By Det.1 /444th MPAD
June 14th marked the Army's birthday
and
the official donning
of the new black beret. While most soldiers in the Delaware Army
National Guard received instruction when they received their first headgear issue, the correct wear
and care still remains a question for many soldiers. In order to learn the truth about the "dos" and "don'ts" for wear and care of the black beret, the Pentagon held "Sergeant's Time" training a few months ago.
"When the chief of staff makes a decision, it's not time to start debating," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley told attendees. He also stated, according to the Pentagon, that learning how to correctly wear the service's upcoming standard headgear is the most important concern now.
Beret liners
The new black berets will not have liners compared to those made before them. "The Army figured if everyone was going to cut them out, to not just put them in," she said.
Female wear
"Females may not pack hair into the beret," in accordance with Army regulation 670-1. Female soldiers will have to adjust their hair style to the beret, and not the beret to the hair style normally worn, Messman said.
Care and maintenance
As for the maintenance aspects of it, Messman said many of these care methods used by other beret wearers handed down over the years are not recommended by the manufacturer and can actually damage the beret because of its wool material.
For example, one of the so-called care methods discussed was soaking the beret in warm water which could actually shrink it, according to Messman.
Soldiers that care for their beret in any manner not authorized will not be reimbursed or reissued a new one, but instead will be replaced at the soldier's expense, Messman's class noted.
Other key points made were:
- Soldiers should have been issued or will be issued their first beret by June drill with the Army flash sewn on
- A second beret is scheduled to be issued in October
- The beret will be available for sale at military clothing stores in January 2002
- No black berets will be worn at Basic Training, Officer Basic Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Officer Candidate School, ROTC, and the United States Military Academy
- Uniform policy on the black beret can be found in Hot Topics of the May issue of Soldiers magazine
Information obtained from: Army Link