The U S Army Beret.....I have a problem with it..?

Question

I am an ex-Green Beret and really took pride in wearing it and most of all earning it.....just can't stomach the Army giving everyone a Beret....first answer will be you are making a mountain out of a mole hill...I will bet money on that.....unless you earned one you can't make that your answer......I just don't like it...the Beret was special and now absolutely every soldier gets to wear one.....I went thru Ranger...Airborne and Special Forces Training to earn it....it is just no right!!!............5th Special Forces (CCC) Vietnam 70-71

Answer 1

I completely %1000 percent agree with you. My Dad was a Ranger and Special Forces. I myself was Airborne and when I found out that old Gen. Shinseki approved the allowance for all soldiers to wear Beret's made me wanna puke. The Black Beret used to be something special because you had to be a Ranger to wear it. now they have that awful Tan Beret. It's not right to someone as yourself or my Dad that earned the right to wear a Beret.

Answer 2

I agree with you. It was a symbol. Just another way the Army has changed, and not for the best. My hubby hates the beret. It doesn't keep the sun out of your eyes (and he's out in it often). Depending on your MOS, you have to change headgear all the time. Wear soft cap in the bay and change to beret for formation and so on. It should have been left alone.

Then came ACU's. Yes, they're easier care, but to me, they're ugly. I don't like looking at all the Velcro myself. So far, I don't see where it's any cheaper. Next is the Class A uniform. They're changing it to be the Dress Blues. Now we won't have a really formal uniform and we'll be spending a whole lot more on everything that goes on them. I still think the old khaki was an awesome looking uniform. Somewhere in there came the new PT's too. I still haven't seen where they're cost effective for the soldier. There's twice as many things to buy. And don't dry it because it sure will shrink and that's NOT on high heat!! Oh well, such is military life.

Your point is right though. The beret wasn't one of the best moves the Army made. Let the soldiers who've earned them have them back. My respect to you and them.

Answer 3

Just because the whole Army is using the Beret now, does not mean that all Berets are the same.. I believe it's just for uniform standards.. The colors of the beret make them special, Red, Green, anything but black.. The whole Army gets black, but only Special Forces got colors.. But a friend of mine is a Ranger and he told me that all new Army SF are to wear the black berets now, only people that became SF before the change are alowed to wear colored Berets, but I have not verified this information, but I believe it because I've seen a number of Rangers around and a lot of the lower ranking ones are wearing black berets.. I'm still pretty new to the Army, just got out of the Navy last year, I'm hoping to become a Ranger myself as soon as I get a little faster at running.. But even if SF and Green Beret soldiers don't look special, everyone has to admit, they are special..

Answer 4

I totally agree but..... dumb decisions come from this building that the government totally screwed up. It has 5 sides instead of 4 like real buildings. If they can't even get the building right, how could you expect them to make any other rational decision. The people who made the decision to go with the black beret for all troops are probably "soldiers" and i use the term loosely who could never have earned one the right way. But I hear they are great with POWERPOINT and have all earned there expert Brown Nose tab and make great coffee. They should have given all POGS, REMFs and Fobbits the tan beret.

Answer 5

As a former marine I agree. The Green Beret and others worn by elite units was more than just a fashion statement. They represented something that had to be earned through hard work and dedication that few have experienced. By adopting berets for everybody they stripped away that significance just to be more europeon in style. I have heard current army members complain that they don't even like them. I believe that all the elite units as well as regular units in agreement should launch a campaign to restore the beret to it's special place.

Answer 6

If you delve historically into the Army, you will know that the beret wasnt first used as just a SOCOM headgear. All soldiers wore berets, followed by the garrison cap.

Besides, if you need a peice of headgear to make you feel special, then you have problems. Not everyone in the Army is given a tab for their shouolder, that is what the effort goes into.

Answer 7

They are given a black beret though - not green or maroon for airborne.

I know my hubby wasn't thrilled either as he's a paratrooper and earned his maroon beret.

Try to remember - now it's the color of the headgear that shows different units.

And instead of having some in berets, some in ball cap type things, etc the army might have wanted to make it more uniform.

Answer 8

I agree and thought exactly the same thing the day I first read about that; that it really took the prestige away from it since everyone in the Army could now wear it. But, it was a recruiting device to make the average Joe join and be instantly cool (the Army of One campaign, I believe).

Answer 9

I whole heartedly agree with you. It isn't right for something that, I too treat with a great amount of respect such as the Green Berets, I don't think everyone should get to wear it, I think it should be something reserved for those that earn it. Like my Grandfathers silver star for serving and being wounded in WWII.

Thank you for serving, and as a sailor we too have our special pins and "rituals" that we do and such, that only people who gain certain quals get.

Answer 10

13 weeks of pure hell, little food , no sleep and teamwork got us through. A black beret was the the prize. Only 1 in 5 made it through. RANGERS lead the way!! now any fat lazy supply clerk can wear one. Yes I am pissed....But I still own the night.