Beret (U.S. Forces)
The use of berets in the United States Armed Forces dates back to World War II . Since that time, the armed forces of the US armed forces have handled the wearing of berets differently. Since 2001, the beret has been the ordered military headgear in the Army for the service suit , after it was previously limited to special troops such as special forces or parachute troops ( English Airborne Troops ). In the Air Force , the beret is still only worn by soldiers with special uses, while theSpace Force , Navy , Marines and Coast Guard no berets carry.
army
Paratroopers of the 509th US Paratrooper Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division were the first in the American military to use this form of military headgear. The burgundy berets came from the stocks of the British colleagues with whom they fought together.
By unofficially wearing a green beret, the Special Forces received their nickname Green Berets, which is still valid today . President John F. Kennedy made this tradition of the Union official in 1961.
From the 1970s onwards, wearing a beret became increasingly popular, especially in the army. The units orientated themselves to alliance partners from direct experience. For example, the air cavalry used black designs, similar to those used by the British armored forces, while soldiers stationed in Germany preferred a black beret with a red and white rondel as a badge. From this time on, other regiments also took over the maroon beret of the 509th regiment. The 101st Airborne Division introduced blue versions. The Army Staff officially allowed the Rangers to wear black versions in 1975 .
In 1979, the army command reduced the wearing of berets to the parachute troops and special forces, because in the years before more and more associations introduced their own berets and no systematic could be recognized. In 2001 the then Chief of Staff of the Army Eric K. Shinseki wanted to introduce the black beret of the United States Army Rangers as general headgear for the Army. There was strong resistance from former members of the Rangers. Only when the rangers got a new sand-colored beret in 2002 was the dispute settled. Seti 2011, the beret may only be worn with a service suit. The field cap must be worn with the field suit . The commander may approve exceptions on special occasions.
The following beret colors are used in the US Army:
| colour | Branch of service | |
|---|---|---|
| olive green | 1st Special Forces Command (Green Barets) | |
| Sand colors | United States Army Rangers | |
| Bordeaux red | Parachute force | |
| brown | Security Force Assistance Command | |
| black | all other soldiers | |
air force
In the Air Force , the unregulated use of the beret began to find its way from the 1970s. Increasingly motivated by the customs of the army, the liaison officers used in combat put on blue berets. From 1979, the members of the tactical air control were allowed to wear blue berets. In 1984 two liaison officers submitted a complete concept for a beret and its badge, which was authorized the following year for all members of tactical air control.
| colour | Branch of service | |
|---|---|---|
| black | Tactical Air Control Party | |
| Bordeaux red | Parachute rescue personnel and Combat Rescue Officer | |
| red | Combat Controller and Special Tactics Officer | |
| Gray | Special reconnaissance | |
| Dark blue | Security force, instructor at the United States Air Force Academy | |
| green | SERE instructor | |
| brown | Combat Aviation Advisors | |
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c d Rod Powers: The Beret in US Military Uniform History. In: www.thebalancecareers.com. The Balance Careers, June 27, 2019, accessed June 25, 2020 .
- ↑ Cursha Pierce-Lunderman: Bye-bye, beret: Switch to patrol cap brings mixed feelings. In: www.army.mil. United States Army, June 23, 2011, accessed June 25, 2020 .