The Black Beret

Wearing of the Beret

Effective 14 June 2001, the first Army birthday in the new millennium, the black beret will become standard wear in The Army — Active and Reserve Components. Sergeant Major of the Army Tilley will lead the effort to implement guidelines, including indoctrination standards that all soldiers will meet before they are authorized to wear the beret. Special operations and airborne units will retain their distinctive berets.

Description

The beret is a wool-knitted outer shell, lined or unlined, with a leather sweatband. An adjusting ribbon is threaded through the binding. The beret is equipped with a stiffener on the left front. Except for color, all classes of berets are the same.

How Worn

The headband (edge binding) is worn straight across the forehead, 1 inch above the eyebrow with the top of the beret draped over the right ear with the stiffener positioned over the left eye. The unit flash is centered above the left eye. The ends of the adjusting ribbon will be cut off and the ribbon knot secured inside the edge binding at the back of the beret. Berets will be worn only with the service uniforms and with the utility uniforms in a garrison environment.