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
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 351

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Never noticed anyone having a problem with them when we were out in the field.
Boonie hats in field works well as camo, as it breaks up the outline of head and face
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I think that the real issue is that during training or a deployment, it shouldn’t matter what headgear you wear unless it’s a safety issue- plain and simple. I’m not saying to whip out a ball cap, but if there’s no regulatory issue with boonie caps, politely tell the naysayers to bugger off. I wasn’t a fan of the boonie but in Iraq, it was totally practical. Hell, there’s still folks who can’t or refuse to wear their PCs and berets properly.
Not sure why these old posts keep popping up but I enjoy reading other folks’ replies. 1SG Healy’s response is pure gold.
Not sure why these old posts keep popping up but I enjoy reading other folks’ replies. 1SG Healy’s response is pure gold.
For the same reason that the Cap, Cold Weather. Local Commands want it worn one way and so can never be worn as it was designed to be worn sometime around the Korean War.
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I wore the boonie hat when deployed in '72. Seemed to work! When I deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan in '06 ... I just didn't like the way it looked and didn't wear it. It certainly had its place and I d never say anything to a troop that was wearing it correctly and in-country ... wear it any way you want it!
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I wore one in Desert Storm, it was the main headgear issued. Well, technically, we changed into them on the flight over from the STORM. We had to look like the media had been portraying us over there. Truth is, they didn’t have enough uniforms to equip us, then when they did, they didn’t want us to “dirty” them up before the public saw us. If I was to give an answer to your question, I would be surmising. I really, in my humble opinion believe how Hollywood has used them in many of their fantasy creations, it’s put a bad taste in some peoples minds. Also, when I did see them on people, it was like me or two people and not the whole unit. Kinda skylights a person. I still have a problem with berets. They were reserved for “special” units, and not everyone ( myself included) is “special”. Just like the combat patch and the CIB. Just in my humble opinion of the military caving and giving everyone a trophy
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I am a Vietnam veteran and an Air Force retiree. We in the Air Force didn't wear the boonie hat in Vietnam, but I have one and I love it for civilian wear. When I was in 'Nam a lot of our Army brethren--enlisted--chose the boonie for obvious reasons: It fits in a pocket, looks pretty good and is very practical in a bush environment. If I were under fire I think I would rather wear a helmet but I would probably be too busy taking cover to pay much attention. Don't know why the Army doesn't love it too. I guess they like the beret better.
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1 reason is back when the bdus were still around. And we had to press them, starch them, polish boots. The army wanted a professional appearance. Crisp, clean look. The boonie doesn't have that. While we changed uniforms that were more field oriented not having to press them or shine boots. The army wanted to keep the professional mentality so the boonie was shunned still.
Just 1 perspective from an old soldier.
Just 1 perspective from an old soldier.
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I suppose it’s a Solider thing. It is a Sun hat! Marines wear them in the field and in country. They are also totally beyond awesome for making your personal Ghillie cap. I highly doubt an experienced combat leader would have issues with you wearing it. But then again, I am speaking from a Marine’s perspective.
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Don't have an answer but would like to make a few observations: In the field it's much easier to hear when wearing a boonie cap vs. a steel pot especially in the jungle; a boonie cap is lighter than a steel pot and it also absorbs sweat. Understand that the modern helmet is lighter than the steel pot but still heavier than a boonie cap.
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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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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.
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.
Mike MacDonald, President, 28th Inf. Reg. Assn.
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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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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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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
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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