Stetson hat to be new Army standard headgear

[MrBern]

click link for military photos & full story:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/04/01/54202-stetson-hat-to-be-new-army-standard-headgear/

Army officials announced today that the Army will pay tribute to it's frontier roots by adopting the dark blue stetson and the official headgear for the current force of 1.1 million Soldiers. Soldiers will wear the stetson with non-subdued rank and branch insignia on the front. The Army star will only worn by Soldiers who have yet to graduate Advanced Individual Training, or the Officer Basic Course.

WASHINGTON, APRIL 1, 2011 -- In a fingertip-to-the-brim nod to its American frontier history, the Army is changing hats again - returning to the tumultuous days of the horse Cavalry in the wild west and adopting a dark blue Stetson as the official headgear for the current force of 1.1 million Soldiers.

"We figure the Stetson will be popular with the troops," said Sgt. Maj. Bob S. Stone, Army Uniform Board headgear task force president. "It's been a while since we have changed the headgear, so it's time. Plus a Stetson is functional and down right American."

But reminiscent of the controversial switch from the garrison cap to the black beret, the Army faces opposition from one community deeply opposed to losing its special identity with the Stetson - the Armor branch.

"Why in the heck are they doing to us what they did to the snake-eaters?" asked one officer familiar with the board's deliberations. "If you ain't Cav, you ain't ought to be wearing a Cav hat. That just ain't right."

But the sheer functionality of the wide-brimmed American-classic Stetson won over the majority of the board.

"You can keep the sun out of your eyes, the hat won't melt to your head on a sunny day, and female Soldiers can tuck long hair under a Stetson a lot easier than with the current beret," says Stone. "Plus we've already gone back to blue jackets for the service dress uniform. The Stetson actually completes the look."

The voting of the board fell along predicable lines, but was completed weeks ahead of schedule. In a surprise move representatives from Forts Bragg, Campbell and several undisclosed forward locations around the world pushed the vote for the Stetson to a head.

Representatives from various garrison activities and the Human Resources Command tried in vain to keep the beret, citing the cache it brings to wearers as well as practicality. According a dissenting member, "at least you can fold a beret and put it in your pocket. Where are you going to put your ten-gallon hat in your cubicle?"

The beret is not completely leaving the Army inventory, as communities who previously wore berets will return to or keep their traditional colors of maroon (airborne), black (Ranger) and green (Special Forces). Additionally Rangers will be allowed to keep the tan beret for use in desert climates. "We've at least earned that, for all grief we took in losing the black beret in the last go-round," said one unidentified tab-wearing board member.

Stone refused to address rumors that the Army Uniform Board will next consider adoption of a black western-style or 'cowboy' boot to replace the current inventory of black low quarters for wear with the Army Service Uniform. Sources expect that if the board moves toward boots, the Armor community will likely push for the return of cavalry-use-only jodhpurs and spurs, as a concession for having lost its prior if informal and exclusive right to wear a Stetson.

There will be some restrictions on wear. In a nod to other dress blue uniform traditions, general officer Stetsons will be black and must have a completely flat brim. All other wearers of dark blue Stetsons will be allowed any combination of opposing but matching curls of the side brims, up-to-twenty-degrees up or down. However no single-side flapping of any portion of the brim will be allowed.

The Army's official adoption date of the Stetson will be April Fool's Day, 2012.

 

[monbla256]

The Army is going to issue Stetsons to ALL troops

Just heard on the national news that the US Army is changing it's uniform headgear to Black Stetson's ! No more Black Berets! They wanted something more "American" was what was said on thier press release . Seams the Army has a sense of humor seeing as it's April first

 

[billyspew]

Just heard on the national news that the US Army is changing it's uniform headgear to Black Stetson's ! No more Black Berets! They wanted something more "American" was what was said on thier press release . Seams the Army has a sense of humor seeing as it's April first

Like this?

 

[JPH]

Are they going to be made in China just like the current issue berets?


Joseph

 

[danofarlington]

Are they going to be made in China just like the current issue berets?


Joseph

Good point. My Congressman out here pointed out in a town hall meeting that if we ever went to war with China, we'd have to borrow money from them to fight it.

 

[danofarlington]

click link for military photos & full story:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/04/01/54202-stetson-hat-to-be-new-army-standard-headgear/

I was never in the military, but I think those hats look cool. They are American style. A good move.

 

[monbla256]

Are they going to be made in China just like the current issue berets?


Joseph

If that's where Stetson makes their felts then I guess so I've a buddy who is retireing from the 82nd this year and his Maroon Beret is made in France. I don't know bout the Black ones as issued to other units, but I don't know of ANY US firm that makes Berets.

 

[Tiller]

Offical Linkage.

Wow... that's really cool. *Checks date* hmmm. I wonder if any other branches will follow.

 

[monbla256]

I was never in the military, but I think those hats look cool. They are American style. A good move.

dano,
Pay attention to what day it is today !!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

This is an April Fools day joke as it says at the bottom of the article.

 

[Neophyte]

Tiller, I just noticed your new avatar. Being a fan of that show, I am obligated to give you solid props! :eusa_clap

 

[danofarlington]

dano,
Pay attention to what day it is today !!

Don't tell me! I thoguht it was a good idea.

 

[Blackthorn]

If that's where Stetson makes their felts then I guess so I've a buddy who is retireing from the 82nd this year and his Maroon Beret is made in France. I don't know bout the Black ones as issued to other units, but I don't know of ANY US firm that makes Berets.

China...France...they should just issue them Akubras.

 

[Tiller]

Tiller, I just noticed your new avatar. Being a fan of that show, I am obligated to give you solid props! :eusa_clap

Thanks Neophyte . It's a shame this isn't real though. Although it really would piss of the Calvary lol.

 

[Widebrim]

^^If this were true, it should apply only to the Cavalry ("Garry Owen!"). Infantry should be issued the 1911 Campaign Hat...

 

[monbla256]

^^If this were true, it should apply only to the Cavalry ("Garry Owen!"). Infantry should be issued the 1911 Campaign Hat...

Your'e right there. It looks good with the uniform of the 1890's but not that of the 21st century My issued Forage style wool cap was fine with me in '69 when I was in the Corps.

 

[Tiller]

Maybe the Army can adopt the Stetson Whippet, in Army Green.

There is a hat that says I'm confident. I'm ready to move forward! And of course what looks better with camo?

 

[Widebrim]

Your'e right there. It looks good with the uniform of the 1890's but not that of the 21st century My issued Forage style wool cap was fine with me in '69 when I was in the Corps.

Actually, the Steton does look good with the Army Service Uniform (Dress Blues), but obviously not with fatigues (although I think the Campaign Hat, as worn by Drill Sergeants, does...).

 

[Tiller]

Just looking on a few military forums, it was funny to see the responses. A lot of angry guys their, and a few who simply said "better then the beret". Of course every Cav guy flipped lol.

 

[Kirk H.]

click link for military photos & full story:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/04/01/54202-stetson-hat-to-be-new-army-standard-headgear/

That is a good April Fools Day joke...who says the government does not have a sense of humor...

Kirk H.