Army Headgear About-Face

It all began late last year when Gen. Eric Shinseki, the Army chief of staff, ordered his service’s traditional headgear replaced by the black beret, with the switch to be made in time for the Army’s birthday on June 14. That decision prompted protests from the elite Ranger regiment, which since 1975 has had exclusive rights to the dashing black cap. It also set off a rush to find suppliers for an initial order for 1.3 million berets, a number sufficient to provide each of the service’s approximately 472,000 soldiers with three caps, assuring that no one would be exposed to the elements if the laundry was late one week.

Shinseki told the troops that his order wasn’t about recruiting or retention rates or boosting morale. It was to “symbolize the Army’s commitment to transforming itself” into a faster and more mobile force, a connection that--without this explanation--might not have been readily noted.

Facing an early deadline for the changeover, the Defense Logistics Agency turned to foreign as well as American suppliers. Contracts were let to Sri Lanka, Romania, Canada and South Africa. And, oh yes, to China.

The Rangers, eager to keep their distinctive unit identification, were told in March that they could wear tan berets when nearly everyone else would be wearing black. That took care of one problem.

Then, last month, another one arose. China interned a U.S. surveillance plane and its crew, embittering a relationship that has always teetered uneasily between cordiality and animosity.

China had already sold 600,000 black berets to the Army. What had been a normal commercial transaction suddenly became a political embarrassment.

The Pentagon’s response came in a terse statement last week. “U.S. troops shall not wear berets made in China or berets made with Chinese content.” Berets already distributed were recalled, and orders given to dispose of the stock.

If that doesn’t convince China not to mess with the United States, nothing will. The Army’s cost for this about-face isn’t known, but maybe its loss will be the public’s gain. Watch for major bargains on chic headgear coming soon to the discount department store near you.