Army: Beret out for most use

[BE Mike]

A trooper in dress greens bloused in high polished Corcorans and wearing a glider patch on his overseas cap was really the best. I don't get it that so many soldiers have so much fruit salad that they look like Audey Murphy, until I saw that most of the ribbons are below the National Defense Medal, which is given for drawing a breath in time of conflict.

 

[johnsonl]

As a former Marine, I felt bad for my Army buddies who had earned their berets, even though we Leathernecks made a lot of fun of that headgear. Just didn't seem right to give everyone a special reward for doing nothing. All the soldiers I knew were disdainful of the beret and felt sheepish wearing it because they knew of the pride that Special Forces had.

 

[29aholic]

I always thought it was BS that every unit got the beret. The beret was made the official headgear of the SF by JFK just before he was assasinated. If it still holds true there is always a fresh one on his tomb. When other units (sorry Rangers) started wearing them it took the significance away.

 

[Maximumbob54]

This thread makes me think of those stupid piss cutter Garrison caps. Can't stand them. Worse though was the jerk who decided the Navy should wear white cotton pants.

 

[CelticSire]

nowadays there's a medal for completing Basic Training ?!

There is no medal for completion of basic training. There is the Army Service Ribbon whose colors represent the completion of all phases of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training.

When other units (sorry Rangers) started wearing them it took the significance away.

Ranger units were locally authorized to wear berets in the 1950s, long before SF. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment was authorized the maroon beret in 1943. Special Forces green berets were copied from prior units, not the other way around.

 

[Fishslayer]

There is no medal for completion of basic training.

Don't know how it is now but we got the National Defense Medal when we graduated from boot camp in '73.

 

[CelticSire]

Don't know how it is now but we got the National Defense Medal when we graduated from boot camp in '73.

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who serves on active duty during a time of declared emergency. It is NOT awarded for graduation of basic training. If you happen to graduate DURING a time the NDSM is awarded, then you get it upon graduation, but is NOT awarded for graduating.

In the years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, it is authorized only for the following time periods:

June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War
January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War
August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War
September 11, 2001 to a date to be announced for service during the War on Terrorism

If you only served between August 15, 1974 and August 1, 1990, for example, you would not be authorized the NDSM.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Guys, I was far more worried at the USN boot camp handing out the "blues card" that I kept seeing newbs with in hand on the boat. And despite the snopes.com: Military Stress Cards article and the bit they say about guys trying to hold them up to get out of certain efforts, we had them trying to use them the same way on the boat. I was in shock. The Chiefs acted like they didn't know what to do at first. It was like no one know what to make of them or had any training. They were phased out (thank goodness) pretty fast but who comes up with really any of the brilliant ideas that even a scrub should know are just garbage???

 

[29aholic]

There is no medal for completion of basic training. There is the Army Service Ribbon whose colors represent the completion of all phases of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training.



Ranger units were locally authorized to wear berets in the 1950s, long before SF. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment was authorized the maroon beret in 1943. Special Forces green berets were copied from prior units, not the other way around.

I stand corrected...memory aint what is used to be

 

[Bill_inBouse]

beret? for everyone... thought it was a joke when the Army said everyone could wear one. Still think it's a joke except for "special" forces" those guys can wear anything they want IMHO. At the time I think it was just some politically correct paper pushing pencil neck in the Pentagon trying to make all soldiers think and look alike. No insult intended towards Army cooks or desk jockies...but they are not in the same class as special forces soldiers.
Yes I'm a vet so I feel I can say that

 

[Fishslayer]

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who serves on active duty during a time of declared emergency. It is NOT awarded for graduation of basic training. If you happen to graduate DURING a time the NDSM is awarded, then you get it upon graduation, but is NOT awarded for graduating.

In the years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, it is authorized only for the following time periods:

June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War
January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War
August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War
September 11, 2001 to a date to be announced for service during the War on Terrorism

If you only served between August 15, 1974 and August 1, 1990, for example, you would not be authorized the NDSM.

Well... yeah... that was just a kinda poke at some humor. As you say, it's essentially issued for signing the papers if the timing's right.

 

[Muley Gil]

I was issued a blue beret while working in Kosovo. Hated the thing. I only wore it when I was forced to.

Dixie cups.

I had a friend who was a Navy ROTC midshipman in the late '60s. He wore a dixie cup with a blue band around it. Once, while on liberty, he was trying to talk to a girl who told him stay away from her. He asked, "Why?" and it seems that the enlisted sailors told the girls that the guys that wore the covers with the blue band had VD!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nightowl]

I was never in the military. But, those black berets with the side hanging down like a broken eared puppy were ugly and did nothing to enhance the appearance of our soldiers. Besides, it was absolutely stupid to try to buy them from China or what ever foreign country they were originally getting them from. We should be able to ourfit our soldiers with American made products!!

 

[Fredo Batali]

Gotta say I was really proud the day I was isssued my Green Beret. Wasn't much on the practical side. No shade for your eyes, kept the top of one ear warm (if you were lucky). Knowing I had earned the right to wear it and join the ranks of some of the finest soldiers in the world made the shortcomings of the headgear worth it. Too "French"?? It's not white! As far as being a "Green Beret" I've never had the opportunity to be a hat??? I did however spend 17 years on an "A" Team in three diffetent groups as a Special Forces Soldier (Medic, 91B3S to
300F1 to 18 Delta

De Oppresso Liber

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The practice of "Berets for Everybody" was introduced 10 years ago by then Chief of Staff of the Army Eric Shinseki to deal with the serious morale problems cause by 8 years of Clintonism. For example, Shinseki was alarmed that the retention rate for junior officers had plunged and was way below replacement rates, people I knew who served on Active Duty said the Army had become very chicken---- and PC and "feminized".
I maintain we have enough military traditions of our own that we do not need to adopt anyone else's. And if you have good leaders you do not need eyewash such as fancy uniforms to maintain morale and ensure retention, if you do not have good leaders eyewash doesn't help.

 

[Ron H.]

Discuss Anything - Politics, News, Cars, Movies, Music, TV, Computers and More

Says that, apart from elite units, the patrol cap will replace the beret for most Army non-dress wear.

Comments?

I hope the USAF keeps the blue cop berets. Also, the red ones, etc. Glad to see Army Spcl. Forces, Rangers, and paratroops will retain berets.

Sir, IMHO this is a good decision that took longer than it should have. A beret is not a practical hat for a soldier. However, an elite connotation makes all manner of silly things desirable. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[george minze]

I miss the kakee colored tropical's that were issued to Marines during the 50's. they were phased out due to budget reduction just prior to our interdiction in SE Asia.....Marines were never allowed to wear utilities off base....Of course in those days utilities were starched and those rough out boots were dyed. and coke bottled to a spit shine, not practical but it was the Marine way...Vietnam changed a lot of the traditional field or combat uniforms. for obvious reasons. However the Marines seemed, at least to me, more traditional and MUCH more strict than other branches.....The Marine green has stayed the same for years.....Well the Marines did do away with the cordovan garrison belt and the leather cordovan colored shoes due to procurement costs....even that was sad.. New Marines don't have to learn how to spit shine shoes any more........Progress ?????? I have heard the DI's don't touch cruits any more,,,?/What's this world coming to..

 

[imjin138]

Ok, so I went on the net and looked at the new class A and Class B Army uniform. I am at a loss for words. I still prefer the Khakis.

I understand times change and more modern minds than mine make these decisions.

On my way back from Chicago the other day I drove by Great Lakes Naval Training Center and saw some men walking around in the Navy version of the BDU's. Still not sure what to make of them.

 

[Rule 303]

I never found the blanket hat useful for anything out in the field. And the color didn't blend in well.

I like the Jungle Hat with the brim cut back to about two inches.

Rule 303

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

It was always a sore point among SF types that many of the support personnel were authorized to wear the beret albeit with the "candy stripe" to signify that they were not "S" qualified. On one board an SF type complained that when he last visited Fort Bragg he saw a female soldier-and "leg" to boot-wearing the beret with the full flash.
Yes, Navy "BDUs" in "Navy Camouflage". Now what is the point of that?