Black Thursday

Soldiers carefully positioned their new black berets on Thursday as the Army adopted a new headgear that symbolizes a new philosophy in a new era.

The transition came during ceremonies marking the Army's 226th birthday, when all soldiers switched berets. Because of time differences, 28,000 Army soldiers based in South Korea were the first to don the new headgear.

After nine soldiers adjusted their new caps at the Fort Bragg ceremony, a large birthday cake was cut with bayonets.

"We're also going to recognize that although this great institution has served the country for 226 years, it's got to change," said Lt. Gen. Dan McNeill, commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps.

"It's unfortunate that not all could see what the Army is doing today. The Army must change itself. The black beret is an outward manifestation of that."

Capt. Melanie Sloan, who works in the blood bank at Womack Army Hospital, is one of 3,928 soldiers at Fort Bragg who will wear a black beret instead of a brimmed cap.

"As hospital workers, I just think we're kind of anonymous people," Sloan said. "Us folks are here behind the scenes doing stuff for those soldiers. They're trying to make us all equal."

For years, the black beret has been the exclusive headgear of the Rangers, a small, elite force with a glory-covered history.

Before Thursday, only two other Army units were authorized to wear berets: Airborne (maroon) and Special Forces (green).

Some Rangers have objected to the widespread use of the black beret, saying it would cheapen something they had won through special training.

For months, retired and active-duty soldiers who have staged marches, developed Web sites and started letter-writing campaigns to reverse the order handed down Oct. 17 by Gen. Eric Shinseki, the Army chief of staff.

Shinseki has said that the new berets will unify the force as it is reshaped to respond to a world without a Cold War and a clear enemy. He said he developed the idea while attending a ceremony last year at Fort Bragg attended by smartly dressed Army Rangers.

A compromise last month gave the Rangers tan berets so they can still stand out.

At Fort Benning, Ga. - home of the Rangers - about 100 officers and enlisted men from the 11th Infantry Regiment switched hats in front of Iron Mike, a 30-foot tall statue of a soldier gesturing to
"Follow me," the infantry's motto.

"I really felt honored to do it under Iron Mike," Lt. Col. John Carothers said.

Infantry soldiers smiled as they adjusted their new headgear and stuffed their old baseball-style field caps into their pockets.

"It feels good," said Command Sgt. Maj. Dallas Carter. "It's a great look that I think soldiers will wear with pride."

By William L. Holmes
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