Soldiers Prefer Patrol Caps to Black Berets
After eight years wearing the Army Black Beret some soldiers are calling for a return to the Army Patrol Cap. The Pacific Stars and Stripes is reporting that soldiers are dissatisfied with the Black Beret saying it isn't functional. It does not keep the sun out of your eyes.
Comments were made at the recent 8th Army Family Action Plan conference. A group of delegates recommended that the Army Beret be dropped in favor of the lighter Patrol Cap. Delegates said Patrol Caps are lighter, block the sun, are water proof and absorb sweat better.
Soldiers other complaints about the Black Beret are:
-Black Beret doesn't match the ACU
-Has to be shaved, washed and dried and doesn't easily hold its shape
-Is twice as costly as a Patrol Cap
-No standard way to wear the Beret.
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This is quite understandable. Most of my career was in the 82d AIRBORNE Division (All-American, All the Way.) We wore and the division continues to wear a Beret which is part of the uniform for our units. We felt, and rightly so, that we had earned the right to wear that Maroon Beret, not just by attending Airborne School, but mainly because we lived the life of a Paratrooper. The introduction of the Black Beret, at the insistance of General(s) Shinseki and Keane, partly to make Soldiers "Feel better about themselves"(I am not kidding about this) and to foster the same E'sprit de Corps that the Marines have. I agree that the US Army, to whom I gave my life and dedication should strive to attain the Attitude, Spirit, E'sprit de Corps that is found only in Units like the USMC, the Rangers and my beloved 82d AIRBORNE. These attributes can only be gained through training, enforced standards, and the replacing of civilian attitudes with a military mindset. NO HAT, No Pin, badge or patch, No Uniform addition can replace in the mind of the Soldier that ethic which makes a Soldier, not just a guy in a uniform.
The Patrol cap is functional, cooler in summer, warmer in winter and multi-purpose. The Beret should be relegated to Dress Uniforms, and given back to the elite units that originally had them.
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY
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