Wait, what color is a Ranger?

[Perd Hapley]

So the Rangers have abandoned the (now ubiquitous) Black Beret in favor of brown? When did this happen?

http://www.army.mil/ranger/

I guess that was inevitable, especially since tactical brown is the new black. Or is it the new olive drab? I forget.

[BobR]

I am pretty sure it happened back when the Army decided that the black french headgear was going to be worn by everybody in the Army. The Rangers were rightly pissed, so they got the consolation prize of brown.

bob

[Perd Hapley]

Oh, I thought that was the obvious part. I was just wondering how long it took them, and I'm surprised I hadn't heard about it.

[vaskidmark]

I'm pretty sure the Rangers made the color switch either the day that, or the day before, everybody that was not already somebody special was told to wear the black beanie.

stay safe.

[BobR]

When did this happen?

June 14th 2001.

But it looks like it will go back to black in the near future as they make the patrol cap the headgear for the regular Army.

bob

[Waitone]

Back when Clinton was exploring innovative alternative humidors, he was impressed with the beret headgear someone wore.  So wanting nuthin' but the best for the military he decided to award the coveted beret to everyone.  His choice of color just happened to irritate Rangers since they had used the color before.  So Big Army appropriates the Ranger's headgear and Rangers adapt and overcome by changing color to the historically accurate tan. 

I personally think berets look cheesy except on those who achieve under duress. 

[T.O.M.]

I know several men who erned their berets through blood, sweat, tears, and determination, and they were all less than happy when the powers that be decided to give them away as favors for enlisting.  While I can understand if the Rangers want to return to the black berets (I have one which was a gift from a group of Rangers for some work I did to assist them back in the day, and I proudly hang in the wall of my home office, not work, so no one thinks I'm claiming something I didn't earn), I'd hope that they continue with the tan berets.  They look better with the new uniforms than the black, especially with the blues.

[RevDisk]

Back when Clinton was exploring innovative alternative humidors, he was impressed with the beret headgear someone wore.  So wanting nuthin' but the best for the military he decided to award the coveted beret to everyone.  His choice of color just happened to irritate Rangers since they had used the color before.  So Big Army appropriates the Ranger's headgear and Rangers adapt and overcome by changing color to the historically accurate tan. 

I personally think berets look cheesy except on those who achieve under duress. 

No part of that was accurate.

Shinseki drove the beret issue, not President Clinton.

Rangers sorta officially started in 1942. They wore British berets, which were green. They briefly wore black before Korea, in 1951. Lots of various units had black berets during Vietnam and during the mid 1970's. Primarily Cav was associated with the black beret at the time but there has been no "historical trend" correlating beret color to specific unit. Rangers began officially and uniformly wearing the black beret in 1975, until 2001.

The current Ranger tan is, according to COL Keen, officially a tribute to Rogers' Rangers, a British Ranger unit in the French-Indian War. Ah, the CO was refused a commission in the Continental Army, but did fight in the Revolutionary War. On the side of the British, with his claim to fame being allegedly capturing Nathan Hale. Hale was known his quote, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

[roo_ster]

What RevDisk wrote.

Rogers' life after Rogers' Rangers was a steady downward spiral of alcoholism, debt, and disappointment.

[RevDisk]

What RevDisk wrote.

Rogers' life after Rogers' Rangers was a steady downward spiral of alcoholism, debt, and disappointment.

Well, young Rangers are keeping those first two traditions alive quite well.   

[roo_ster]

Well, young Rangers are keeping those first two traditions alive quite well.   

Oh, yeah.  At least Roger didn't marry a stripper.

[RevDisk]

Oh, yeah.  At least Roger didn't marry a stripper.

...

Okay, so young Rangers ARE keeping Rogers' entire legacy alive. Uhm. Yay for traditions?

I was gonna say, basing your headgear off an enemy of the United States did not seem like a good idea. But the more I think about it, perhaps it is meant to be a cautionary story to young, single Rangers still living in the barracks? "Rangers, congrads on passing RIP, your funny hat is a constant reminder to NOT blow all your cash on a hotrod, massive TV, strippers and alcohol! This is the most important combat skill you can possess in this world. No creature or enemy on this planet can crush a Ranger like a dependapotamus can"

[roo_ster]

...

Okay, so young Rangers ARE keeping Rogers' entire legacy alive. Uhm. Yay for traditions?

I was gonna say, basing your headgear off an enemy of the United States did not seem like a good idea. But the more I think about it, perhaps it is meant to be a cautionary story to young, single Rangers still living in the barracks? "Rangers, congrads on passing RIP, your funny hat is a constant reminder to NOT blow all your cash on a hotrod, massive TV, strippers and alcohol! This is the most important combat skill you can possess in this world. No creature or enemy on this planet can crush a Ranger like a dependapotamus can"

I clicked that link and just about had a hernia from laughing so hard while trying to suppress it.  Great Plush Cthulhu, I hurt.

[gunsmith]

What RevDisk wrote.

Rogers' life after Rogers' Rangers was a steady downward spiral of alcoholism, debt, and disappointment.

Me too, except without all the cool Ranger stuff.

[Phantom Warrior]

June 14th 2001.

But it looks like it will go back to black in the near future as they make the patrol cap the headgear for the regular Army.

bob

Unlikely since the black beret is still the approved headgear for ceremonial occasions and with the ASU.

[Hawkmoon]

Oh, yeah.  At least Roger didn't marry a stripper.

Did he take a porn star to the prom, then?

[roo_ster]

Did he take a porn star to the prom, then?

I ran out of fingers counting the number of strippers at the Ranger Ball there as dates.  Or "dates," if you prefer.

Who knows if any of them ended up on film?

[Perd Hapley]

It always comes back to porn with you guys...