Berets: Everyone in the Army wears them on occasion, but some of them are special. Like the maroon beret of the 82nd Airborne Division. Or the tan beret of the 75th Ranger Regiment. And, for a few ...

After years of complaints from soldiers, the black wool beret is being replaced by the patrol cap as the standard headgear worn with the Army combat uniform.

After years of complaints from soldiers, the black wool beret is being replaced by the patrol cap as the standard headgear worn with the Army combat uniform. The more functional and comfortable ...

The MoD has been blasted for opening up a contract to make British Army berets to EU firms Credit: Alamy. A £140million deal for ration packs is also being advertised across the bloc.

So on the Army’s birthday that following year, everyone took off their patrol caps and donned the black beret. It was supposed to make everyone feel elite. Instead, the troops hated it.

At one time, the beret was an unofficial piece of headgear, not approved by the larger Army. Fort Bragg soldiers would be considered out of uniform if they wore the beret away from their home base.