Ranger caps

[BreakSilence]

So the Air Force phased out the BDU's, and that means that BDU covers are getting harder and harder to find.  My Wing has always used BDU caps.  Now, however, we will be switching over to ball caps due to the rising cost of BDU caps.  I'm totally understand the reasoning, but I don't like the look of most ball caps with a Battle Dress Uniform.  It just doesn't look right.  I have seen a "ranger" cap though, and I don't think I'd mind it that much with the BDU's.  Can anyone tell me how to ranger a ball cap?  Also, if you can give me any other miscellaneous information about ranger caps, that'd be great.

Thanks.

[IceNine]

Unfortunately what looks "right" to you is of little concern.

Unless "ranger caps" are authorized and they aren't you can't wear them.

[a2capt]

Starch and knuckles... I think they look hoaky, myself. Quite the opposite, however - I think the ball cap looks worse, so for the ball cap, it's an improvement.

Yes, finding the stuff is getting challenging.

[C/SrA]

In my squadron we are supposed to have what I think you are referring to as 'ranger' caps. I had trouble making my hat 'ranger', but another cadet helped me.

[Eeyore]

Yeah, like IceNine said, "Ranger Rolls" are not authorized in CAP.

[Hawk200]

So the Air Force phased out the BDU's, and that means that BDU covers are getting harder and harder to find.  My Wing has always used BDU caps.  Now, however, we will be switching over to ball caps due to the rising cost of BDU caps.  I'm totally understand the reasoning, but I don't like the look of most ball caps with a Battle Dress Uniform.  It just doesn't look right.  I have seen a "ranger" cap though, and I don't think I'd mind it that much with the BDU's.  Can anyone tell me how to ranger a ball cap?  Also, if you can give me any other miscellaneous information about ranger caps, that'd be great.

Thanks.
Sam Ramil
Hawaii Wing

The standard BDU hat is, at times, referred to as a "patrol cap". Army Rangers wear either a standard Army patrol cap, or a beret.

[Krapenhoeffer]

Very simply put, if it isn't in 39-1, you can't wear it. Frankly, I think ranger rolls make one look stupid and "tacti-kewl" unless one actually has a US Army Ranger Tab on. I find the ball caps useful, and they look professional. I never wear one for ES work, because I'll be wearing my helmet, so there.

[Nathan]

Most of the guys I knew who starched their ranger rolls into place ended up with these waterproof bowls on their head that made them look like bird baths when it rained. Even from a practical standpoint, it just really doesn't make much sense.

[MIKE]

$11 from USCav: http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=5435&TabID=1&cs=1  If anyone buys one, please let us know if it still looks like the one pictured with the eyelets and everything.

I miss my BDU cap.  Wear a ball cap with ODUs, and aside from the metal insignia hurting my brain... I hate that I can't stow it neatly in my left cargo pocket, so I end up carrying it around inside.  Never liked ball caps with BDUs, don't mind the look with the ODU though.

[Gung Ho]

Just my 2 cents but we are not playing baseball so we should not wear a ball cap.

[Ford73Diesel]

Wear a ball cap with ODUs, and aside from the metal insignia hurting my brain...

Take off the "frogs" and bend the metal prongs inward with pliers so it is flush with the cap.  (let me know if this does not make sense). You won't even know it's there. The only downside is the insignia is one time use, but if you ever get hit with something in the head you will be glad you did.

[MIKE]

Thought about that, but one of my reasons for wearing metal is so I can remove or change out the insignia easier.  Versus having multiple caps.  I put some duct tape on the frogs for a bit of comfort.  Otherwise I would have bought one of these. Still might, but after election season:

[cap235629]

I never wear one for ES work, because I'll be wearing my helmet, so there.

Oh crap I can see the Kevlar now!

[Майор Хаткевич]

I never wear one for ES work, because I'll be wearing my helmet, so there.

I'm hoping he means a "hardhat", as those who wear the mil helmets around here are ridiculed to no end.

Oh crap I can see the Kevlar now!

[MSgt Van]

Just my 2 cents but we are not playing baseball so we should not wear a ball cap.

But we're not in the military so we should stop trying to roll our caps into a bowl to make it look like we're a strike force ready for deployment.  "Gee, nice CAP tattoo ya got there. Is that the triangle thingy?"

[Eclipse]

we should stop trying to roll our caps into a bowl to make it look like we're a strike force ready for deployment.

Seriously, how does making a ball cap look like it got stuck in the dryer "help"?

[snpotratz]

Very simply put, if it isn't in 39-1, you can't wear it.

Not entirely true.  The Montana Wing Commander is also the commander of the SAR school.  He got NHQ to authorize an orange ball cap in place of the camo cap.  We are no longer authorized to wear the camo cap at all per a letter from NHQ applicable only to our wing.  Another case of "this is ALWAYS the rule...except..."

Steven Potratz
Bozeman Composite Squadron
Montana Wing
Personnel and AE Officer

[vmstan]

Thought about that, but one of my reasons for wearing metal is so I can remove or change out the insignia easier.  Versus having multiple caps.  I put some duct tape on the frogs for a bit of comfort.  Otherwise I would have bought one of these. Still might, but after election season:

I would much prefer something like that VS a BDU hat. They just look funky on my head.

[MSgt Van]

Very simply put, if it isn't in 39-1, you can't wear it.

"this is ALWAYS the rule...except..."

I guess that makes us uniformly different.

[Майор Хаткевич]

We are no longer authorized to wear the camo cap at all per a letter from NHQ applicable only to our wing. 

Got a cite for that? I've never heard of that, but if it's possible, maybe PAWG  can turn in the BDUs and get Orange Jumpsuits?