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Encyclopedia > Beret

Basque style beret
Basque style beret
Black beret with military emblem
Black beret with military emblem

A beret (pronounced pronounced [be'rɛ] in French or [ˈbɛreɪ] in English[1], except in the USA, where it is usually pronounced [bəˈreɪ][2]) is a soft round cap, usually of wool felt, with a flat crown, which is worn by both men and women and traditionally associated with France. Image File history File links Basker. ... Image File history File links Basker. ... In January 2000 the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment began transformation into the first Interim Brigade Combat Team Infantry Battalion, leading the Army in the Chief of Staff’s vision of a highly-deployable and decisively lethal early-entry combat force. ... In January 2000 the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment began transformation into the first Interim Brigade Combat Team Infantry Battalion, leading the Army in the Chief of Staff’s vision of a highly-deployable and decisively lethal early-entry combat force. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... A cap is a form of headgear. ... A selection of 4 different felt cloths. ...


Berets are worn by many military and police units, and in some countries are particularly associated with elite units, who often wear berets in more unusual colours (such as the maroon of Commonwealth parachute troops and the German Kommando Spezialkräfte KSK, the green of the Royal Marines Commandos, French Commandos (Bérets verts), and United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets), the scarlet of the elite Soviet Internal Troops (Spetsnaz) and Police Tactical Unit of Singapore, the beige or tan of Commonwealth special forces units (SAS) and U.S. Army Rangers, or the wide black of French Chasseurs alpins, the first military unit to have worn berets). The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2007 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Appointed 24 November 2007 Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... Airborne Military parachuting form of insertion. ... The Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is part of Germanys Special Forces. ... For other uses of the phrase, see Green Berets. ... 3 Commando Brigade is the main manoeuvre force of the British Royal Marines. ... The Naval Commandos (Commandos Marines) are the special forces of the French Navy. ... Blue Light redirects here. ... Russian special forces training For the Swedish EBM band, see Spetsnaz (band). ... The Tan beret has been adopted as official headdress by several special operations forces as a symbol of their unique capabilities. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2007 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Appointed 24 November 2007 Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... See also Australian Special Air Service Regiment and New Zealand Special Air Service: The Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) is the principal special forces unit of the British Army. ... Official force name 75th Ranger Regiment Rangers Other names Airborne Rangers Army Rangers U.S. Army Rangers Branch U.S. Army Chain of Command USASOC Description Special Operations Force, rapidly deployable light infantry force. ... Chasseurs alpins wear a special wide beret. ...

Contents

Wearing the beret

The beret when properly worn fits snugly around the head, and the soft crown can be shaped in a variety of ways – it is commonly pushed to one side. Berets were originally worn by Northern Basque peasants (from the border area of Southern France, and Northern Spain) and were knitted from wool. Today berets are normally made from woven wool, wool felt, or acrylic fibre. This article is about the traditional Basque domain. ... In a detail of Brueghels Land of Cockaigne (1567) a soft-boiled egg has little feet to rush to the luxuriating peasant who catches drops of honey on his tongue, while roast pigs roam wild: in fact, hunger and harsh winters were realities for the average European in the... For other uses, see Wool (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wool (disambiguation). ... A selection of 4 different felt cloths. ... Acrylic fibers are a strong and mouldable plastic that is a thermoplastic. ...


Uniform berets feature a headband or sweatband attached to the wool, made either from leather or silk, sometimes with a drawstring allowing the wearer to tighten the hat. The drawstrings are, according to custom, either tied and cut off/tucked in or else left to dangle. The beret is often adorned with a cap badge, either in cloth or metal. Some berets have a piece of buckram or other stiffener in the position where the badge is intended to be worn. Berets are also often lined with silk, imitation silk, or other material, though in some militaries the liner is removed in order to shape (called "forming") the beret. A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearers organisation. ...


In military berets, the headband is turned down (which makes it visible); but, in the Basque-style beret, it is usually folded in.


Berets in the military

Berets have been a component of the uniforms of many armed forces throughout the world since the mid-20th century. A light blue beret is the international symbol of the United Nations Peacekeeping forces. Military berets are usually pulled to the right, but the armies of some European countries (including France) have influenced the pull to the left. Peacekeeping is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ...


The use of berets as a military headdress dates back to the creation of the French Chasseurs alpins in the early 1880s. These mountain troops were issued with a new style of uniform which included several features which were very practical and advanced by the standards of the time, notably the large and floppy blue beret which they still retain (see below). This was so unfamilar a fashion outside France that it had to be described in an English encyclopedia in 1911 as "a sort of tam o'shanter hat".[3] ... A tam oshanter is a Scottish bonnet worn by men which was named after the character Tam o Shanter in the poem of that name by Robert Burns. ...


Berets have features that make them very attractive to the military: They are cheap and easy to make in large numbers, they can be manufactured in a wide range of colours to enhance branch or regimental esprit de corps, they can be rolled up and stuffed into a pocket without damage and they can be worn with headphones (this is one of the reasons why tank crews came to adopt the beret). However, they are not so useful in field conditions for an infantryman, as they do not offer the protection for the face against sun and rain that a peaked or wide brimmed hat does.


The beret was found particularly useful as a uniform for armoured vehicle crewmen, and the British Tank Corps (later Royal Tank Corps) adopted the headdress as early as 1918. German AFV crews in the late 1930s also adopted a beret with the addition of a padded crash helmet inside. The colour black became popular as a tank crew headdress since it did not show oil stains picked up inside the interior of a vehicle. Black berets continue to be worn by armoured regiments throughout the Commonwealth. The Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2007 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Appointed 24 November 2007 Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total...


Berets have become the default military headdress of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, just as the tricorne, shako, kepi and peaked cap were in various early eras. The beret is now worn by the majority of military personnel across the world. The three major hold-outs were the United States, Russia, and China (PRC) - all have now followed the example of the other armies in adopting berets. Peter the Great reenactor wearing a tricorne The tricorne (also tricorn, tri-cornered hat or three-cornered hat) is a style of hat that was popular during the 18th century, falling out of style shortly before the French Revolution. ... A Shako of a French Navy uniform of the 19th century. ... French Kepis. ... Gen. ...


Argentina

Berets are worn by some units in the Argentine Armed Forces, with distinctive colours for some units or functions. The beret colours are as follows: The armed forces of Argentina are controlled by the Commander-in-Chief (the President) and a civilian Minister of Defense. ...

The 601 Commando Company (Spanish: Compañía de Comandos 601) is a special operations unit of the Argentine Army, created January 5, 1982. ... The 602 Commando Company (Spanish: Compañía de Comandos 602) is a special operations unit of the Argentine Army, created May 21st, 1982. ... Alternative meanings: vehicle armour, Armor (novel) A hoplite wearing a helmet, a breastplate and greaves (and nothing else). ... Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). ... An American Paratrooper using a T-10C series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and formed into an airborne force. ... The 601 Air Assault Regiment (Spanish: Regimiento de Asalto Aéreo 601) is a special operations unit of the Argentine Army, created in January of 2003. ... Mountain troops are troops specialised in any kind of mountain warfare or Alpine warfare. ... The Cazadores de Montaña (Mountain Hunters) are special Mountain Troops of the Argentine Army. ... Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain. ... Jungle Cazadores or Cazadores del Monte are special jungle warfare troops of the Argentine Army. ... The Special Operations Group (Spanish: Grupo de Operaciones Especiales, GOE) is a special operations force of the Argentine Air Force. ...

Australia

Berets are worn by all corps in the Australian Army, with distinctive colours for some units:[4] The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ...

Black berets are worn in the Royal Australian Navy, and blue berets in the Royal Australian Air Force, but only by qualified Airfield Defence Guards and Ground Defence Officers. Terracotta berets are worn by Multi-National Force and Observer contingents. In all cases, the beret is pulled to the right and a badge worn above the left eye. The Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) is the overall umbrella grouping of Regular Army and Army Reserve regiments equipped with armoured vehicles in the Australian Army. ... The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II Z Special Force commando unit, as well as the Independent Companies which were active in the South Pacific during the same... Badge of Australian Army Aviation The colour AAAvn badge Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn) is a Corps of the Australian Army (although the word corps does not appear in their name or on their badge). ... The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) is the parent regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army, making up the majority of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. ... The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment or 4 RAR (Cdo), is one of the battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment and is one of three combat capable groups within the Australian Special Operations Command (the other two being the SASR and 1st Commando Regiment). ... Badge of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps The Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC) is a Corps of the Australian Army. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...


Austria

Austrian green beret.
Austrian green beret.

Berets are common in most parts of the Army, and are usually worn for special occasions, but also regularly by certain forces. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 628 KB) Summary Author: Andreas Krennmair <ak@synflood. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 628 KB) Summary Author: Andreas Krennmair <ak@synflood. ... In 1955, Austria declared her Everlasting Neutrality and made neutrality a constitutional law. ...

  • Green — infantry, all troops that do not wear another colour
  • Olive-green — Jagdkommandos
  • Black — mechanized troops, anti-tank troops, artillery, reconnaissance
  • Dark red — Jägerbataillon 25
  • Scarlet red — guard of honour

Jagdkommando soldiers arresting war criminals during an exercise. ...

Bangladesh

  • Armoured corps-Black
  • Artillery-Dark blue
  • Engineers-Royal blue
  • Signals-Dark blue
  • Infantry-Bangladesh green
  • Service corps- Royal blue
  • Army Medical corps-Dull cherry
  • Army Dental corps-Dark blue
  • Military police-Scarlet
  • Education corps-dark blue
  • Electrical and mechanical engineers-dark blue
  • Ordnance_dark blue

Belgium

Berets have been worn by Belgian military personnel since World War II. Berets vary in colour according to the regiment, and carry a crest pin (sometimes on a coloured background patch) which is of gold colour for officers, silver for noncommissioned officers and bronze for troops.

The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... There are three infantry para-commando battalions in the Belgian Army. ... There are three infantry para-commando battalions in the Belgian Army. ... The Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command providing security coverage at the Padang in Singapore during the National Day Parade in 2000. ... The Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. ... Ensign of the Belgian Navy The Naval Component, formerly the Belgian Navy, is the naval service of Belgium. ...

Bulgaria

Berets have been worn by Bulgarian military personnel since 1991. Berets vary in colour according to the military branch, and carry a crest pin (sometimes on a coloured background patch) resembling the unit's insignia.

The Bulgarian Army (Bulgarian: Българска армия) represents the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria. ... Bulgarian Air Force Roundel Bulgarian Air Force (Bulgarian: Военновъздушни сили, ВВС) is a branch of the Bulgarian Army, the other two being the Bulgarian Navy and Bulgarian land forces. ... The Bulgarian Army (Bulgarian: Българска армия) represents the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria. ... BULGARIAN GENDARMERIE Symbol of Bulgarian Gendarmeire forse The Gendarmerie (Жандармерия - Zhandaramerya) is a part of the bulgarian Ministry of internal affayrs or MIA. In bulgarian: Министерство на вътрешните работи or МВР it is being pronounced In Bulgaria МВР is allways been the other word for Police, comparable with the American “FBI”. Bulgarian “MBP is divided in to... Naval specialised research and analysis division (Bulgarian: Военноморски специализиран отдел за проучвания и анализи) was a clandestine agency within Bulgarian Navy, intended to intelligence gathering and unofficial paramilitary operations. ...

Canada

Berets were first worn in the Canadian Army in 1937 when tank regiments (at that time part of the infantry) adopted the black beret of the Royal Armoured Corps. The black beret, which is now the headdress of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC), was first worn by the Essex Regiment (Tank), now renamed The Windsor Regiment (RCAC). This was because the other new tank units were ordered to wear the headdress that they had while serving as infantry. The Essex Regiment (Tank) was a new unit, formed as a tank regiment, with no connection to the Infantry. As such, it picked the headdress that was worn by the Royal Tank Corps of the British Army.[5] Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LF) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ... The Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army. ... The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command (Canadian Army), including regular force and militia regiments. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...


During the Second World War, a khaki beret was adopted throughout the Canadian Army, with the Canadian Armoured Corps (later Royal Canadian Armoured Corps) wearing the black beret and parachute troops wearing the maroon beret adopted by British airborne forces. The 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion (the Canadian component of the First Special Service Force) wore a red beret with the dress uniform. Wartime berets were much fuller in cut than postwar berets. Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LF) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ... The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the 1st Special Service Force. ...

Midnight Blue Beret with coloured flash, worn by a soldier of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in 1954.
Midnight Blue Beret with coloured flash, worn by a soldier of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in 1954.

After the Second World War, a series of coloured berets were adopted, with infantry regiments wearing scarlet, rifle regiments wearing dark (rifle) green, the armoured corps wearing black, and other arms and services wearing midnight blue berets, with a large coloured "flash" in corps colours - dull cherry for the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Emerald Green for the Royal Canadian Dental Corps, etc. The coloured flashes were not popular and replaced in 1956 with forage caps bearing coloured bands in corps colours. The midnight blue beret itself was retained, however.[6] Image File history File links Berets541. ... Image File history File links Berets541. ... The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. ... The Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC) was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. ...


When the Canadian Forces unified in the late 1960s, the rifle green beret was adopted as the CF standard. The RCAC successfully fought to retain its distinctive black beret, and the Canadian Airborne Regiment wore the maroon beret until the unit was disbanded. Scottish and Irish infantry regiments wear tam o'shanters, glengarries, balmorals or caubeens instead of berets. The berets listed below are the current standard: The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command (Canadian Army), including regular force and militia regiments. ... The Canadian Airborne Regiment was a Canadian Forces formation created on April 8, 1968. ... The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... A Tam oshanter is a Scottish bonnet worn by men which was named after a character invented by Robert Burns. ... Clan MacDonell of Glengarry is a branch of Clan Macdonald, taking its name from Glen Garry where the river Garry runs eastwards through Loch Garry to join the Great Glen about 16 miles (25 km) north of Fort William. ... The Balmoral Bonnet is a traditional Scottish cap that can be worn with Scottish Highland Dress. ... A Caubeen as worn by the Royal Irish Regiment and pipers of the Irish Guards A caubeen is an Irish soldiers headdress, a variation on the beret or Tam oShanter. ...

The beret is used with service dress as formal headdress (especially after the move away from the forage cap in the 1990s) as well as with CADPAT clothing as garrison dress and as a form of combat dress. In certain cases the beret is even used as Ceremonial Dress, most commonly in units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM) is responsible for naval operations of the navy of the Canadian Armed Forces. ... The Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command providing security coverage at the Padang in Singapore during the National Day Parade in 2000. ... Rifle green is a particular shade of dark green. ... The RCAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force with a maple leaf, a symbol of Canada in the centre. ... Search and Rescue (acronym SAR) is an operation mounted by emergency services, often well-trained volunteers, to find someone believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured either in a remote or difficult to access area, such as mountains, desert or forest (Wilderness search and rescue), or at sea... The Tan beret has been adopted as official headdress by several special operations forces as a symbol of their unique capabilities. ... Gen. ... A sample of the temperate woodland CADPAT design. ...


China, People's Republic of

Since May 5, 2000, the People's Liberation Army has adopted woolen berets for all its personnel,[7] along with the traditional peaked caps. is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Peoples Liberation Army redirects here. ... combination cap rogatywka Categories: Disambiguation ...

  • Dark greenish brown — Infantry
  • Dark blue — Navy
  • Dark sky-blue — Air Force

Croatia

In the Croatian army berets are used in special forces and professional brigades. Image Croatian Ground Army (Croatian: Hrvatska kopnena vojska), commonly referred as Croatian Army (Hrvatska vojska) is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. ... Look up image in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


Joint staff:

  • Green with golden cap badge- Joint staff
  • Red - presidential guard on their battledress uniforms
  • Green - Special operations battalion
  • Black - Military police

Guard brigades: US Army soldiers wearing the new Army Combat Uniform, Desert Camouflage Uniform, and a World War II-era uniform (L to R) Battledress is a general term for the military uniform worn into combat, as opposed to display dress and formal uniforms worn at parades and functions. ...

  • Black - 1st Guard Brigade "Tigers"
  • Green - 2nd Guard Brigade "Thunders"
  • Grey - 3rd Guard Brigade "Martens"
  • Red - 4th Guard Brigade "Spiders"

Czech Republic

The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic use berets for both battledress and display uniform. The colour of the beret is defined by the branch of the armed forces. The beret displays the small state coat of arms and the badge of rank of the individual.[8] The Czech Armed Forces (Czech: Armáda České republiky) consists of Land and Air Forces and of specialized support units. ... US Army soldiers wearing the new Army Combat Uniform, Desert Camouflage Uniform, and a World War II-era uniform (L to R) Battledress is a general term for the military uniform worn into combat, as opposed to display dress and formal uniforms worn at parades and functions. ...

  • Orange — Civil defence troops, Engineering Brigades
  • Maroon — 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade (Airborne), 601st Special Forces Group
  • Dark green — Reconnaissance troops
  • Light green — Other ground forces (mechanised infantry, armour, artillery, NBC protection, etc.)
  • Dark blue — Air Force
  • Grey — Logistics, Medical troops
  • Black — Military Police

The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st Airborne Division. ... The 4th (Czech) Rapid Deployment Brigade is assigned to the NATO Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps but falls under the organizational control of 1 (UK) Armoured Division when required. ... The Czech Air Force is the air force branch of the Czech Republic Army. ...

Denmark

The Royal Danish Army uses berets for all its personnel. The Navy and Air Force also use berets. The Royal Danish Army is the army of Denmark. ...

Jægerkorpset (translated from Danish as The Hunter Corps or The Ranger Corps) is a Danish special forces unit, a part of the Royal Danish Army. ... For other uses, see Special forces (disambiguation). ... The Royal Danish Navy (or Kongelige Danske Marine in Danish) is the sea-based branch of The Danish Defence force. ... Danish Air Forces F-16 MLU at Radom Air Show 2005 History The Danish armed forces received 38 Supermarine Spitfire H. F. Mk. ...

Ecuador

Berets are worn by all personnel of the Ecuadorian Army (Ejército) and certain members of the Navy (Armada) and Air Force (Fuerza Aérea), with distinctive colours for some units or functions. The beret colours are: The Ecuadorian Army (Spanish: Ejército Ecuatoriano) is the branch of the Ecuadorian military whose primary function is the defense of the integrity and independence of the Ecuadorian State from any land-based threat. ...

  • Black — Military Police; Navy Marines (Infantería de Marina)
  • Red — Paratroopers and Special Operations Forces
  • Dark blue — Army Aviation (Aviación del Ejército); Air Force Aerial Infantry (Infantería Aérea)
  • Dark green — all other Army units
  • Gray — for use with the dress uniform (4-A) for those forces using the dark green beret
  • Camouflage — IWIA (indigenous tribal members unit) forces

Finland

The Finnish Defence Force uses berets with cap badges for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The berets are worn in "clean" garrison duties such as roll calls and with the walking-out uniform, but not with the battle dress. Until the mid-1990s, the beret was reserved for troops with special status, such as the coastal jägers and the parachute jägers, but is nowadays used by all units. In the winter, berets are replaced by winter headgear. The Finnish Army (Finnish: Maavoimat) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... The Finnish Navy (Finnish: Suomen merivoimat, Swedish: Finländska marinen) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... The Finnish Air Force (FAF) (Finnish: Ilmavoimat) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... Finnish Jägers parading at the town square of Vaasa The Jäger troops were volunteers from Finland in Germany trained as Jägers (elite light infantry) during World War I. It was one of many means by which Germany intended to weaken Russia and to cause Russias loss...


Berets are also used by the Finnish Frontier Guard, which is a military organization under the aegis of Ministry of Interior during peacetime. The Border Guard (Finnish: Rajavartiolaitos) of Finland is the Finnish security authority responsible for the border security. ...

  • Olive-green (Badge: silver lion's head) — Army
  • Olive-green (Badge: golden lion's head with a crown) — Finnish Rapid Deployment Force and units abroad
  • Blue (Badge: Air Force insignia) — Air Force
  • Blue (Badge: silver griffin) — Army aviation
  • Blue (Badge: Harp and sword) — Military bands
  • Dark blue (Badge: Anchor and Lion) — Navy (including coastal troops, but with the exception of coastal jägers)
  • Black (Badge: Armored head) — Armoured Brigade
  • Green (Badge: Golden sea eagle's head) — Coastal jägers
  • Maroon (Badge: Arrow and parachute) — Parachute jägers or special jägers (Utti Jäger Regiment)
  • Olive-green (Badge: Golden bear's head, sword and fir tree twig) — Frontier jägers

For other uses, see Griffin (disambiguation). ...

France

The military beret originated in the French Army, in the form of the wide and floppy headdress worn by the Chasseurs alpins (mountain light infantry) from their foundation in the early 1880s. A tight-fitting version was subsequently adopted by French armoured troops towards the end of World War I. Between the wars special fortress units raised to garrison the Maginot Line wore khaki berets as did the 13th DBLE of the French Foreign Legion when it was created in 1940. The beret in red, blue or green was a distinction of the Metropolitan, Colonial and Foreign Legion paratroop regiments during the Indochina and Algerian wars. After 1962 the beret in either khaki or the colours specified above became the standard French Army headdress for ordinary use. With the exception of the Naval Commandos whose beret emulates the British Commando beret and is worn pulled to the right with the badge worn over the left ear, all French berets are pulled to the left with the badge worn on the right side over the eye or the temple. The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre (Army of the land), is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and the largest. ... ... The Maginot Line (IPA: [maʒinoː], named after French minister of defence André Maginot) was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, machine gun posts and other defences which France constructed along its borders with Germany and with Italy, in the light of experience from World War I, and... Legionnaire redirects here. ... Legionnaire redirects here. ... Combatants French Union France State of Vietnam Cambodia Laos Viet Minh Commanders French Expeditionary Corps Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (1945-46) Jean-Étienne Valluy (1946-8) Roger Blaizot (1948-9) Marcel-Maurice Carpentier (1949-50) Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (1950-51) Raoul Salan (1952-3) Henri Navarre (1953-4... The Naval Commandos (Commandos Marines) are the special forces of the French Navy. ... The British Commandos were first formed by the Army in June 1940 during World War II as a well-armed but unregimented raider force employing unconventional and irregular tactics to assault, disrupt and reconnoitre the enemy in mainland Europe and Scandinavia. ...

Chasseurs alpins wear a special wide beret. ... The Naval Commandos (Commandos Marines) are the special forces of the French Navy. ... Legionnaire redirects here. ... The French Air Force is the air force branch of the French Armed Forces. ... The Troupes de marine (marine troops) is a subset of the French Army dedicated to external operations. ... An American Paratrooper using a T-10C series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and formed into an airborne force. ... The French Army Light Aviation (French: Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre) (ALAT) is a the aviation part of the French Army. ...

Germany

The German Heer uses berets with cap badges for every branch of service. The Luftwaffe and the Navy issue navy blue berets only to their ground or land combat units (called Luftwaffen- and Marine-Sicherungsstaffeln). Berets are usually worn at special ceremonies and roll calls, although units with a special espriat de corps, especially armoured and mechanized infantry (Panzergrenadiere) battalions, wear their berets all the time. The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heɐ]  ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... The Deutsche Luftwaffe or   (German: air force, IPA: ) is the commonly used term for the German air force. ... The Deutsche Marine is the present day German Navy, replacing both the East German Volksmarine and the West German Bundesmarine after the reunification of Germany in 1990. ...

First Sergeant of the Panzerjäger with black beret 1989
First Sergeant of the Panzerjäger with black beret 1989
  • Black — armoured units, including armoured reconnaissance and the now disbanded Panzerjäger (anti-tank)
  • Maroon — special units, including airborne troops, army aviation, division airmobile operations (DLO; Division Luftbewegliche Operationen), and Division Special Operations (DSO; Division Spezielle Operationen), including the KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte)
  • Red — support units, including artillery, engineers, intelligence, psychological operations (Operative Information), anti-aircraft, supply, NBC protection, signals, electronic warfare, transport, topography, and military police (Feldjäger)
  • Moss green — infantry units, including Jägertruppe, Panzergrenadiere (armoured infantry), and ceremonial guards (Wachbataillon des Heeres); military bands
  • Dark blue — medical units
  • Navy blue — Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Deutsche Marine (Navy) infantry and ceremonial guards; multinational units (e.g. Eurocorps)

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 479 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (512 × 641 pixel, file size: 33 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 479 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (512 × 641 pixel, file size: 33 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Panzerjäger (German tank-hunters) are German armoured fighting vehicles of the Second World War. ... The Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is part of Germanys Special Forces. ... Psychological Operations (PSYOP, PSYOPS) are techniques used by military and police forces to influence a target audiences emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and behavior. ... It has been suggested that Feldjägerkorps be merged into this article or section. ... This article needs cleanup. ... The Deutsche Luftwaffe or   (German: air force, IPA: ) is the commonly used term for the German air force. ... The Deutsche Marine is the present day German Navy, replacing both the East German Volksmarine and the West German Bundesmarine after the reunification of Germany in 1990. ... The badge of the Eurocorps Eurocorps is a force which consists of up to 60,000 soldiers drawn from the armies of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain. ...

Greece

The beret colours worn by the Hellenic Army are as follows: This article is about the land force of the modern nation of Greece. ...

  • Dark blue — Marine Corps
  • Light blue — Presidential Guard
  • Black — Armoured Corps
  • Green — Special Forces (including Airborne Troops)
  • Dark red — Army Aviation

Hungary

Berets currently in Hungarian military:

  • Black - Armored Units
  • Crimson - Military Police
  • Green - Paratroopers
  • Scarlet - Artillery

Iceland

Icelandic armed services commonly use berets.

Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard The Icelandic Coast Guard is a branch of Icelands military. ...

India

The beret is the standard headgear for the Indian Army. Berets are worn by officers and other ranks, apart from Sikhs, who wear turbans. The beret colours worn by the Indian Army are as follows: This article is about the post-independence Indian Army. ... A Sikh man wearing a turban The adherents of Sikhism are called Sikhs. ... This article is about headwear. ...

  • Green — Infantry regiments (except light infantry and rifles)
  • Dark (rifle) green — Light infantry and rifle regiments
  • Maroon — The Parachute Regiment and Special Forces
  • Black — Armoured Corps
  • Grey — Army Aviation Corps
  • Scarlet — Corps of Military Police
  • Navy blue — Other corps and regiments

Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... The Parachute Regiment is the main airborne formation of the Indian Army. ... For other uses, see Special forces (disambiguation). ...

Indonesia

The beret is the headgear of ground forces and military police in the Indonesian Armed Forces. Indonesias armed forces (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, abbreviated as TNI, formerly Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia, abbreviated as ABRI) total about 361,823 members, including the Army (TNI-AD), Navy(including marines), and Air Force. ...

  • Red - Special Forces
  • Green - Infantry
  • Black - Cavalry
  • Moss Green - Artillery
  • Steel Gray - Combat Engineers
  • Aquamarine - Army Military Police
  • Purple - Marine Corps
  • Light Blue - Naval Military Police
  • Orange - Air Force's Special Troops
  • Dark Blue - Air Force Military Police

Kopassus ,abbreviation for Komando Pasukan Khusus(Special Commando Force or as Special Forces Command) is an Indonesian Army special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-terrorism, and intelligence. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Ireland

The beret colours worn by Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) are as follows: The Irish Defence Forces encompass the army, navy, air force and reserve forces of the Republic of Ireland. ...

  • Black with red patch behind capbadge — Permanent Defence Forces
  • Light green with bottle green patch — Reserve Defence Forces
  • Bottle green — Army Ranger Wing (Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm)
  • Red — An Cor Póilíní Airm (Military Police)

All personnel wear a common capbadge, a sunburst insignia with the letters "FF" inscribed above the left eye of the beret; this is the ancient symbol of the Fianna, the elite forces of Irish warriors. The Irish Army Ranger Wing (or Sciathán Fiannóglach na hAirm in Irish) is the special forces unit of the Irish Defence Forces. ... In Irish mythology, the Fianna were Irish warrior-hunters who served the High King of Ireland in the 3rd century AD. Their adventures were recorded in the Fenian Cycle. ...


Israel

Main article: Israel Defense Forces insignia

Israeli Defense Forces soldiers wear berets only on formal occasions, such as ceremonies and roll calls, and in disciplinary situations such as courts martial and imprisonments. The beret is placed beneath the left epaulette The beret colors are as follows: This page details the insignia of the Israel Defense Forces, excluding rank insignia. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: &#1510;&#1489;&#1488; &#1492;&#1492;&#1490;&#1504;&#1492; &#1500;&#1497;&#1513;&#1512;&#1488;&#1500; Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated &#1510;&#1492;&#1500; Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces... Epaulette pronunciation: ĕp-ǝ-lĕt, a French word meaning little shoulders (epaule, referring to shoulder), originally meant only one type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia or rank by military or other organizations. ...

The Israeli General Corps is the Israel Defense Forces authority which amalgamates all professional staff soldiers and officers. ... Armor Corps logo The Israeli Armor Corps is a corps of the Israel Defense Forces, since 1998 subordinate to GOC Army Headquarters. ... The Israeli Artillery Corps is the Israel Defense Forces corps responsible for operating the medium and long-range artillery network. ... The Paratroopers Brigade (חטיבת הצנחנים) is a unit of paratroopers within the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). ... Sayeret Matkal (Hebrew: סיירת מטכל, translation: General Staff Reconnaissance unit) is the elite special forces unit of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). ... Nahal is a Hebrew acronym for Noar Halutzi Lohem (Fighting Pioneer Youth) and refers to a scheme for Israeli youth that combines active military service with civilian service, the latter usually in a new agricultural settlement. ... The Caracal Battalion is a combat battalion of the Israel Defense Forces that is composed of male and female soldiers. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Golani Brigade חטיבת גולני (aka. ... The Israeli Kfir Brigade, formerly known as the 900 Brigade is one of the most recent Infantry Corps brigade commanded by the 162nd Division (Utzvat HaPlada) in the Central regional command of the Israel Defense Forces. ... Aman badge Aman (אמן) is the Hebrew abbreviation for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Directorate of Military Intelligence (אגף המודיעין), Israels central, overarching military intelligence. ... The Israel Border Police (Hebrew: משמר הגבול, Mishmar HaGvul) is the combat branch of the Israeli Police. ... The Israeli Home Front Command is a relatively recent Israel Defense Forces regional command, created in February 1992 following the Gulf War, which was the first war since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War where the Home Front faced a significant threat. ... The Israeli Engineering Corps are the combat engineering forces of צהל - the Israeli Defence Forces. ... The military police of the Israel Defense Forces (Hebrew: חיל המשטרה הצבאית, Heyl HaMishtara HaTzvait) is the Israeli military police. ... Operational areas of the Israel Navy: Mediterranean Sea (north), Gulf of Aqaba (east), Red Sea (south), Gulf of Suez (west), viewed from Space Shuttle STS-40. ... The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHaḤalal, Air and Space Division, commonly known as חיל האוויר Hel HaAvir) is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. ...

Italy

Italian Army personnel used to wear a garrison cap alongside the combination cap, until the early 1970s when the garrison cap was replaced by the beret. Until the early 1980s the general Army colour for the beret was khaki, the black being reserved to armoured units. The colours presently used are: Coat of Arms of the Italian Army Dardo IFV on exercise in Capo Teulada Soldiers of the 33rd Field Artillery Regiment Acqui on parade The Italian Army (Esercito Italiano) is the ground defense force of the Italian Republic. ... Gen. ...

  • Maroon — Paratroopers
  • Blue — Army aviation
  • Black — all Army units, except the above-mentioned ones
  • Green — Navy (Comsubin) and Army Special Forces (Incursori)
  • Teal blue — Air Force guards
  • Red — Carabinieri Hunters and Tuscania Squadron (Military Police Special Raid Units)
  • Dark green — GICO and other specialized units in Guardia di Finanza

The Carabinieri are the military police of Italy. ... Gruppo di Investigazione Criminalità Organizzata (Organized Crime Investigation Group, GICO) is a specialized department of the Italian Guardia di Finanza, a Special Police force that fights against international illegal drugs trafficking, customs and borders control, financial crimes, Anti-Mafia operations, illegal immigration, maintaining public order and safety, political and military... Coat of Arms of the Guardia di Finanza The Italian Financial Guard, in Italian Guardia di Finanza, () is an Italian military police force under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. ...

Malaysia

Berets are worn by some units of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The colours presently used are: This article concerns the Military of Malaysia The Malaysian military consists of three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Royal Malaysian Army and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. ...

Crest of Malaysian Army The Malaysian Army (Malay: Tentera Darat Malaysia) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. ... Grup Gerak Khas is a brigade sized formation that acts as the command element and coordinates and deploys the 3 special forces battalions of the Malaysian Army. ... The Royal Malay Regiment (Malay: Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja) is one of two infantry regiments in the Malaysian Army. ... The Royal Malaysian Air Force (Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia or TUDM) was formed in 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). ... This article is about the Royal Navy of Malaysia. ... This article is about the Royal Navy of Malaysia. ...

Mexico

In the Mexican Army, the beret is worn by: Heroic Naval Military Academy cadets Mexicos armed forces number about 300,000. ...

  • Maroon — Paratroopers
  • Black — Special Forces Units (GAFEs)

In the Mexican Navy: The Mexican Navy (official name Secretaría de Marina or SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican Military responsible for conducting naval operations. ...

  • Black — Paratroopers

Netherlands

When the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces acquired new modernised uniforms (designed by the Dutch couturier Frans Molenaar) in 2001, the berets changed as well. Since 2004, soldiers of the Royal Netherlands Army have worn a petrol (blue-green) beret, whereas previously they wore brown. The military of the Netherlands is composed of four branches, all of which carry the prefix Koninklijke (Royal): Koninklijke Landmacht (KL), the Royal Netherlands Army. ... The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands. ...


The following colours are also used (before and after the modernisation):

The only Dutch military units that do not wear a beret are the Gele Rijders (Horse Artillery), who we