All Under One Hat
Story & Photos by SPC Charles Ames - Posted Aug, 2001
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Most of the active duty Army began wearing the new and controversial black beret last June. Due to a shortage of berets, most reserve forces will have to wait a few more months to receive theirs, but there are a few exceptions. The Guardsmen of Bravo Company, 14th Engineers, on Fort Lewis are part of a 'multi-component' battalion, made up of active duty and National Guard soldiers. They were the first Washington Army National Guardsmen to receive their berets.
On June 14th, on the occasion of the 226th birthday of the United States Army, American soldiers around the world took off their familiar camouflage pattern caps, and donned their new black berets. The Army so seldom changes its appearance that when it does, it really makes the news. So it is with this newest facet of Army visibility.
Amidst shortfalls in recruiting, problems with retention and an operational tempo that, for many is all but unbearable, the Army is scrambling for ways to improve the lives of its soldiers. New, modern barracks buildings are springing up on nearly every fort in America. Pay and benefits are being increased. New post facilities are being built to cater to soldiers with different tastes in recreation - the new skateboard park at Fort Lewis is an example.
Last year, in an effort to further improve the Army, General Eric Shinseki, the Chief-of-Staff of the Army, announced his controversial decision to adopt the black beret - long held as the exclusive headgear of the elite Army Rangers - as the new standard, garrison headgear for Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Although many were quick to point out that the black beret has been worn by many military organizations over the past hundred years or more, few will argue that it was made world famous by the Rangers.
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As the inevitability of the Chief's decision began to settle in, amidst protest marches on Washington DC, and congressional hearings on who would supply the new berets, the Rangers once again "led the way" and demonstrated the ingenuity and resourcefulness that has made them famous. As the Army adopts a new look, so to the Rangers have changed their headgear to a tan beret. In this win-win decision, there isn't much chance of confusing a Ranger with the rest of the Army, and the rest of the Army benefits from the esprit that comes with the beret.
While the majority of the Army National Guard will have to wait until the end of the year (perhaps longer) to doff the camouflage cap and don the new headgear, due to shortfalls in availability, there are a few notable exceptions. Here in Washington, that exception is Bravo Company, 14th Engineer Battalion.
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Bravo Company is manned by National Guardsmen, but the rest of the battalion is made up of active duty soldiers stationed on Fort Lewis. Rather than reporting to a separate armory for their training, as most Guardsmen do, these soldiers train on Fort Lewis, in the same facilities used by their active duty counterparts.
In order to maintain uniformity in the battalion, the Guardsmen of Bravo 14th Engineers picked up the new headgear right along with the rest of the active duty Army.
Apart from its controversial beginnings, the beret has other more mundane problems. It doesn't keep the sun off your face. It's hot in the summer, and soaks up rain like a sponge. After just a few minutes of wear your hair is matted to your head. It's even difficult to put on (correctly) especially when compared to the PC it replaces, and when it is removed, the grove on your forehead takes 10 minutes to disappear!
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So everybody hates it... right? Wrong. Bravo's Executive Officer, 1LT Brett Jackson says of the beret; Typically you are used to seeing the more elite units with them on. I feel that its good for camaraderie, its good for spirit, and its good to let the soldiers know that they are elite as well. I think its good for morale and hopefully it will be a good retention tool for the Army. 1LT Jackson relates that the change was not only welcome, it was anticipated.
"I think as we got closer and closer to the donning day, the troops began to realize that its actually going to be a good change for the Army", said Jackson. "The Army has needed a change. I think this is it. As I look around here, it seems the troops are happy about it; it brings a whole new spirit to the Army.
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PFC Steven Potvin, a Guardsman from Centralia commented, It sets a standard and a certain look for the Army. Its going to unify everybody. I think it sets a hardcore impression for the rest of the world. Ive been looking forward to it, but I think its going to take a little while to get used to it. Its something that people are going to want to get involved with.
The 14th Engineer's Battalion Commander, LTC Lewis Setliff, sees it as a move that unites the Army, but more importantly, unites his active duty companies with his National Guard company. The beret helps unify the battalion. It helps Bravo Company become part of the team, part of the battalion, part of the Engineer Regiment. We can not be successful in our mission without Bravo Company.
As Bravos Supply Sergeant, SSG Marc Brackett issued the berets to his company. He had the chance to hear some of the first impressions, good and bad, but focuses on the big picture.
I can understand the philosophy behind it - to recruit and unify the Army as one, as a whole, rather than singling out special units for it. Its a good step forward to unifying the entire Army and bringing it all together.
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The new headgear will be worn in garrison while wearing the BDU or Class "A" or "B" uniforms. Berets will not be worn by recruits, AIT students, OCS candidates, WOC candidates, or cadets in ROTC or at the academies. Also the beret cannot be worn with the dress blue or PT uniform, nor will berets be worn in the field.
According to State Command Sergeant Major Mike Reynolds, the berets should be completely fielded by January 2002.
Click here
for more on Bravo, 14th Engineers
and the 'multi-component' unit concept
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