The Beret

[Chaplain4me]

Well I thought I'd post a few thoughts on the beret. You are welcomed to disagree.

I think the thing is usless. This could be that in my state they use the PC. However, here we enjoy this bliss of the beret.

1) I think it's a fashion acessory, basically that it's non functional

2) The logic of a "more professional" head gear, makes little sense to me.

o We have uniforms with hook and latch and boots that can't be shined

3) That joker is super hot in the sun

*I just thought I would gripe some. I wear it proudly!
**Yes I never spellcheck

[HR NCO]

Preaching to the Choir...

[RobD]

They had to do it.....how else could we possibly be confused with the Dutch........

[kswat07]

I h a t e the beret. Pointless head gear.

[PFC Lowe]

One thing that also drives me nuts about it (even that it brings the suckage) is the lack of respect people take in it. I don't expect it to lay totally fitted to your head, but some people look like they threw it in the air and caught it on their head and left it as is. An inch above the eyebrows? Most people wear it on one eyebrow and like 3 inches above the other.

[bdshipley]

I have not shipped to bt yet but personally I cannot wait to wear it. Again, this speaking from someone who hasn't worn it out in the sun!

[7011USMC]

I have not shipped to bt yet but personally I cannot wait to wear it. Again, this speaking from someone who hasn't worn it out in the sun!

Wear that beret proudly and neatly because back in the day to wear a beret it meant something. It meant you were apart of the elite that the Army had to offer ie: Abn, Rgr, or SF.

I liken it to little league....you even get a trophy for being in last place. Don't want to people to be left out or heaven forbid have the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

I think General Shinseki thought it would boost morale and esprit de corps. It will take more than a beret to do that.

[o13starsnstripes]

At least your not wearing a Blue Beret

[AmPat]

I like it. I am at Ft Rucker, arguably one of the Army's hotter posts, and I don't think it's much hotter to wear than a PC. You gotta shave it down to nothin'. I think it looks sharp and militaryesque when worn and shaped properly. Berets have a long tradition in militaries around the world in utility uniforms.

I just like the way it looks I guess.

[California Major]

Fashion over function. Bad idea.

The Aussies wear shorts and a hat with a brim. Now that's thinking.

[HR NCO]

Fashion over function. Bad idea.

The Aussies wear shorts and a hat with a brim. Now that's thinking.

Now why would we need that?? The beret keeps the sun out our eyes so nicely

[show_stopper999]

I have yet to even be issued a beret or actually put it officially. I bought my own becuase its on my packing list for phase 1 OCS which I leave for in 6 days, but nothing issued.

From what I hear, I need to shower with it on, shape it to my head and shave it as well. Any tips on getting all that done?

[SteveLord]

From what I hear, I need to shower with it on, shape it to my head and shave it as well. Any tips on getting all that done?

All this for a piece of headgear.....

[0844]

It stuffs in a cargo pocket quite nicely...that's a plus.

[show_stopper999]

Well my dad is a vet and he still has his maroon beret. Every now and then he puts it on to see how it fits and tell stories. So I know how they are supposed to look on a soldier. I just want to make sure that when I do wear it, it looks good, and not like a french pastry chef. I dont think I'm even authorized to wear it yet, but I feel sick inside when I see someone wearing it half arsed.

[HR NCO]

From what I hear, I need to shower with it on

I dont know if I need to, but I wear mine in the shower every day

[7011USMC]

I dont know if I need to, but I wear mine in the shower every day

Roger that high speed!

[PFC Lowe]

Shave it with either a 1/2 blade razor

[Mr_Loki]

I used a straight razor to shave my beret.

[Chaplain4me]

You ruined a Chaplain Candidate's thread.

I will take this up with you when I get to VA. HOOAH.

******

A guy in our class used a grill lighter to burn the fuzz off.

His beret is stinking wooo.

******

Like I said, I'm a man that is pragmatic, and the beret just ain't functioning for me.

If we are talking history, then let's go back to those civil war hat's cause those were cool.

Or those old school, whatcha call it's brown, and looks like a paper hat.

The beret is a British tanker thing......wooo hooo that's exciting. wow.

[PFC Lowe]

Or those old school, whatcha call it's brown, and looks like a paper hat.
wow.

The slang term for those isn't allowed on the forums

[M.Bradley]

Soo glad our state only uses the PC sir.

Personally, I vote for cowboy hats as the new headgear. They're functional, AND hilarious.

[M-T]

I have to admit I like the beret. It does look good when worn well and part of what got me through annoying times in BCT was knowing I'd get to wear it at the end. For functional headgear I'd choose a boonie over the PC anyday, although my PC ended up shrinking too much and it cuts off bloodflow now when I wear it

If you look into the history of it, there were a lot of units wearing berets before they scaled it back to Rangers, Airborne and SF. It's a decent uniform piece for garrison, and popular.

Also I really think the c-cap looks a little antiquated.

[Chaplain4me]

???? Maybe one day it will grow on me. I have plenty of time to contemplate it.

Here is another thing I've noticed.

While working in Enrollment Management, I noticed that while doing recruiting fairs that the Marines Recruiters always wore dress uniforms to events.

This impressed me, eventhough I'm heavily biased for the Army. (LANDPOWER BABY!)

By wearing their dress uniforms it really set them apart from particularly the Airforce, who showed up in coveralls, and the Army in ACUs. The Navy as I remeber it always wore their dress too as I remember, but we're not going there.

It communicated the professional ethos of the Corps.

??? just an observation.

[7011USMC]

Very good observation popeye! That would be "how to conduct business 101". The Corps doesn't sell education, bonus', or MOS choice. It sells Commitment, Honor, Integrity, and Elitism. Nothing more nothing less.

Chappy it is similar too....“Many are called but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14