BDU Cover

[Jaison009]

When you say "rust colored" are you talking about the color used for the Multinational Forces and Observers Sinai Orange berets? I believe those who earned it (like my dad) during their assignment in Egypt might have issues with that.

One cadet I know wants to change the orange covers of PAWG to orange or rust colored berets.  I wouldn't like that because first of all they are somewhat uncomfortable from what I hear and can be a hassle. I also get the idea that in the service, berets are worn by the more elite. I don't think we're elite. And I like the orange baseball hats. What are your thoughts?

[vento]

[SARDOC]

I wear the BBDU and enjoy my Blue Boonie when I'm in the field.

[Eclipse]

Honestly, if I had a choice between grandma's gardening hat (above) and the Crêpe Suzhat, I'll take the gardening hat.

At least it's functional and appropriate in the field, something the crêpe is not.

Or we could all just wear the BDU hat and quit trying to be something we're not.

Because when you pretend to be something you're not, you show everyone exactly what you are...

[Jaison009]

 :clap: :clap: :clap:

Honestly, if I had a choice between grandma's gardening hat (above) and the Crêpe Suzhat, I'll take the gardening hat.

At least it's functional and appropriate in the field, something the crêpe is not.

Or we could all just wear the BDU hat and quit trying to be something we're not.

Because when you pretend to be something you're not, you show everyone exactly what you are...

[SARDOC]

I wear the boonie just solely for it's functionality.  Not because of anything it may imply.  It's a much better All Weather Hat than the BDU cap.

[ColonelJack]

Honestly, if I had a choice between grandma's gardening hat (above) and the Crêpe Suzhat, I'll take the gardening hat.

At least it's functional and appropriate in the field, something the crêpe is not.

Or we could all just wear the BDU hat and quit trying to be something we're not.

Because when you pretend to be something you're not, you show everyone exactly what you are...

^ +1000!  This.  Exactly.

Well said, Eclipse.

Jack

[gruntmp]

Why not a nice Blue Campaign Hat???

Just kidding!!

I've worn all of the above in a variety of situations! Personally, I like the Campaign Hat, but, readily admit that it is probably because I am a history nut and my Great Grandfather wore one while chasing Pancho Villa!

If CAP wants to emphasize its SAR role and recognize that its personnel are going to operate in the field without helmets, then the only logical hat is the boonie! It provides all around coverage to protect the users neck and ears and provide a brim for the eyes. Having spent more than a little while in the woods, plains and desert, I always reach for the boonie whenever I can get away with wearing it! Big Army and the Air Force both hate the boonie because it is not pretty enough! Too bad!

True story! During most of my military career, I took my boonie, PC (that's the standard BDU/DCU/ACU/ABU cap for those of us old enough to have conducted patrols in soft caps, hence Patrol Cap or PC), and beret everywhere I was sent. Most of the time I wore the PC. It easily fits in a pocket whenever I went to chow or had to wear the awesome brain bucket (Steel Pot, Fritz Helmet or ACH in my time!). You can wear a headset with it if you have to monitor comms. Rarely will anyone challenge you on wearing it rather than the beret. The beret was worn only when I was ordered to wear it. Both Army and Air Force commanders have stuck their folks out in the elements in berets with little concern for the health issues! They suck!!!

As for ball caps, they lack the practicality of both the boonie and the PC. They don't provide the protection of the boonie and don't roll into a pocket well. On the other hand, you can get them in wool or in mesh, and, they can be custom made to distinguish a group.

Sitting on my book shelf at the office is a nice World War 2 era helmet liner that was painted a nice glossy blue with staff sergeant stripes hand painted to the front! I think a CAP Prop sticker could cover those stripes! It would be perfect!

[Storm Chaser]

I'm not crazy about "covers", but I do like my BDU cap.

[Sapper168]

http://www.amazon.com/Enzyme-Regular-Army-Caps-W35S45B/dp/B000FGU86U/ref=pd_sim_a_4

[Shuman 14]

There's no point to this.

I know. Please bear with me. I just curios about peoples' opinions. 

Eclipse doesn't like opinions... especially those that differ with his own. 

[Shuman 14]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

Lad, as someone who has worn a beret, everyday, for many years, let me tell you they suck.

Hot in the summer, cold in the winter, offer no rain or sun protection... and... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct.

Forget them, they're nothing but trouble.

[Shuman 14]

Pulsar and Shuman.

Student and teacher.



Flyer

[Shuman 14]

The most practical piece of headgear ever designed and issued.

[abdsp51]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

[RogueLeader]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

Yes you do. It takes a lot of time to do it right.

[abdsp51]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

Yes you do. It takes a lot of time to do it right.

No, you don't I wore a beret for 12 years and never ever had to wet it or anything outside of removing excess lint and trimming the stiffner.

[FlyTiger77]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

I am not sure what your experience level is with berets, but their care and feeding is both time- and labor-intensive. (And I am not one to gratuitously agree with Mr. Shuman, my fellow Army field grade officer.)

[abdsp51]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

I am not sure what your experience level is with berets, but their care and feeding is both time- and labor-intensive. (And I am not one to gratuitously agree with Mr. Shuman, my fellow Army field grade officer.)

I wore a beret for fours years in JROTC and then for 12 as Security Forces in the AF.  So I have plenty of experience with berets.  They are not as labor intensive and do not require a large load of shaving, wetting, drying etc to look sharp. 

[FlyTiger77]

We think they look cool and like we are an "elite" group of people.

... to get that "elite" look you want take HOURS of shaving, soaking, and forming to look half-way correct...

No you don't not one bit.

I am not sure what your experience level is with berets, but their care and feeding is both time- and labor-intensive. (And I am not one to gratuitously agree with Mr. Shuman, my fellow Army field grade officer.)

I wore a bere for fours years in JROTC and then for 12 as Security Forces in the AF.  So I have plenty of experience with berets.  They are not that labor intensive and do not require a large load of shaving, wetting, drying etc.

The USAF ones must be of a much different quality than the ones the Army buys then (which really isn't surprising).