US military beret flash

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In the United States (US) Department of Defense, a beret flash is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is tall and wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a military beret."Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1, Uniform and Insignia Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"
Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 6 December 2022 Beret Insignia of the U.S. Army, by William A Hudspeath, dated 1987, "AR 670–1 1981 (OBSOLETE):Wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia"
Department of the Army via Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library, dated 1 November 1981, last accessed 21 November 2020 These flashes—a term coined by Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough based on the British English use of the word to describe a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance."US Air Force Instruction 36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel"
US Department of the Air Force, dated 12 April 2022, last accessed 4 June 2022 The embroidered designs of the Army's beret flashes represent the heraldic colors and patterns of a unit with a unique mission or the history of the Army."US Army / US Army Heraldry / Beret Flash and Background Trimmings"
The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 12 February 2020 The Air Force's beret flashes represent their Air Force specialty code (AFSC) or their assignment to a unit with a unique mission. Joint beret flashes—such as those worn by the Joint Communications Support Element and the Multinational Force and Observers—are worn by all who are assigned, given their uniform regulations allow."Joint Communications Support Element–Government Organization"
official Facebook page, last accessed 20 January 2021"War Eagle Troopers receive Multinational Force and Observers medal"
Army.mil, by MAJ Michael Soyka and SGT William A. Tanner, dated 9 May 2016, last accessed 28 April 2018

With some exceptions, Army soldiers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) affix their distinctive unit insignia (DUI) to the center of their beret flash. Army warrant officers and commissioned officers affix their polished metal rank insignia to the center of their beret flash while chaplains affix their polished metal branch insignia. Air Force commissioned officers in the security forces or assigned as weather parachutists wear their beret flash in the same manner as the Army while Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) officers attach a miniature version of their polished metal rank insignia below the TACP Crest on the TACP Beret Flash. Air Force airman and NCOs either wear their beret flash or beret flash with crest.

The design of all US Department of Defense beret flashes are created and/or approved by The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army."Army Regulation 670–1 (2021), Uniform and Insignia Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"
Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 11 April 2021 When a requesting unit is entitled to have its own organizational beret flash, the institute will conduct research into the requesting unit's heraldry, as well as design suggestions from the unit, in the creation of a unit–specific beret flash."FAQs-Organizational Insignia"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022"Big Picture: Your Army Reports: Number 10"
US Army's The Big Picture (TV 713), hosted on PublicResourceOrg YouTube Channel, dated 1967, posted 31 December 2010, last accessed 28 August 2022 Leveraging geometrical divisions, shapes, and colors, a heraldic artist will create a design that will represent the history and mission of the requesting unit. Once the unit agrees upon a design, the institute will authorize the creation of the new beret flash and will establish manufacturing instructions for the companies authorized to produce heraldic materials."TIOH Organization"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022Beret Flash and Background Trimming for the 346th Quartermaster Company
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; SAAA-IHS; dated 16 December 2019; last accessed 28 August 2022 The institute will also monitor the production of the new beret flash to ensure quality and accuracy of the design is maintained.

Department of Defense beret flash history

US Army

1940s

Throughout its history, Army units have adopted different headgear and headgear devices—such as various colored cords, colored stripes, and insignias—to identify specific units, the unique mission of a unit, and/or the unique role and position of a soldier."Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms, Weapons and Accoutrements"
US Army Center of Military History, by David Cole, dated November 2007, last accessed 7 August 2022 (can also be found in Commons at :File:Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms, Weapons and Accoutrements (2007), by David Cole.pdf)"All American Legacy Podcast Ep 25 – The French Hat"
82nd Airborne Division Official YouTube Channel, dated 26 June 2017, last accessed 24 March 2020"The colorful and controversial history of the Army's berets"
ConnectingVets.Radio.com, by Jack Murphy, dated 23 October 2019, last accessed 18 January 2020 According to some historians, the first US use of a military beret device was a beret flash created by the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion."Rare WWII 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion Airborne Italian Made Patch Superb, Pricing and History"
WorthPoint, last accessed 19 October 2021
509th Parachute Infantry Association, dated 2006, last accessed 19 October 2021 The 509th trained with the British 1st Airborne Division during World War II (WWII) and was made honorary members of the British airborne forces in 1943, entitling them to wear the maroon beret worn by British paratroopers."Earning it: A complete history of Army berets and who's allowed to wear them"
ArmyTimes, by Meghann Myers, dated 19 November 2017, last accessed 19 October 2021 Some 509th paratroopers had a small hand–embroidered version of their regiment's gold and black pocket–patch created for use as their beret flash on their honorary maroon berets."509th Infantry Regiment, Distinctive Unit Insignia, Coat of Arms"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, dated 28 May 1970, last accessed 4 July 2021 The design of the 509th's pocket–patch depicts a stylized figure of a paratrooper standing at the exit–door of an aircraft wearing a reserve parachute with an artistic rendering of the number "509" surrounding the paratrooper's head and the word "GERONIMO" displayed at the base of the door.

1960s

The official start of the Army's beret flashes began in 1961 with Department of the Army Message 578636 authorizing the establishment of organizational beret flashes for wear on the special forces' rifle–green beret.RFK Speech- "Authorizations for Green Beret"
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, soc.mil, last accessed 24 September 2022 Championed and heavily influenced by Lieutenant General Yarborough—creator of the parachutist badge and airborne background trimming—the message described the beret flash as shield–shaped with a semi–circular base made of felt tall and wide using solid colors to represent each of the special forces groups of the era."Research Center, Parachute Badge History"
U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum, last updated 30 December 2015, last accessed 5 December 2022
hosted on angelfire.com, by Dr. Howard G. Lanham, dated 2001, last accessed 5 December 2022 The message also described who was authorized to wear the organizational beret flash stating that only special forces qualified paratroopers would be permitted to wear their special forces unit's organizational beret flash. These organizational beret flashes were to be worn centered over the left eye with either the 1st Special Forces Regiment DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia positioned below their parachutist badge and centered on the flash. Later, the parachutist badge was removed and non–qualified soldiers assigned to a special forces unit wore a rectangular cloth beret flash, known as a recognition bar, long and wide color and pattern matched to their group's organizational beret flash below their 1st Special Force Regiment DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia on the rifle–green beret."US Army Special Forces 1952–84"
Bloomsbury Publishing, by Gordon L. Rottman, dated 20 September 2012, , last accessed 29 March 2019"Army Regulation 614–200, Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management"
Department of the Army, dated 25 January 2019, last accessed 30 May 2020

1970s

Various beret accoutrements began to appear in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly between 1973 and 1979 when the Department of the Army had its morale–enhancing order in effect and different colored berets began to be worn by numerous units and branches of the Army."History of the Army Beret, CSA SENDS – THE ARMY BLACK BERET"
armyreal.com, last accessed 12 February 2020"The Beret in U.S. Military Uniform History"
The Balance Careers, by Rod Powers, updated 27 June 2019, last accessed 14 September 2019
army.mil via WebArchive, dated 3 November 2000, last accessed 26 March 2019"US Army berets – blue, black, green, maroon, tan..."
The US Militaria Forum, last accessed 10 September 2021 Historical photographs from the 1960s through the 1970s show soldiers assigned to reconnaissance, ranger, and armor units informally wearing black berets with reconnaissance and ranger units affixing a wide variety of custom beret flashes that were worn over the left eye ''(see Example 1)''. In 1975, the Army formally authorized its ranger units to wear the black beret."History of the Black Beret"
Army Study Guide, by SMA Jack L. Tilley, last accessed 23 December 2020 If earned, some of these ranger units had their rangers affix their Ranger Tab to the top edge of their organizational beret flash along with the 75th Ranger Regiment DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia affixed to its center and worn over the left eye ''(see Example 2)''. Wearing of the black beret by armor units expanded in the 1970s with some adopting organizational beret flashes. For example, armored cavalry regiments stationed in West Germany began wearing black berets in the 1970s with a maroon and white oval as their beret flash. The oval beret flash was worn vertically on the black beret behind their DUI to the left of their metal rank insignia or chaplain branch insignia and positioned over the left temple ''(see Example 3)''. Another example is the Army's "triple capability" experiment with the 1st Cavalry Division that outfitted the division for armor, airmobile, and air cavalry warfare in 1971. The division decided that its soldiers should wear different colored berets to represent the capability they brought to the division: black for armor, light–blue for infantry, red for artillery, and kelly–green for support—later settling for black berets across all formations."Nick's FARRP #7 – First Cavalry Division – 1978"
The Days Forward, dated 14 June 2020, last accessed 5 September 2021"Evolution and Endurance, The U.S. Army Division in the Twentieth Century (Chapter Five, The Triple Capability Division: TRICAP)"
RAND Corporation, by Richard W. Kabzior, published 2000, last accessed 26 March 2022 As they became available, 1st Cavalry soldiers would affix a battalion or squadron specific organizational beret flash of various shapes, colors, and materials to their beret. Historical photographs show many 1st Cavalry soldiers wearing their berets in the same manner as US armored cavalry soldiers in West Germany ''(see Example 4)''. The use of black berets extended to training units as well, such as the US Army Training and Doctrine Command and its armor school. Historical photographs of the era show plastic triangles being worn on black berets of Army Armor School cadre and were worn in the same manner as beret flashes are today ''(see Example 5)''. In 1973, Army leaders authorized the wear of the maroon beret by airborne forces. Within a year or so, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division began incorporating organizational beret flashes onto their maroon berets pattered after their unit's airborne background trimming. These organizational beret flashes, representing various units of the 82nd, were worn in the same manner as they are today ''(see Example 6)''. Similarly, in 1974 Army leaders authorized the 101st Airborne Division to wear the dark–blue beret when it was reorganized into an air assault division at Fort Campbell."101st Airborne Division Blue Air Assault Beret 1973–1978"
U.S. Militaria Forum, last accessed 25 January 2021"Welcome to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)"
Army.mil, by 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs Office, dated 2 April 2014, last accessed 25 January 20212"On episode 25 of the All American Legacy Podcast, we mention the blue beret of the 101st Airborne Division in the 1970s. Well, here is the proof."
82nd Airborne Division official Facebook page, dated 28 June 2017, last accessed 27 January 2022 Army articles and historical photographs of 101st soldiers show them wearing organizational beret flashes patterned after their unit's airborne background trimming and were worn with either their polished metal rank insignia, DUI, or chaplain branch insignia centered on the flash. Between 1976 and 1977, 101st soldiers would add their Airmobile Badge—renamed Air Assault Badge in 1978—to their berets and wore them to the left of their beret flash ''(see Example 7)''."Qualification Badges, Air Assault Badge"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, dated 18 January 1978, last accessed 16 October 2020 Other Fort Campbell units of the era also wore the dark–blue beret as well as red for headquarters command and light-green for military police, all with traditional organizational beret flashes that were worn in the same manner as they are today. Also during the 1970s, arctic–qualified soldiers of the 172nd Infantry Brigade began to wear locally authorized olive–drab berets with traditional organizational beret flashes that were unique to each battalion, company, troop, or battery and were worn in the same manner as they are today ''(see Example 8)''."1st Battalion 22nd Infantry, Regulars 76–78, 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry 1976–1978"
Image caption: ''(Photo taken when Don was with the 172nd INF BDE in Alaska, before being assigned to 1/22 Infantry. Note the olive drab beret. The 172nd was the only unit in the Army authorized to wear the olive beret.)'', by Don Krewson, dated 2011, last accessed 8 May 2021 By 1979, the Army put a stop to the use of berets by conventional forces, leaving only special forces and ranger units the authority to wear berets.

1980s

In 1980, the Army reversed part of its decision allowing airborne units to wear maroon berets, ranger units black berets—which switched to tan berets in 2001—and special forces units rifle–green berets.Army Regulation 670–1 (2002), Uniforms and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia
Department of the Army, dated 1 July 2002, last accessed 22 April 2020 The Army's 1981 uniform regulation describes the wear of these berets with the only authorized accoutrements being organizational beret flashes or recognition bars with officer rank insignias, chaplain branch insignias, DUIs affixed."Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) (US Military photo gallery)"
PBase.com, by Oly Olson, last accessed 4 July 2018 The organizational beret flash did not become the norm across the Army until 1984 when the recognition bar was discontinued after the Special Forces Tab became authorized for wear by special forces qualified paratroopers. Today, all soldiers assigned to a special forces unit wear their unit's organizational beret flash on either the rifle–green beret for special forces qualified paratroopers or maroon beret for support paratroopers.

2000s

In 2000, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Eric Shinseki, decided to make the black beret the standard headgear of the Army.
General Shinseki also decided that a new Department of the Army Beret Flash be worn on the black beret."Beret Flash, U.S. Army, A-4-187 ''(manufacturing production sheet)''"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry (courtesy of Eagles of War), dated 22 November 2000, last accessed 11 June 2020—a copy is also available on Wikimedia Commons at :File:US Army TIOH Manufacturing Instructions Sheet-Army Flash.png According to The Institute of Heraldry, the Department of the Army Beret Flash is designed to resemble the flag of the Commander–in–Chief of the Continental Army at the time of its victory at Yorktown in 1781."U.S. Army Beret Flash"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, dated 20 November 2000, last accessed 1 February 2021 According to Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1, the Department of the Army Beret Flash is to be worn by all units "unless authorization for another flash was granted before implementing the black beret as a standard Army headgear". Army units can request an organizational beret flash for their formation from The Institute of Heraldry given it is not for wear on the black beret."Clothing and Heraldry PSID"
US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, last accessed 8 September 2019
archive link
/ref> A good example of this is The Institute of Heraldry's 2018 authorization of organizational beret flashes for the Security Force Assistance Command and its brigades for wear on their brown berets—it is noteworthy to recognize that these beret flashes are the first organizational beret flashes authorized for a non–airborne unit in the modern Army."Authorized Insignia for the Security Force Assistance Command"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; AAMH-IHS; dated 16 November 2018; last accessed 14 April 2020"Beret Flash for the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; AAMH-IHS; dated 9 February 2018; last accessed 14 April 2020"Beret Flash for the 2d Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; AAMH-IHS; dated 7 June 2018; last accessed 14 April 2020"Beret Flash for the 3d Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; AAMH-IHS; dated 8 August 2018; last accessed 14 April 2020"Authorized Insignia for the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; AAMH-IHS; dated 8 January 2019; last accessed 14 April 2020"Authorized Insignia for the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; SAAA-IHS; dated 31 July 2019; last accessed 14 April 2020"Authorized Insignia for the 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; SAAA-IHS; dated 2 December 2019; last accessed 5 June 2020

In the 21st century, unlike the Department of the Army Beret Flash, Army organizational beret flashes often signify a specific formation of a specialized unit, such as an active airborne, ranger, special forces, or combat advisor unit. However, there is a unique beret flash worn by special forces paratroopers on their rifle–green beret when assigned to a unit not authorized an organizational beret flash; this is due to the rifle–green beret now represents a paratrooper's special forces qualification—in addition to the Special Forces Tab—rather than a special forces unit.

US Air Force

Weather Parachutes

In the mid 1960s, Air Force commando weathermen,"Special Operations Weather Team"
AFSOC, dated 12 August 2014, last accessed 14 November 2020 formally known as weather parachutists, with Detachment 26 of the 30th Weather Squadron and Detachment 32 of the 5th Weather Squadron informally wore black berets. A black cloth rectangle with a yellow embroidered anemometer surmounted by a fleur–de–lis with the words "Combat Weather" split by the anemometer was used as their beret flash. From 1970 through the 1980s, weather parachutists with the 5th Weather Squadron wore maroon berets with an Army style beret flash that incorporated the squadron's design and colors from their emblem's alchemical symbol for water and affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash. In 1979, weather parachutists were authorized to wear navy–blue berets with an Army style beret flash consisting of a blue and black field surrounded by yellow piping. Enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash while officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia. In 1986, the gray beret was authorized for wear by weather parachutists who continued to wear the aforementioned cloth beret flash until a new large color metallic Special Operations Weather Team Crest was authorized. In 1992, the Air Force approved the return of the weather parachutist's blue, black, and yellow beret flash from the 1970s and affixed their large color metallic Special Operations Weather Team Crest to it. In 1996, weather parachutists assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) began wearing a new Army style beret flash, known as the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash, while those assigned to Air Combat Command, known as Combat Weather Teams, continued to wear the blue, black and yellow beret flash."Special Operations Weather Technicians and Officers"
National Museum of the United States Air Force, dated 2 June 2015, last accessed 16 March 2020 The Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash consisted of a red border representing the blood shed by their predecessors, a black background representing special operations, and three diagonal lines of various colors representing the services they supported (green=Army, purple=joint forces, and blue=Air Force). Enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash while officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia until 2002 when the Combat Weather Team Crest was created. The Combat Weather Team Crest was affixed to both Special Operations Weather Team and Combat Weather Team Beret Flashes by enlisted and NCOs while officers continued to affix their polished metal rank insignia."Earning the gray beret"
Keesler Air Force Base public website, dated 10 June 2008, last accessed 18 July 2017"Christian Shepherd, 18th Weather Squadron Combat Weatherman"
flickr.com, dated 7 October 2007, last accessed 18 July 2017First African-American Female Grey Beret
93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing, by 1st Lt Katie Tamesis, dated 31 March 2022, last accessed 12 October 2022 In 2007/2008, the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash stopped being worn and in 2009—when the Special Operations Weather AFSC was established—a new large polished metallic Special Operations Weather Crest was approved for wear by special operations weather teams, with a modified version of the crest being worn by the now redesignated special reconnaissance airman in 2019."STS kicks off Kadena's remembrance ceremony"
353sog.af.mil, by SSgt Christopher Hummel, dated 12 November 2010, last accessed 8 March 2020335th TRS student receives Gray Beret
by Andre’ Askew (81st Training Wing Public Affairs), dated 28 March 2017, last accessed 9 August 2021"New USAF Special Warfare Symbol"
soldiersystems.net, dated 3 July 2019, last accessed 4 June 2022"Spec ops weathermen get name change, new mission to better fight great powers"
AirForceTimes, by Kyle Rempfer, dated 13 May 2019, last accessed 4 June 2022

Security Forces

In 1966/67, the newly formed 1041st Security Police Squadron was authorized to wear a dark–blue beret with a unique organizational beret flash."History of the Security Police Beret"
by Safeside Association, last accessed 5 July 2018"USAF Security Police Squadrons in Vietnam"
usmilitariaforum.com, posted 22 March 2009, last accessed 14 July 2017 The 1041st's beret flash has a depiction of a white falcon carrying a pair of lightning bolts on a somewhat pointed oval-shaped blue patch that was worn over the left temple. In 1976, the Air Force approved the navy-blue beret, worn by the Strategic Air Command Elite Guard and Air Force Combat Control Teams, as the official uniform item for all Air Force police and security forces.Brothers in Berets, The Evolution of Air Force Special Tactics, 1953–2003
Air University Press, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Maxwell Air Force Base, Air Force History and Museums Program, in conjunction with Air Force Special Operations Command; by Forrest L. Marion, PhD; dated January 2018; last accessed 1 April 2020 In 1997, the Air Force stood up the security forces AFSC and honored the heraldry of the 1041st Security Police Squadron by creating a new organizational beret flash for all security forces airman and NCOs. The new Security Forces Beret Flash depicts the 1041st's falcon over an airfield on a blue shield–shaped patch bordered in gold with a white scroll at its base embroidered with the motto "Defensor Fortis" (defenders of the force) in dark–blue title case. Security forces officers wear the same basic beret flash minus the embroidered falcon and airfield and in its place affix their polished metal rank insignia.

TACPs

In 1979, TACP airman and NCOs were given authorization to wear the black beret. In 1984, two TACP's submitted a design for a unique beret flash and crest for wear on their berets which the Air Force approved one year later. The TACP Beret Flash consists of a scarlet border that represent the firepower TACP's bring to bear with two dovetailed fields of blue and green representing the close working relationship between the Air Force and the Army that is enabled by the TACP."TACP – Flash and Crest Heraldry"
unknown author but suspected to be US Air Force, hosted on ClearedHotProduction YouTube Channel, posted 20 March 2012, last accessed 31 May 2020 TACP officers also wear the TACP Beret Flash and Crest but with miniature polished metal rank insignia below the crest and just above the inner–border of the beret flash."TACP Officer Assessment and Selection, Application Process"
airforce.com, dated FY2020, last accessed 7 March 2020""Garand Thumb," a US Air Force TACP Officer and YouTuber, photographed in his service dress uniform"
Facebook, public access photo (unrestricted), dated 27 September 2019, last accessed 5 March 2022 Also, air liaison officers assigned to an air support operations squadron or group can be given authorization to wear the black beret and TACP Beret Flash with full-size polished metal officer rank insignia (no crest)."274th ASOS and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies"
174attackwing.ang.af.mil, by SSgt James N. Faso, dated 4 June 2011, last accessed 8 March 2020"AFSC 13LX Air Liaison Officer, Career Field Education and Training Plan"
Department of the Air Force, dated 21 May 2013, last accessed 5 March 2020 Similarly, some Air Mobility Liaison Officers also wore the black beret. Although worn informally before then, in 2015 The Institute of Heraldry authorized a slight modification of the TACP Beret Flash for wear by Air Mobility Liaison Officers, incorporating an embroidered compass rose in the upper–left corner of the flash."USAF, Air Mobility Liaison Officer, A-4-299"
Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry (via the Eagles of War website), dated 20 January 2015, last accessed 6 September 2021 The Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash was worn in the same manner as Air Liaison Officers wear the TACP Beret Flash."More than a pilot: providing air support from the ground"
US Air Force, by A1C Daniel Phelps (20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs), dated 23 June 2011, last accessed 20 May 2020

Combat Aviation Advisors

From 2018–2022, AFSOC authorized the wear of the brown beret for airman, NCOs, and officers assigned to what was known as combat aviation advisor squadrons, such as the 6th and 711th Special Operations Squadrons.The end of the brown beret: Air Force special ops squadron shuts down after 28 years advising allied aviators
Task and Purpose, by David Roza, dated 10 October 2022, last accessed 10 October 2022 The brown beret—similar to the Army's brown beret—was worn with an Army style organizational beret flash consisting of a blue field with olive–green diagonal stripes and border. The Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash was worn centered over the left eye with polished metal officer rank insignia, chaplain branch insignia, or an AFSC metallic beret crest affixed to the beret flash while all other advisors wore it without accoutrements.Quiet Professionals don brown beret [Image 29 of 31]
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by SrA Joseph Pick (1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs), dated 6 January 2018, last accessed 6 November 2022

US Navy

In the 1960s, select US Navy riverine patrol units operating in South Vietnam adopted the black beret to be part of their daily uniform and wore various accouterments on their berets."Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam"
Naval Institute Press, by Thomas J. Cutler, dated 2000, , last accessed 24 October 2018"River Patrol Force/River Patrol Flotilla Five (TF-116), Operation Game Warden, 8 November 1967 – 3 November 1968"
by Thomas W. Glickman, dated 14 July 2008, last accessed 24 October 2018 In 1967, the Commander of the Riverine Patrol Force sent an official message to the Commander of River Patrol Flotilla Five authorizing the wear of the black beret. In this message, the wear and appearance of the beret was defined stating, "Beret will be worn with river patrol force insignia centered on right side" and "Only standard size river patrol force insignia will be worn on beret. ... No other emblem or rank insignia will be displayed on beret."
Naval History and Heritage Command, last accessed 13 April 2019 Today, these US Navy small boat units honor their heritage by wearing the black beret during special occasions—such as induction ceremonies into the Gamewardens Association"The Gamewardens Association, Vietnam to Present"
Official home of Task Force 116 and the Brown Water Navy, last accessed 16 January 2021—and will affix historically relevant riverine task force insignia for use as their beret flash. 101123-N-9095H-009 CAPT K.C. Levins, commanding officer of Assault Craft Unit 4, awards Chief Hull Technician Nathanael Crossett a Bronze, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael R. Hinchcliffe (US Navy), hosted on Wikimedia Commons, dated 23 November 2010, last accessed 16 January 2021 US Navy 110624-N-ZZ999-004 Electronics Technician 1st Class Edwin T. Benkin, right, receives the traditional black beret from Retired Capt. Bob Freed, by Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Scott Solis (US Navy), hosted on Wikimedia Commons, dated 24 June 2011, last accessed 16 January 2021"US Navy Riverines wearing berets now?"
SNAFU!, by "Solomon," dated 7 November 2014, last accessed 24 October 2018"Coastal Riverine Force establishment (Image 3 of 4)"
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by Petty Officer 1st Class Julian Olivari, dated 1 June 2012, last accessed 16 January 2021

Beret flashes of the US military

Joint

File:US Joint Communication Support Element Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Joint Communication Support Element-1st Squadron Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Joint Communication Support Element-2nd Squadron Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Joint Communication Support Element-4th Squadron Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Joint Communication Support Element-Communications Support Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Multinational Force and Observers Beret Flash-drawing.png,

:Obsolete

File:US Joint Communication Support Element-3rd Squadron Beret Flash.svg,

Air Force

File:Former US Air Force Combat Weather Team Beret Flash.svg,
File:USAF Security Forces beret flash.jpg,
File:USAF Security Forces flash-Officer.png,
File:USAF Air Liaison Officer Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:USAF Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash.svg,
File:USAF Combat Aviation Advisor flash.svg,
File:Former US Air Force Special Operations Weather Technician beret flash-1.svg,
File:Former US Air Force 5th Weather Squadron Beret Flash.svg,

Army

File:Beret flash of the United States Army.svg,

Adjutant general

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army Finance Element-Ft Wainwright.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-15th Adjutant General Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 18th Personnel Group Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 82nd Finance Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Personnel Services Battalion Beret Flash.png,

Air defense artillery

File:US Army 3rd Battalion-4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment Beret Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Battalion-3rd Air Defense Artillery Beret Flash.svg,

Armor and cavalry

File:91CavRegt1SquadFlash.jpg,
File:US Army 1st Sq-40th Cav Reg Flash.png,
File:US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:US Army 3rd Squadron-73rd Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st Squadron-73rd Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:US Army 5th Squadron-73rd Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Recon Platoon Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army historical armored cavalry regiment beret flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Regiment-Troop E Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 1st Cavalry Division-1st Squadron-9th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 10th Cavalry Regiment-3rd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-1st Battalion-8th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-2nd Battalion-8th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 11th Aviation Group-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-1st Battalion-5th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-2nd Battalion-5th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-3rd Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-2nd Battalion-7th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division-5th Battalion-7th Cavalry Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 68th Armor Regiment Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 4th Squadron-73rd Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 2nd Squadran-17th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.svg,

Aviation

File:USASOAC Flash.png,
File:US Army 160th SOAR Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-160th SOAR.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-160th SOAR.svg,
File:US Army 3rd BN-160th SOAR.svg,
File:US Army 4th BN-160th SOAR.svg,
File:US Army-82nd Aviation Regiment-Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-82nd Aviation Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-82nd Aviation Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 3rd BN-82nd Aviation Reg Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former 245th Special Operations Aviation Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 617th Special Operations Aviation Detachment.svg,
File:Former US Army 222nd Aviation Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:160thflash.png,
File:Former US Army Washington National Guard 81st Infantry Brigade-Aviation Section Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 22nd Aviation Detachment-Special Forces.svg,
File:Former US Army 22nd Aviation Detachment-Special Forces Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:US Army-Pathfinder Platoon-12th Aviation Brigade Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 11th Aviation Group-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 11th Aviation Brigade-Pathfinder Platoon Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 17th Aviation Brigade-Pathfinder Platoon Beret Flash.svg,
File:018 Aviation Brigade Flash.png,
File:US Army-1st Battalion-58th Aviation Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 229th Aviation Group Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 28th Infantry Detachment-Pathfinder Beret Flash-1st Version.svg,
File:Former 28th Infantry Detachment-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 129th Infantry Detachment-Pathfinder-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 77th Infantry Detachment-Pathfiner.svg,
File:Former US Army 76th Infantry Detachment-Pathfinder.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Aviation Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Battalion-82nd Aviation Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:01Bn82AvnFlash.png,
File:Former US Army 2nd Battalion-82nd Aviation Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Combat Aviation Battalion Beret Flash-1st version.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Combat Aviation Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 26th Infantry Platoon-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 79th Infantry Platoon-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 5th Infantry Platoon-Pathfinder Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 159th Combat Aviation Brigade Pathfinder Platoon Beret Flash.svg,

Chemical

:Obsolete

File:US Army 56th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 159th Combat Aviation Brigade Pathfinder Platoon Beret Flash.svg,

Civil affairs

File:US Army 416th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 426th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 360th Civil Affairs Bde Flash.png,
File:US Army 404th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 412th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 450th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 478th Civil Affairs Bn Flash.png,
File:95CivilAffairsBdeFlash.jpg,
File:US Army 91st Civil Affairs Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion Flash.png,
File:96 Civil Affairs Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army 97th Civil Affairs Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army 98th Civil Affairs Battalion Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former A Company-96 Civil Affairs Battalion Beret Flash.svg,

Engineers

File:US Army 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army 6th Bde Eng Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 84th Engineer Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 27th Engineer Bn Flash.png,
File:US Army 57th Engineer Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 161st Engineer Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 618th Engineer Co Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 127th Bde Engineer BN Flash.png,
File:US Army 37th Eng BN Flash.png,
File:US Army 307th Bde Eng BN Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 47th Engineer Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 562nd Engineer Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 20th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 8th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 20th Engineer Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:20 Eng Bde flash.png,
File:US Army 738th Engineer Company Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 919th Engineer Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 30th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 127th Brigade Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg,

Field artillery

File:US Army 4th BN-319th Field Arty Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd Bn-377th Arty Reg Flash.png,
File:82nd Airborne Division Artillery Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 3rd BN-319th Field Arty Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-319th Field Arty Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-319th Field Arty Reg Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army Battery C-4th Battalion-11th Field Artillery Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 8th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 37th Field Artillery Regiment-1st Battalion-C Battary Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 18th Airborne Corps Artillery.png,
File:18 FA Bde flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st Field Artillery Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 234th Field Artillery Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 1st Batalion-321st Field Artillery Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:1-377 FAR Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 2nd Batalion-321st Field Artillery Regiment Beret Flash.svg,

Infantry

File:US Army 173rd ABN INF BCT Flash.png,
File:US Army 143rd ABN INF BN Flash.png,
File:US Army 1st BN-503rd Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-503rd Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:75thrangerflash.svg,
File:1 Bn 75 Ranger Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Image5435.gif,
File:Image5436.gif,
File:Former US Army Alaska Early-Entry Command Post Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 4th Bde-25th ID Flash.png,
File:US Army 1st Bn-501st Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 3rd Bn-509th Inf Reg Flash.png,
File:US Army 2nd BN-134th INF Reg Flash.png,
File:US Army 82nd ABN DIV Flash.png,
File:504th Infantry Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-501st PIR Flash.png,
File:504InfRegt1BnFlash.PNG,
File:504InfRegt2BnFlash.png,
File:US Army-82nd Airborne Division-2nd Brigade Combat Team-Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-325th Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-325th Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-508th PIR Flash.png,
File:US Army-82nd Airborne Division-3rd Brigade Combat Team-Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-505th Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd BN-505th Inf Reg Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-508th PIR Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former 92nd Infantry Brigade-Puerto Rico National Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 36th Airborne Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 143rd Infantry Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 143rd Infantry Regiment-2nd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 172nd Infantry Brigade Beret Flash-2nd version.svg,
File:Former US Army 9th Infantry Regiment-4th Battalion-C Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 23rd Infantry Regiment-4th Battalion-C Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-60th Inf Reg-172nd Inf BDE Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 327th Infantry Regiment-4th Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 327th Infantry Regiment-5th Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 327th Infantry Regiment-6th Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 5th Infantry Regiment-3rd Battalion-A Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 509th Infantry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 75 Ranger Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 75 Ranger Regiment-1st Battalion-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 75 Ranger Regiment-2nd Battalion-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 75 Ranger Regiment-3rd Battalion-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Airborne Division-1st Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 504th Infantry Regiment-3rd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Airborne Division-2nd Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 325th Infantry Regiment-3rd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 325th Infantry Regiment-4th Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 82nd Airborne Division-3rd Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 505th Infantry Regiment-3rd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 505th Infantry Regiment-4th Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 4th Brigade Combat Team-82nd Airborne Division Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 101 Airborne Division Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101 Airborne Division-1st Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 327th Infantry Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 327th Infantry Regiment-2nd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 502nd Infantry Regiment-2nd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101 Airborne Division-2nd Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 502nd Infantry Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 506th Infantry Regiment-1st Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101 Airborne Division-3rd Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 187th Infantry Regiment-3rd Battalion Beret Flash.svg,

Logistics

File:Defense Logistics Agency-Defense Distribution Depot-Army Element Flash.png,
File:US Army 165th Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army Airborne Procurement Team flash.png,
File:US Army 56th Quartermaster Rigger Support Team Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army Airborne Test Force flash.png,
File:OTC beret flash.gif,
File:US Army 647th Quartermaster Company Flash.png,
File:US Army 4th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 5th QM Co Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 294th Quartermaster Company Flash.png,
File:US Army 36th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 11th Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 333rd Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 470th Quartermaster Company Flash.png,
File:US Army 824th Quartermaster Company Flash.svg,
File:US Army 346th Quartermaster Company Flash.png,
File:US Army 421st Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 861st Quartermaster Company Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 29th Transportation Battalion.svg,
File:Former US Army 561st Maintenance Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 87th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Support and Transport Battalion Beret Flash-Original version.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Support and Transport Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Support and Transport Battalion-A Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Support and Transport Battalion-B Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-27th Maintenance Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 527th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 600th Quartermaster Company-Aerial Delivery-v2.svg,
File:Former US Army 612th Quartermaster Company-Aerial Delivery.svg,
File:Former US Army 623rd Quartermaster Company-Aerial Delivery.svg,
File:Former US Army 5th Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 33rd Aviation Maintenance Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 407th Bde Support BN Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 782nd Maintenance Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 53rd Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 383rd Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png,

Medical

File:US Army 67th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 240th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.png,
File:274th FST Beret Flash.jpg,
File:US Army 541st Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 759th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 8th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 250th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 86th Combat Support Hospital Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Medical Battalion Beret Flash-Original version.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-15th Medical Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 4th Medical Battalion-Company C Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 44th Medical Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 307th Bde Support BN Flash.svg,
File:US Army 250th Medical Detachment Beret Flash.png,

Military intelligence

File:US Army SFC MI BN Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army-C Troop-1st Squadron-131st Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 207th Infantry Group LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 121st Infantry-H Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army-C Troop-2nd Squadron-152nd Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army-C Troop-1st Squadron-158th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 425th Regimental-F Company LRS.svg,
File:Former US Army-C Troop-3rd Squadron-124th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 143rd Infantry Regiment-Company G-LRS.svg,
File:Former US Army 1136th Infantry Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 105th Military Intelligence battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 74th Infantry Detachment-LRS Beret Flash.svg,
File:313th MI BN Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 14th Military Intelligence Battalion-C Company.svg,
File:Former US Army-C Troop-38th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Beret Flash C troop 3-38 Cav Rgt.jpg,
File:Former US Army-C Company-52nd Infantry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 312th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101st Military Intelligence Battalion-D Company-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 337th Military Intelligence Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 2nd Armored Division-303rd Army Security Agency Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 38 Cavalry Regiment-2nd Squadron-C Troop Beret Flash-v1.svg,
File:Beret Flash C troop 2-38 Cav Rgt.jpg,
File:Former US Army 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash-Original version.svg,
File:Former US Army 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 103rd Military Intelligence battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 104th Military Intelligence battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:51st IN Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 106th Military Intelligence battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 107th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 108th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 109th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRS Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 110th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 525th Military Intelligence Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Beret Flash C troop 1-38 Cav Rgt.jpg,
File:Former US Army 124th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 25th Infantry Division-LRSD Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 125th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 173rd Infantry Detachment LRS Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 104th Infantry Detachment Beret Flash-1st Version.svg,
File:Former 104th Infantry Detachment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 194th Infantry Detachment LRS Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 167th Cavalry Regiment-1st Squadran LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 18th Cavalry Regiment-1st Squadron-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101st Cavalry Regiment-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 117th Cavalry Regiment-5th Squadron LRSD Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 311th Military Intelligence Battalion-LRSD Beret Flash.svg,

Military police

File:US Army 10th Military Police Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:16 MP Bde flash.png,
File:US Army 21st MP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 65th MP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 108th MP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 118th MP Co Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 472nd Military Police Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 101st and 553rd Military Police Companies Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 16th Military Police Group Beret Flash.svg,

Multidisciplinary units

File:JSOC flash.png,
File:US Army 56th Troops Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:SOCAFRICA flash.png,
File:SOCCENT flash.png,
File:SOCEUR flash.png,
File:SOCKOR flash.png,
File:SOCNORTH flash.png,
File:SOCPAC flash.png,
File:SOCSOUTH flash.svg,
File:SHAPE Special Projects Branch-US Army Element Beret Flash.png,
File:United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) beret flash.png,
File:US Army 173rd Bde Support BN Flash.png,
File:US Army Futures Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:USASOC flash.gif,
File:US Army Joint Task Force Bravo Beret Flash.svg,
File:USSOCOM flash.png,
File:US Army 1st Special Forces Command Flash.png,
File:US Army 528th Support Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army 197th Special Troops Support Company Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 725th Bde Support Bn Flash.png,
File:HHC18ABCorpsBeretFlash.PNG,
File:US Army 82nd Sustainment Brigade Flash.png,
File:US Army 307th Bde Support BN Flash.svg,
File:US Army 407th Bde Support BN Flash.svg,
File:US Army 82nd Bde Support BN Flash.png,
File:US Army 122nd Aviation Support Bn Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:US Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters Beret Flash-v1.svg,
File:US Puerto Rico State Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters-Command and Control Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former Puerto Rico National Guard-292nd Area Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former Special Operations Command East Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former Special Operations Command-Joint Forces Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army Special Operations Task Force Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 173rd Airborne Brigade-Combat Support Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:STB173AirborneBCTFlash.jpg,
File:Former US Army Forces Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Forces Command-Joint Task Force Deployable-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Garrison-Fort Bragg Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army Alaska Early-Entry Command Post Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Reserve Special Operations Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:SETAF beret flash.gif,
File:Former US Army Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Special Operations Command Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 13th Support Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:1 TSC flash.png,
File:Former US Army 3rd Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 4th Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 5th Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 6th Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash-original version.svg,
File:Former US Army 6th Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 7th Special Operations Support Command Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 25th Infantry Division, 4th BCT, STB Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 167th Brigade Support Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:82AirborneDivSTBFlash.jpg,
File:Former 82nd Airborne Division-1st BCT-STB Beret Flash.png,
File:82AirborneDiv2BdeSTBFlash.jpg,
File:82AirborneDiv3BdeSTBFlash.jpg,
File:82AirborneDiv4BCTSTBFlash.jpg,
File:Former US Army 782nd Maintenance Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:Former 101st Division Support Command Beret Flash.svg,

Ordnance

File:28 Ord Co beret flash.png,
File:722nd Ordnance Co beret flash.png,
File:767th Ordnance Co beret flash.png,

Psychological operations

File:US Army 310th Psychological Operations Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 15th PSYOP BN Flash.png,
File:US Army 301st Tactical PSYOP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 344th Tactical PSYOP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 345th Tactical PSYOP Co Flash.png,
File:US Army 4th Military Information Support Group Flash.png,
File:US Army 3rd MISB Flash.png,
File:US Army 7th MISB Flash.png,
File:US Army 8th MSIB Flash.png,
File:US Army 8th Military Information Support Group Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army 325th Psychological Operations Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 346th Psychological Operations Company Beret Flash.svg,

Public affairs

File:Golden knights beret flash.gif,
File:US Army 49th Public Affairs Detachment Flash.png,

Signal

File:USSOCOM-JSOC-JCU Beret Flash-Army Element.png,
File:US Army 112th SIG BN Flash.svg,
File:US Army 55st Signal Company Flash.png,
File:US Army 982nd Signal Company Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former JSOC Joint Communications Unit–Army element-Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army Airborne Communications and Electronics Board Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Division Support Command-13th Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 35th Signal Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 50th Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 51st Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 327th Signal Battalion Beret Flash-v1.svg,
File:Former 327th Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 426th Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 82nd Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former 501st Signal Battalion Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 982nd Signal Company Beret Flash.svg,

Special forces

File:20th Special Forces Group flash.png,
File:US Army Special Forces Personnel in non-Special Forces units flash.png,
File:19sfg.png,
File:1sfg.png,
File:3sfg.svg,
File:5th SFG Beret Flash.png,
File:7th Special Forces Group.svg,
File:USA - 10th Special Forces Flash.png,
File:US Army 39th SFD Beret Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:US Army 20th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army 38th Special Forces Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st Special Forces Command-Joint Staff Element flash.svg,
File:Former Joint Casualty Resolution Center-Special Forces Element Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 19th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Reserve Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Reserve Recognition Bar.svg,
File:US Army 1st SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:US Army 3rd SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:5SFG flash.gif,
File:US Army 5th SFG Recognition Bar-v2.svg,
File:US Army 5th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:6sfg.png,
File:Former US Army 6th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:US Army 7th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:US Army 8th SFG beret flash.svg,
File:US Army 8th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:US Army 10th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Detachment-Europe.png,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Detachment-Europe Recognition Bar.svg,
File:11thSFG Flash.png,
File:US Army 11th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:12SFG beret flash.svg,
File:US Army 12th SFG Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army 46th Special Forces Company Beret Flash.svg,

Training

File:US Army JRTC Flash.png,
File:US Army 1st Bn-509th Inf Reg Flash.png,
File:Security Force Assistance Command Flash.svg,
File:1st Security Force Assistance Brigade Flash.svg,
File:US Army 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade Flash.svg,
File:US Army 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade Flash.svg,
File:US Army 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army Airborne and Ranger Training Bde Flash.svg,
File:US Army 1st BN-507th Inf Reg Flash.png,
File:USAJFKSWCS flash.gif,
File:US Army Special Warfare NCO Academy Flash.png,
File:US Army Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute Flash.png,
File:US Army Special Warfare Medical Group Flash.png,
File:US Army Special Warfare Training Group Flash.png,
File:US Army 2nd Special Warfare Training Group Flash.png,
File:US Army JROTC Flash.png,
File:US Army C Company, 262nd Quartermaster Battalion Flash.png,
File:US Army Airborne-Airlift Action Office Beret Flash.svg,
File:US DoD-Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation-Training Battalion Beret Flash.png,
File:US Army 18th Airborne Corps NCO Academy Flash.png,
File:US Army Advanced Airborne School Flash.png,

:Obsolete

File:Former US Army Light Infantry and Task Force Observer-Controller Team Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army JRTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School–Army Element Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army US Army Academy of Health Sciences-Academy Brigade-3rd Battalion-F Company Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Armor School-Armor Committee Group Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Armor School Instructor Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Armor School Instructor Training Course Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army-1st Armor Training Brigade Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army-D Company-3rd Squadron-16th Cavalry Regiment Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army 194th Armored Brigade-3rd Battalion-3rd Field Artillery.svg,
File:Former US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 194th Armored Brigade-5th Battalion-33rd Armor and 4th Battalion-37th Armor Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 194th Armored Brigade 4th Battalion-54th Infantry Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 509th Infantry C Company-Pathfinder-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army 511th Infantry Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Army Infantry School-Airborne Department Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Infantry School-Ranger Department Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former US Army 187th Infantry Detachment-Pathfinder-Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Mountain Warfare School Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Army Aerial Delivery and Field Services Department Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Training Group Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Special Forces Training Group Recognition bar.svg,
File:US Army Special Warfare Education Group Flash.png,
File:Former US Army JROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team Beret Flash-v2.svg,
File:Former US Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former Drexel University AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former SW Missouri State University AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former University of North Carolina AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former University of Puerto Rico AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former University of Utah AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former University of Utah AROTC Recognition Bar.svg,
File:Former Western Michigan University AROTC Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army School of the Americas-Special and Civil Operations Department Beret Flash.png,
File:Former US Military Academy-Airborne Detachment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Military Academy-Airborne Detachment type 2 Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Army Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School Beret Flash.svg,

State defense forces

The state defense forces—also known as state guard, state military reserve, or militia—in many US states and territories wear modified versions of Army uniforms."Evaluation of Department of Defense Interaction with State Defense Forces, Report No. DODIG-2014-065"
Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, dated 30 April 2014, last accessed 30 October 2022"SDF Times, Spring 2017"
State Guard Association of the United States, dated 2017, last accessed 30 October 2022 To help separate state guard units from Army units, such as the Army National Guard, they will often wear unique name tape, badges, shoulder sleeve insignia, and/or headgear. If the militia unit chooses to wear the Army black beret, a unique organizational beret flash is worn to help further distinguish them from Army units."Wear and Appearance of California State Military Reserve Uniforms and Insignia, California State Military Reserve Regulation 670-1 and Instruction 36-2903"
California State Military Reserve, dated 1 April 2008, last accessed 30 October 2022"Wear and Appearance of Virginia Defense Force Uniforms and Insignia, Virginia Defense Force Regulation 670-1"
Virginia Defense Force, dated 1 February 2016, last accessed 10 December 2022 These state military reserve organizational beret flashes are worn in the same manner as Army beret flashes are today. The following is a list of some organizational beret flashes worn by various state and territory militia units:

File:SDF Flash.GIF,

State or territory specific

File:US California State Military Reserve Beret Flash.svg,
File:Maryland Defense Force Beret Flash.svg,
File:New York Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Puerto Rico State Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:Puerto Rico State Guard-Air Division-Security Forces Beret Flash.png,
File:US Texas State Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Washington State Guard Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Washington State Guard-1st Brigade-Beret Flash.svg,
File:US Washington State Guard-2nd Brigade-Beret Flash.svg,

:Obsolete

File:Former DC Defense Force Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former NC State Guard 83rd Regiment Beret Flash.svg,
File:Former US Texas State Guard-404th Military Police Battalion Beret Flash.svg,

See also

* Uniforms of the United States Army
* Uniforms of the United States Air Force
* Uniforms of the United States Navy
* Badges of the United States Army
* Badges of the United States Air Force
* Obsolete badges of the United States military

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Military Beret Flash
Heraldry of the United States military
Heraldry of the United States Army