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Isle soldiers and Soldiers in Hawaii yesterday became one of the last in the Army to don the black beret, which its leaders hope will symbolize commitment to meet the changing needs of today's military.
new berets
a perfect fit
The black head gear symbolizes
their desire for excellenceBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comTwenty-thousand black berets have been issued to soldiers at Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks with each soldier getting two. It's more than a fashion statement; it signifies a desire to take on any mission, anytime, any place.
Yesterday in ceremonies at both Army installations, soldiers made the change, discarding the traditional baseball-style, battle dress camouflage caps for the berets.
The major ceremony at Schofield Barracks was held at War Eagle Field at Wheeler Army Air Field and presided over by Maj. Gen. James Dubik, commander of the 25th Infantry Division.
Also attending the Wheeler ceremony was Brig. Gen.-select Clarence Agena whose nearly 3,000-member Hawaii Army National Guard force will be getting their black berets this weekend.
Hawaii Army National Guard units on all islands will start their March drill weekend with a morning formation where the switch will occur.
Only one beret will be issued to each Army Guard soldier, said Agena, commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, to ensure that "everyone gets one."
This is because in many cases, the beret and the baseball cap sizes didn't match; so those berets will have to be turned in and exchanged for different sizes, Agena said.
The 3,400 soldiers belonging to the Pacific Army Reserve here and in American Samoa and Guam began wearing their berets on Feb. 23.
After yesterday's 20-minute ceremony, Dubik said that issuing the berets to soldiers in Hawaii was delayed because of problems getting the right hat sizes.
The Army, under the direction of Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, had wanted to make the switch last June 14 on the Army's 226th birthday. However, there were problems in getting an adequate supply which was aggravated because the Army had to recall all the berets made in China and dispose of them after Congress objected. Some lawmakers said the Army was violating U.S. rules "to buy American."
There also was resistance from some quarters of the Army, especially from the corps of the elite Army Ranger units who had been authorized to wear the black berets since 1975. To them the black berets symbolized a specialty of excellence. Last March Shinseki approved tan berets for the Rangers -- a color which it originally wore in World War II. Army paratroopers will continue to wear maroon berets; while Special Forces will retain its signature Green berets.
Pvt. Shannon Burt, a supply clerk with the division's headquarters company, said a few soldiers are still having problems getting used to the proper way of wearing and maintaining the new head gear.
"I like it," said Burt, 19. "It gives a more professional look. But it's going to take time to make it look like it is supposed to look like."
Spec. Joshua Davis, a crew chief with the 25th Aviation Brigade, said it "represents the new Army ... We're a lighter and faster Army and here at the 25th, we're right on the cutting edge."
That theme was repeated by various soldiers interviewed by reporters after yesterday's beret ceremony, beginning with its top leader, Dubik.
"The beret is our symbol of our commitment to the transformation of our Army," Dubik told the more than 2,100 soldiers from the aviation brigade and the headquarters company as they stood in formation.
"It is a symbol of excellence, a symbol of unity and a symbol of values."