Black Beret - United States Military Use

United States Military Use

In the United States military, the beret was unofficially worn by a variety of special operations units during and following World War II. In the spring of 1951, the 10th and 11th Ranger Companies wore black berets during their training at Camp Carson, Colorado before their deployment to Japan.

During the Vietnam war the US Navy assigned to Patrol Boats wore the South Vietnamese Navy black beret with badge. Unit tradition had the back ribbon cut into two pennants after first contact with the enemy with the ends of the pennant notched in a "V" to signify he had made an enemy "kill".

In 1973, permission was granted to local commanders to encourage distinctive, morale-enhancing uniform items and the black beret was adopted by Armor and Armored Cavalry units in the United States.

A black beret was authorized for wear by women soldiers in 1975.

On January 30, 1975, it was officially assigned as part of the newly created battalions of United States Army Rangers who had worn it unofficially during the Vietnam War.

In 1979, the Army Chief of Staff ruled that the black beret was restricted to just Ranger and Airborne units (the latter receiving their distinctive maroon berets on November 28, 1980). However, since November 28, 2001, the black beret is worn by all United States Army troops unless the soldier is approved to wear a different distinctive beret. The Rangers now wear tan berets in reverence to the buckskins worn by Rogers Rangers during the French and Indian War.

The berets are worn as part of the Army Service Uniform, the U.S. Army's garrison dress uniform. From 2001 to 2011, it was also worn with the Army Combat Uniform, which was unpopular with soldiers. It was replaced as the default headgear with the ACU patrol cap.