Berets to Become Standard Issue

Black beret to be standard issue for all soldiers, Army says

Associated Press
Oct. 17, 2000 16:08


WASHINGTON - In a symbolic fashion statement, the chief of the Army said today that the beret - for decades the distinctive headgear of elite Army units - will become standard issue for all soldiers.

Soldiers who now wear the fold-up "overseas" cap, the saucer-like "service" cap, or the baseball-style "battle dress uniform" cap will instead wear a black beret. Helmets, of course, will still be worn in combat.

Army chief of staff Gen. Eric Shinseki said in a surprise announcement that the change will take effect next June 14, the Army's birthday.

"When we wear the black beret it will say that we, the soldiers of the world's best army, are committed to making ourselves even better," Shinseki said in a speech to the annual convention of the Association of the United States Army, a booster organization. He said the beret would be a "symbol of unity."

Aides to Shinseki said they expected some grumbling, particularly among Army Rangers who already wear black berets.

Emmett Hiltibrand, a retired Ranger and Vietnam veteran who is president of the 75th Ranger Regiment Association, said in a telephone interview from Columbus, Ga., that he was appalled by Shinseki's decision.

"It's going to look silly," Hiltibrand said, and will erode some of the distinction of being a Ranger.

"The beret is a symbol of excellence," he said. "It is not to be worn by everybody, every Tom, Dick and Harry."

On the other hand, Col. Vince Ogilvie, a Pentagon public affairs officer who previously served as a member of the 82nd Airborne, the paratroops who wear maroon berets, cheered the move.

"I personally like the beret," he said. "From my point of view, it's a great idea. It really looks great with the uniform." He added that he understood that Rangers would take a different point of view.

Shinseki said introducing the black beret as standard headgear for soldiers will symbolize the new-look Army. He said he got the idea last week when he officiated at a change-of-command ceremony for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, whose soldiers include the so-called Green Berets who specialize in guerrilla warfare, cover action, infiltration behind enemy lines and sometimes training foreign forces.

"As I stood looking at those (soldiers), I was reminded of the special significance that the beret has come to symbolize for the United States Army," Shinseki said. "It is time for the entire Army to accept the challenge of excellence that has so long been a hallmark of our special operations and airborne units."

Army paratroops will continue to wear their maroon berets and Army rangers already wear black berets.

Shinseki portrayed his announcement as fitting a broader plan for transforming the Army, still burdened by Cold War-era equipment, attitudes and practices, into a more high-tech, adaptable and unified organization ready to confront the diverse security challenges of the 21st century.

Shinseki, who took over the top Army post in July 1999, said he is preparing to "make our case" for an increase in the size of the Army, which is authorized to have 480,000 soldiers on active duty.

The Army chief did not say how big an increase he expected to push for, but 40,000 has been mentioned by some.

Shinseki said that in order to relieve stress on the force he was doing away with weekend work for soldiers and arranging for four-day weekends in connection with all federal holidays. He ordered strict limits on the number of cases in which units are asked to make short-notice deployments that take them away from home. He also is seeking ways to make school transfers easier for soldiers' children.

Just another example of how Clinton hates the military. Putting everybody in little French hats is a disgrace. (Before anyone jumps on me, I am kidding.)

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