By SUSANNE M. SCHAFER
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -- Army soldiers are gleeful they can ditch the ill-fitting black wool berets they've worn for years and go back to their old, brimmed patrol caps.
Army leaders say the change is taking effect Tuesday, which also happens to be the service's 236th birthday.
South Carolina Army National Guard Col. Pete Brooks says the change comes just in time to help soldiers deal with the heat. Brooks says the brimmed patrol cap is easier to put on and wards off the sun. The change is part of a wide range of changes being made to Army uniforms.
A top Army general ordered the switch to berets 10 years ago to help boost morale. But it irritated elite units who were given green or maroon berets as badges of honor.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Good, the black berets
Good, the black berets belong to the 75th Ranger Regiment
Actually their still keeping
Actually their still keeping the black berets. The patrol cap will be worn with the duty uniform and the berets will be worn with the dress uniform. It would be nice if the Associated Press could put a little bit more detail into their article.