Boonie Hat - Australian Army Boonie Hat

Australian Army Boonie Hat

There is evidence that the Australian Army had been using wide-brimmed boonie hats, also known as giggle hats or bush hats, during the First and Second World War. However, the headgear was not very common among Australian troops, who mainly used the slouch hats issued to nearly all Australian troops in the field.

The bush hat gained popularity during the Malayan Emergency, in which protection from the searing heat of Malayan tropical conditions and the heavy rain that occurs regularly throughout Malaya proved to be necessary. Alongside the British, the Australian Army started issuing this type of hat, which had a steeper and shorter brim than its earlier counterparts. It was made with the same materials as the hot weather combat uniforms, unlike the slouch hat, which was beginning to take on a more ceremonial role rather than being field gear.

These hats gained even more popularity during the Vietnam War, where they were called 'hats utility, jungle green', although they were colloquially known by the Australians as giggle hats or bush hats. During this conflict, nearly every Australian soldier was issued with the hat, mainly to protect soldiers from the elements. To ensure the latter, the army created several regulations: the hat was not allowed to be modified or cut whatsoever, and it had to be worn when outdoors at all times. The hat had also served the purpose of breaking up the recognizable outline of the soldier's head. It was made with cotton twill, and was issued in olive drab, the standard colour of Australian combat uniforms at the time.

Current giggle hats are issued in Auscam and Desert Auscam. They continue to be heavily used by the Australian Defence Forces, and are issued to nearly every person serving in the ADF.