, he was issuing boonie hats to soldiers "cause we're in a war zone". That was MG Albert Milloy.
Mike MacDonald, President, 28th Inf. Reg. Assn.
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SGT Stephen Jaffe
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I was in the Army 1965-1968. We had to wear the ball caps. Some guys got decent ones, and others like me had the kind that looked like a parrot's beak. Looked kind of crappy to me, but they didn't ask me if I liked them or not, so I wore them.
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SSG Douglas Espinosa
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4b928a18
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SSG Douglas Espinosa
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I know when I was in the 82nd everyone in the Brigade wore it in the Field and while we were deployed. I liked the boonie cap
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LTC Retired
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Because...Army. It's pretty sad to think about all of the things that are issued for soldier comfort that aren't used because a hard-ass SGM/1SG/etc is too Army to allow it. They like to cite AR 670-1 like Pharisees spouting scripture, but miss the part where it says commanders set uniform policy. So, if you have dumb uniform policies, it's on the commander and not NCOs. The commander may be either too dense to understand that soldiers don't have to dress for misery while they experience it, or too lazy - leaving it up to the NCO chain. If the CO says "We're wearing boonie hats.", then we're wearing boonie hats. The senior NCO doesn't have to like it, but he is not in COMMAND. As a former NCO, I fully support turning over complete execution of orders to NCOs. That includes implementation of COMMAND uniform policy. Of course, some commanders set stupid policies, too...but that's because they can.
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SSG Douglas Espinosa
SSG Douglas Espinosa
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I remember when I was in the 82nd it was the culture there. I got looked at like I was crazy when I wore my gore tex when not in formation etc when I PCS'd there from Germany. Later on I too ate the Kool Aid (limited).
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