Wikipedia

Black beret

Theblack beretis a colour ofberet,a type of headgear. It is commonly worn by paramilitaries and militaries around the world, particularly armored forces such as theBritish Army'sRoyal Tank Regiment(RTR), theRoyal Canadian Armoured Corps(RCAC), andRoyal Australian Armoured Corps(RAAC) and theIndian Army Armoured Corps.

Field MarshalMontgomerywearing his black beret

Notable non-armored military units to wear the black beret include the non-military police and non-special forces elements of theIrish Defence Forces,MOD Guard Service,Russian Naval Infantry(and formerlySoviet) andRussianOMONunits, the majority of theUnited States Army,andUnited States Air Force(USAF)Tactical Air Control Parties(TACPs).

History

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The usage of black berets by militaries dates toWorld War I.During the war, theFrench Army'sChasseurs Alpinswore large black berets as aforage cap.In 1918, near the end of the war,British ArmyofficersHugh EllesandJ. F. C. Fullerdecided to outfit members of theRoyal Tank Corpswith black berets as the colour was least likely to show oil stains. The decision was approved by KingGeorge Von 5 March 1924, and black berets were used exclusively within theBritish Armed Forcesas the headdress of the Royal Tank Corps during theinterwar periodandWorld War II.When uniforms were issued to theRoyal Observer Corps(ROC), there was a surplus ofRoyal Armoured Corpsblack berets which were given to the ROC.[citation needed]

Usage by country

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Non-state actors

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Che Guevarawearing his iconic black beret

One of the most famous photographs ofChe Guevarataken byAlberto Kordawas of him wearing a black beret with a gold star.Fidel Castroalso wore a black beret during therevolutionagainst the Batista government of Cuba.[1]In the 1960s several activist groups adopted the beret.

Argentina

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TheArgentine Navy'sBatallón de Infantería de Marina 5(5th Marine Battalion), ofFalklands WarMount Tumbledownfame (1982), wears a black beret. This was introduced by (then) Commander Manuel Tomé around 1977, and the beret was awarded on completion of a Cold Weather and Mountain Warfare Course. Today, all units of the Southern Marine Force of theArgentine Marine Corpswear black berets with unit badges.

Australia

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In the Australian Army, All RAAC Units (Royal Australian Armoured Corps), wear the black beret.

Austria

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In the AustrianBundesheerall armored units (Armored Battalions, Mechanized Infantry Battalions, Artillery Battalions and Mechanized Headquarter Battalions), wear the black beret.

Azerbaijan

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Unit of underwater offence of Azerbaijani Navy with black beret

In theAzerbaijaniArmed Forcesarmored units of underwater offence of Azerbaijani Navy wear the black beret.

Bangladesh

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In theBangladesh Army,all units of the Armoured, Cavalry and Lancer Corps wear black berets.the Rapid Action Battalion of Bangladesh Police also uses black beret.

Belgium

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In theBelgian Army,the black beret is worn by cavalry and engineer units.

Brazil

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TheBrazilianarmour and mechanized troops also wear the black beret, as well as the special forces unit of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro,Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais(BOPE).

In the Brazilian auxiliary military forces of the Polícia Militar (Military Police), specially inMinas Geraisstate, officers sometimes wears black berets as official parts of patrol gear.

Canada

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In theCanadian Armed Forces,black berets are worn byRoyal Canadian Armoured Corpssoldiers and by all sailors (except military police andspecial operationssailors).

Chile

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In theChilean Army,the black beret is worn by the paras and the special forces.

Croatia

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In theCroatian Armyblack berets are worn by military police units,1st Mechanized Battalionand the Cadet Battalion.

Cuba

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Special unit of the police.[5]

Cyprus

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In theCypriot National Guard,the black beret is exclusively given to soldiers of the Armoured Forces and to Officers of the same branch after graduating from the Greek Armoured Forces officers' school. The school is considered the toughest academy of the Greek Army, bar special forces, and therefore the black beret is considered an honour for the bearer.

Czech Republic

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In theCzech Army,military policemen wear black berets.

Denmark

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In theDanish Army,the black beret was originally used by all combat regiments, but now it is worn by theJutland Dragoons,Guard Hussars,Royal Life Guard,Army Combat and Fire Support Center,Garnisonskommandant Vordingborg and1st Danish Artillery Battalion.[6]

Estonia

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Since 2013 the professional soldiers of theEstonian Navywear the black berets.[7]

Finland

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Only members of theArmored Brigadewear black berets.

Germany

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In theGerman Army,an oversized black beret was introduced during theNational Socialist erafortankcrews, to be worn over the crash helmet; however this was dropped in favour of a blackgarrison capduringWorld War II.Today the black beret (of conventional size) is worn by the Armoured Corps and the Armoured Reconnaissance Corps.

Greece

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In theGreek Army,black berets are worn by the Panzer (Armored Vehicles) branch, tracing back to the tradition of the original cavalry units.

India

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In theIndian Army,all Cavalry and Armoured Corps,National Security Guards& Border Security Force wear black berets.

Indonesia

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In theIndonesian Army,black beret is worn by the members ofCavalry Corps(except cavalry battalions underKostradstrategic reserve command which wearing dark green beret universal to all of its soldiers).

In theIndonesian Navy,members of theSubmarine Corpswear black berets.

Iraq

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In the pre-2003Iraqi Army,the black beret was the most commonly worn headgear and continues to be worn by both army and police personnel of the post-2003 Iraqi Army.

Ireland

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In theIrish Armythe majority of the members of the Permanent Defence Forces, specifically the infantry, wear black berets except for certain combat support units such as MPs, Cavalry etc.

Israel

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In theIsrael Defense Forces,soldiers serving in theArmor Corpswear black berets.

Italy

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In theItalian Armymost units wear a black beret. Exceptions are: Paratroopers,Alpini,Army Aviation Corps (AVES),LagunariandBersaglieri.

Luxembourg

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The black beret is worn by all soldiers in theLuxembourg Army.

Lithuania

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The black beret is worn by Juozas Vitkus Engineer battalion soldiers in theLithuanian Armed Forces.

Malaysia

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In theMalaysian Army,the members of the Royal Armor Corps wear the black berets.

Namibia

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In theNamibian Army,the black beret is worn by members fromArtillery Brigade,Engineer Regiment,Signal Regiment,Logistic Support Battalion,Air Defence Brigade,theNamibian Air ForceandNamibian Navyalso wear the black beret

Nigeria

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In theNigerian Air Force,the black beret is worn by Nigerian airforce regiment and Navy personnel

Netherlands

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In theDutch Army,the black beret is worn by cavalry battalions.

New Zealand

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In theNew Zealand Police,members of theArmed Offenders Squadwore the black beret.

Norway

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TheNorwegian ArmyPanserbataljonen(armoured) and other cavalry units wear black berets.

Philippines

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In thePhilippine Army,the members of the1st Scout Ranger Regiment,Presidential Security Groupand Tank Officers from thePhilippine Army Light Armor Division

In thePhilippine Air Force,members of theSpecial Operations Wingwears black berets.

In thePhilippine National Police,members of theSpecial Action Forcewears black berets.

In theMetropolitan Manila Development Authority,members of theTraffic Enforcerswears black berets.

Pakistan

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In thePakistan Army,the Armoured Corps wears black berets as well as special forces.

Poland

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In thePolish Armed Forces,the black berets are worn by armored units ofPolish Army,and byPolish Navy.

Portugal

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In thePortuguese Army,the black beret is worn by thecavalry branch,including the armoured troops and themilitary police.The black beret is also worn by several Portuguese civil forces, like theBomb disposalunit of thePublic Security Police,the Prison Guard Corps and the Civil Defense.

Russia

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Both theRussian Naval InfantryandOMONspecial police wears the black beret with its dress and field uniforms, when not wearing helmets.

Serbia

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Members of theSerbian military policewear black berets.

Singapore

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The black beret is worn by theArmourformation of theSingapore Armed Forces(SAF).

Spain

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Traditionally in theSpanish Armed Forcesblack berets were used to denote paratroopers units. The custom originating in theSpanish Air Force,although it is now used also by other non-paratroopers units in the Army and the Air Force.

In theSpanish Army,the black beret is worn by the Mechanized Brigades and theParachutist Brigade BRIPAC.

In theSpanish Air Force,the black beret is worn by the paratroopers units, the Air Deployment Support Squads EADA and SEADA, as well as by Air Force Police Units. The special operations unitEZAPACused to wear the black beret until 1997 that was change to aGreen Beret,to denote their Special Forces specialization.

Somalia

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Major GeneralOmar Haji Masalle,an Armoured battalion commander wearing his black beret

In theSomali Army,members of theArmoured Battalionsand theArmy's rearwear a black beret, inherited from British military tradition.

In theSomali Navy,the black beret is the standard issue headgear.

South Africa

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In theSouth African Army,members of theSouth African Armour Corps,the South African Intelligence Corps,Defence Intelligence Divisionand the Technical Service Corps wear the black beret, each with their respective corps badge.

Members of theSouth African NavyMaritime Reaction Squadronalso wear the black beret.

South Korea

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In theSouth Korean army,black berets are worn bySouth Korean army special operations forces.

Sri Lanka

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In theSri Lankan Army,theArmoured Corps,Mechanized Infantryand theSpecial Forceswear black berets.

In theSri Lankan Navy,the black beret is worn by the Members of the eliteSpecial Boat Squadron.

Sweden

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In theSwedish Army,all armour and mechanized units wear black berets.

Switzerland

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In theSwiss Army,black berets are worn by Tank Branch, Pioneers, Rescue Troops, Communication and Command Troops, high command, Tank Grenadiers, Chaplains, armed forces legal service and other troops.

Turkey

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In theTurkish Land Forces,the black berets are worn by armor personnel.

United Kingdom

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An officer from theMOD Guard Service's Dog Sectionpatrolling

In the United Kingdom'sMinistry of DefencetheMinistry of Defence Guard Servicedon a very dark blue beret.

United States

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

U.S. Air Force

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Air Force TACP officer wearing black beret (2019)

In 1979, the black beret was authorized for wear by enlisted personnel in theTactical Air Control Party(TACP). In 1984, two airmen from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina submitted the currentflashand badge design. It was approved for all TACP airmen in 1985.[8]TACP specialists (AFSC 1C4X1) are currently the only United States Air Force specialty allowed to wear the coveted black beret as part of their daily duty uniform wear.[9]

U.S. Army

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A US ArmyRanger SchoolClass commander wearing black beret with his Ranger Tab and rank insignia, 1971[10]
A U.S. Army NCO with the11th Armored Cavalry Regimentwearing black beret with Armored Cavalry Oval, DUI, and rank insignia,c.1970s[11]
AUS Army Medical Corpsofficer wearing black female beret with Officer Cap Device,c.1975[12]
An infantryman with1st Cavalry Division,1st Brigade, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry wearing black beret, 1976[13]
An armor officer with theUS Army Armor Schoolwearing black beret with Armor School Instructor Flash and rank insignia, 1976[11]
A soldier from 1st Battalion,23rd Infantry Regimentwearing black beret with Department of the Army Beret Flash and his regiment's DUI,c. 2001

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 female soldiers in 1975.[14]

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

In 1979, theU.S. Army Chief of Staffruled 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 June 14, 2001, the black beret is worn by allUnited States Armytroops unless the soldier is approved to wear a different distinctive beret. The Rangers now weartan berets,alluding to the buckskins worn byRogers' Rangersduring theFrench and Indian War.

The black beret is worn as part of theArmy Service Uniform(ASU), the U.S. Army's dress uniform. It also became the official garrison headgear to be worn with theBattle Dress Uniform(BDUs) in 2001, and from 2005 theArmy Combat Uniform(ACU). The change was implemented by GeneralEric Shinseki,Army Chief of Staff at the time, who stated that it was about promoting "...our values as an institution."[15]From the beginning, the beret was unpopular with soldiers because the headgear required two hands to put it on, provided no shade from the sun (unlike thepatrol cap), had to be shaved and shaped upon acquisition and, as black wool, was hot and uncomfortable in warm weather. When worn improperly, the beret prompted several nicknames for the resulting look, such as "the Cyclops", "the Pirate", or "the Princess."[16]

Despite years of negative feedback, the beret remained part of the ACU until 2011, when incoming Sergeant Major of the ArmyRaymond F. Chandlermade it his first order of business to address the wishes "thousands of soldiers" who wanted the army to end the wear of the beret with the ACU, and the army subsequently did just that.[17][18][19]The black beret remained the headgear for the ASU, but was replaced as the default headgear with the ACU patrol cap.[20]

U.S. Navy

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CNO and COMRIVPATFOR wearing black berets with the River Patrol Force TF-116 patch (1969)
U.S. sailor wearing female-only black beret (d/c 2016)

During theVietnam WarU.S. Navy personnel assigned topatrol boatsand members of Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 1, WESTPAC Division wore theSouth Vietnamese navyblack beret with badge. Unlike the U.S. Navy SEAL teams, the beret was authorized for wear In Country only. 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".[21]

Until October 2016, a black beret was authorized to be worn in the U.S. Navy,[22][23]albeit solely by female sailors of all pay-grades.[24]Female commissioned officers wore the U.S. Navy officer crest on the beret above the left eyebrow, female petty officers and seamen wore the combination cover's device, and female chief petty officers wore their rate insignia instead. The female black beret's usage was discontinued along with the officer's tiara by the navy in 2016 as part of a naval effort to reduce the number of uniform items, make them appear more unisex, and also due to a lack of widespread use.[25]

Ukraine

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A Ukrainian naval infantryman armed with aDragunov sniper rifletakes part inExercise Northern Light '03on the west coast ofScotlandin 2003.

TheUkrainian Marinesformerly wore, and were known as the "Black Berets" until 2018.[26][27]

Venezuela

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In theVenezuelan Army,black berets are of general use except for Paratroopers, Special Forces, Counter-insurgency troops and soldiers stationed inside the Ministry of Defence and Army headquarters.

See also

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Military beretsby color

References

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  1. ^"The Hat".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-21.Retrieved2009-01-16.
  2. ^p.119 Ogbar, Jeffrey Ogbanna GreenBlack Power: Radical Politics and African American Identity2004 JHU Press
  3. ^"Black Berets".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-01-11.Retrieved2009-01-16.
  4. ^Color Corps Drill Manual(PDF).Knights of Columbus. 2018. p. 10.
  5. ^'We felt free': Cubans remain defiant in face of protest crackdown,BBC, 20.08.2021
  6. ^"Nye myndigheder, nye baretmærker og farver".Forsvaret(in Danish). Archived fromthe originalon 2015-11-17.Retrieved2015-11-22.
  7. ^"KAITSEVÄGI VÕTTIS KASUTUSELE BARETID".Digar/Põhjarannik(in Estonian).Retrieved2025-01-06.
  8. ^"The Beret in U.S. Military Uniform History",The Balance Careers, by Rod Powers, updated 27 June 2019, last accessed 7 March 2023
  9. ^"U.S. Military Beret History (Page 2)". Usmilitary.about. 2001-10-17.
  10. ^Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade (ARTB), Graduates, 1971, Class 11-1971,benning.army.mil, dated 1971, last accessed 13 June 2020
  11. ^abUS Army berets - blue, black, green, maroon, tan...,The US Militaria Forum, last accessed 16 October 2020
  12. ^Class A Service and Dress From Uniforms From 1970's-2000;US Army Medical Department, Office of Medical History; last modified 2 July 2009, last accessed 20 May 2020
  13. ^Fort Hood, TX - 1976 - when I was in the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry (Mechanized Infantry) in the First Cavalry Division. A great looking uniform with the black beret - the 1/12 had lots of unit citations too.,US Army photograph hosted on Facebook, curtesy of Quentin Robinson, dated 1976, posted 11 November 2015, last accessed 15 January 2022
  14. ^p.223 Stanton, ShelbyU.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War 1948–19731994 Stackpole Books
  15. ^Defense Leaders Uphold Army's Black Beret Decision (Corrected Copy),by Linda D. Kozaryn, American Forces Press Service, dated 16 March 2001, last accessed 20 November 2021
  16. ^Knopf, Christina M. (2015).The comic art of war: a critical study of military cartoons, 1805/2014, with a guide to artists.Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.ISBN978-0-7864-9835-2.
  17. ^"Army dumps beret as official ACU headgear".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-02-20.
  18. ^Pierce-Lunderman, Cursha (June 23, 2011)."Bye-Bye, Beret: Switch to Patrol Cap Brings Mixed Feelings".U.S. Army.RetrievedMarch 2,2017.
  19. ^Shaughnessy, Larry (June 14, 2011)."Army Backtracks on Black Berets After More than a Decade of Debate".CNN.RetrievedMarch 2,2017.
  20. ^Lopez, C. Todd (June 15, 2011)."ACU Changes Make Velcro Optional, Patrol Cap Default headgear".U.S. Army.RetrievedMarch 2,2017.
  21. ^Cutler, Thomas J.(2000)Brown Water, Black Berets.Naval Institute Press, p. 172.
  22. ^Uniform regulationsUS NavyArchived2017-04-06 at theWayback Machine
  23. ^"U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, Article 3501.3, Beret (Females)".buperscd.technology.navy.mil.Archived fromthe originalon 21 May 2007.Retrieved11 January2022.
  24. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).timemilitary.files.wordpress.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 31 August 2011.Retrieved11 January2022.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ^"NAVADMIN 208/15".September 2015.RetrievedMarch 4,2016.
  26. ^"Acknowledging defeat, Ukraine pulls troops from Crimea".Reuters.2014-03-24.Retrieved2022-07-30.
  27. ^"Порошенко урочисто змінив колір беретів морпіхів і встановив День морської піхоти".2018-05-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-05-23.Retrieved2022-07-30.
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