A few historical facts to clarify anyones assumptions.
First off, the whole SF support troops wearing the green beret was changed quicker than a monkey gets fucked and it was mandated that they wear maroon berets if they were not 18 series qualified as the green beret is reserved for those who are 18 series.
Second, the green beret is a Presidental award presented by president Kennedy to SF. None of the other berets used by US forces can say the same, it is just authorized organizational headgear. The green beret was un officially adopted by those in the regiment based on our regimental history beginnings, it was choosen as a symbol of distinction for those who were affiliated with the then start up unit and was typically only worn in the field, as it was not authorized at the time. However, some took to wearing it anyways in garrison and it became the defacto norm headgear,albeit unauthorized. That is until President Kennedy met with Gen Yaborough and commented on the Green beret where apon a conversation ensued and it later was identified as a presidental award and the official headgear for those who were Special Forces qualifed. See synopsis of that meeting here:
JFK Meets General Yarborough 48 Years Ago | Photography by John Michael
Lastly: there was a point in time where those who were in student status going through the Q course were authorized to wear the green beret prior to their being awarded the 18 series MOS and the green beret. It caused some confusion around base and some had issue with it. As a means of differentiating students from those who had been awarded the 18 series MOS and the green beret they came up with what was known as the "candy stripe" flash, which was a 2"x4"rectangle of the group flash the student was potentially going to be assigned to if he graduated. It was sewn to the beret and worn along with the SF crest. It was quite ridiculous looking but upon graduation and award of the 18 series MOS,the student could put the full sized flash on his beret. This practice was done away with because it meant that the students, who wern't 18 series yet, were wearing a presidential award reserved only for those who hold the 18 series MOS. Since that time, students attending the Q course are only allowed to wear the green beret once they have graduated the Q course and participate in the donning of the green beret ceremony at graduation as they have officially earned it at that point. Unlike the other berets used in the US military, the Green Beret is not issued, it is earned.
First, I'd like to point out the reason for wearing a beret in the first place was correct.
My statement regarding the "flap" it caused in SF is true is it not? Not an assumption. Also, I wouldn't call 4-5 years, "quicker than a monkey gets fucked".
The mandate became real, IIRC, in 1980. In 1983, when I went to Scuba school, everyone was wearing them the way you describe. Again, in 1984, when we went up there (Ft. Bragg) for training, it was that way.
My statement, in no way demeans what the Green Beret means. As an award, not issued to someone who doesn't earn it. My understanding of how it went away, was to award the Special Forces Tab. Also, BTW, if you leave an SF unit, you were not authorized to wear the green beret as part of your headgear. As an 18 series now, you can. I think it's a good thing that they went back to "Only those qualified wear it". No matter what color beret it is.
To the point of wearing your beret after you leave an SF unit, it's a simple matter of a pen stroke for a commander to have you transferred if they don't like you being 'non-uniform'.
Also, to various degrees, the black beret {now tan} was earned every day you stay in a Ranger BN. At least I know I earned mine every day I was there. I know there were people in the unit that many felt did not, i.e. cooks, PAC personnel, S-4, etc. But they did their jobs and I never didn't have what I needed because of them. Uniformity back then was everything. Us Rangers all looked the same no matter what. If there was a hard frost before Oct. 1, you can believe we stood there in formation freezing our asses off with sleeves rolled up. Or, sweating our asses off after Oct, 1 with sleeves rolled down.
One of the things we need to remember is when you go on to the next thing in life, what you did will stay with you. You know what you did. You don't have to prove it everyday to someone with a virtual salad bar on his uniform. You served, you did your best. Some do not. But, you aren't going to change that. If you push too hard on people, most of whom have no idea what you've been through, they take it as 'in your face'. I'm not thinking that's the personna the Army or even SF wants to push. I have taken tons of crap from people in aviation because I was never aviation in the military. I simply have to remind myself, I served, I served well, I went above and beyond the call whenever I could, I made it into the Rangers, stayed four years, Graduated Ranger School and Graduated SFUWO in that time.
I also don't take for granted what todays soldiers are doing. When I was in I spent four whole "whoo-hoo" days in combat. Some guys today have seen seven to eight even nine years of combat. That is a lot of sacrifice for our country and no one, IMO, needs to get put down for what headgear they wear.
So back to the real reason we are talking here, money spent/wasted on new camo patterns. I'll say that there should be a pool of camo uniforms best suited to each area of operations.
Added: Each Unit deploying there should have access to them. Not allowing other units to use "YOUR" camo is effectively saying, "Stand out there and catch bullets." Beyond that, beyond distinctive headgear/insignia, I see no need to spend the money on branch-wide camo patterns that won't get used.
