Army Standard Headgear

modern military beret worn by the British Royal Tank
Regiment – chosen for practical use with armored vehicles
1943 – A US Army battalion granted honorary membership in the
British Parachute Regiment was authorized to wear British
maroon berets
WWII – Special Forces wore a variety of headgear
1955 – 77th Special Forces adopted “unofficial” wear of a beret of
Canadian Army design in rifle green.
1961 – The green beret officially adopted for the Special Forces
1975 – The black beret officially adopted for the Rangers
1973 – Selected US Armor and ACR units wore a black beret
1979 – CSA banned all “unofficial headgear”
1980 – Airborne organizations officially adopted the maroon beret

black beret was completed in April 2002
All active duty and mobilized reserve component Soldiers have their
second beret
Remainder of reserve components will receive their second beret by
the end of the year
Free issue to all soldiers
Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment item
Retainable and non-recoverable
Sustainment quantities on hand for turn-in of unserviceable berets
Availability in AAFES clothing sales stores for purchase: TBD

initial training courses Commander determines appropriate headgear
Garrison Cap: Initial training courses
Bloused Boots: Only Soldiers authorized to wear tan, maroon, or green berets, or  Soldiers assigned to Air Assault coded positions
 MPs performing MP duties

size doesn’t always equate to beret size Must be tried-on Normally one size larger than patrol cap Must have enough excess material for proper drape
After ensuring proper fit: Tie ribbons into a knot Cut off loose ends Secure ribbon knot inside edge binding at rear of beret.

is one inch above eyebrows and straight across the forehead Flash is centered over left eye Excess material is pulled down to the right side touching, but not exceeding middle of the ear  A dip is formed behind stiffener, and a fold is formed to
the right front, to the right of the flash
• Beret insignia Officers wear rank; GOs: full, medium, or miniature
stars Chaplain’s wear branch Enlisted wear distinctive unit insignia

for smooth, felt-like appearance
Use masking tape to remove fuzz from wool
Wet beret with cold water; do not wet flash; wring out until
slightly damp
Properly fit to head
Using both hands to secure beret, form dip behind flash, pull
excess to right side, form slight fold to right front
Wear until dry, continuing to smooth material over crown,
down to the right, behind the flash, and to the right front

Individual Readiness Policy Division

stiffener for better
shape
Bend prongs of insignia flat against the inside of beret
stiffener
For second and subsequent flashes, attach insignia and
bend prongs against backside, before sewing onto
stiffener

Individual Readiness Policy Division

or soaking can cause shrinkage Shaving wool pills can cut the beret
• Remember - “You break it, you buy it!” Soldiers issued replacement berets resulting from
negligence must reimburse the government

Individual Readiness Policy Division