Military beret - wikipedia Military beret A Ukrainian military cadet in a light blue beret. Berets have been a component of the uniforms of many armed forces throughout the world since the mid-20th century. Military berets are usually pushed to the right to free the shoulder that bears the rifle on most soldiers, but the armies of some countries, mostly some countries within Europe, South America and Iran have influenced the push to the left. In some countries, berets are associated with elite units, who often wear berets in more unusual colours. The maroon beret is traditional for elite units in the western world. Contents 1 History 2 Military berets by country 2.1 Afghanistan 2.2 Algeria 2.3 Angola 2.4 Argentina 2.5 Armenia 2.6 Australia 2.7 Austria 2.8 Azerbaijan 2.9 Bahrain 2.10 Bangladesh 2.11 Belgium 2.12 Benin 2.13 Bolivia 2.14 Brazil 2.15 Bulgaria 2.16 Cambodia 2.17 Cameroon 2.18 Canada 2.19 Chile 2.20 China 2.21 Colombia 2.22 Croatia 2.23 Cuba 2.24 Czech Republic 2.25 Denmark 2.26 Ecuador 2.27 Egypt 2.28 Eritrea 2.29 Estonia 2.30 Finland 2.31 France 2.32 Gabon 2.33 Germany 2.34 Ghana 2.35 Greece 2.36 Guatemala 2.37 Hungary 2.38 Iceland 2.39 India 2.40 Indonesia 2.41 Iran 2.42 Iraq 2.43 Ireland 2.44 Israel 2.45 Italy 2.46 Japan 2.47 Jordan 2.48 Kazakhstan 2.49 Kenya 2.50 Kuwait 2.51 Latvia 2.52 Lebanon 2.53 Lithuania 2.54 Malaysia 2.55 Maldives 2.56 Mali 2.57 Mexico 2.58 Mongolia 2.59 Morocco 2.60 Mozambique 2.61 Nepal 2.62 Netherlands 2.63 New Zealand 2.64 Nicaragua 2.65 Nigeria 2.66 Norway 2.67 Pakistan 2.68 Paraguay 2.69 Panama 2.70 Philippines 2.71 Poland 2.72 Portugal 2.73 Rhodesia 2.74 Romania 2.75 Russian Federation 2.76 Saudi Arabia 2.77 Senegal 2.78 Serbia 2.79 Singapore 2.80 Slovakia 2.81 Slovenia 2.82 South Africa 2.83 South Korea 2.84 South Vietnam 2.85 Spain 2.86 Sri Lanka 2.87 Sweden 2.88 Sudan 2.89 Switzerland 2.90 Thailand 2.91 Togo 2.92 Turkey 2.93 United Arab Emirates 2.94 United Kingdom 2.94. 1 Beret Colours 2.95 United States 2.96 Uruguay 2.97 Vatican State 2.98 Venezuela 2.99 Vietnam 2.100 Zambia 2.101 Zimbabwe 3 International forces 3.1 United Nations 3.2 Multinational Force and Observers 3.3 African Union 4 Camouflage berets 4.1 History 4.2 Users 5 See also 6 References History US Army Private wearing black beret with Distinctive Unit Insignia on the US Army beret flash The use of beret - like headgear by the military of Europe dates back hundreds of years, the first example being the Scottish Blue Bonnet, that became a de facto symbol of Scottish Jacobite forces in the 16th and 17th centuries. As an officially required military headdress, its use dates back to the Carlist Wars of Succession for the Spanish Crown in the 1830s by order of Carlist General Tomás de Zumalacárregui who wanted a local and non-costly way to make headgear that was resistant to the mountain weather, easy to care for and could be used on formal occasions. The French Chasseurs alpins, created in the early 1880s, were the first regular unit to wear the military beret as a standard headgear. These mountain troops were issued with a uniform which included several features which were innovative for the time, notably the large and floppy blue beret which they still retain. This was so unfamiliar a fashion outside France that it had to be described in the Encyclopædia Britannica of 1911 as `` a soft cap or tam o'shanter ''. Berets have features that make them attractive to the military : they are cheap, easy to make in large numbers, can be manufactured in a wide range of colors, can be rolled up and stuffed into a pocket or beneath the shirt epaulette without damage, and can be worn with headphones ( this is one of the reasons why early tank crews adopted the beret ). The beret is not so useful in field conditions for the modern infantryman, who requires protective helmets, and non-camouflage versions are seldom seen on operations. The beret was found particularly useful as a uniform for armored - vehicle crews, and the British Tank Corps ( later Royal Tank Corps ) adopted the headdress as early as 1918. German AFV crews in the late 1930s also adopted a beret with the addition of a padded crash helmet inside. The color black became popular as a tank - crew headdress, since it did not show oil stains picked up inside the interior of a vehicle. Black berets continue to be worn by armored regiments in many armies. An unusual form of beret is the camouflage beret, mostly issued to special forces. Countries that have issued camouflage berets include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, PRC, Denmark, Ecuador, Israel, Paraguay, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand. Berets have become the default military headdress of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, just as the morion, tricorne, shako, kepi, and peaked cap were each common headgear in their own respective eras. As recorded below the beret is now worn by many military personnel of the majority of nations around the globe. Military berets by country Afghanistan Most berets are used by senior enlisted personnel and officers. Colour Wearer Forest Green Afghan Armed Forces Maroon Commandos Tan Special Forces Cerulean Afghan National Police Algeria Algerian para-commandos Light green berets are used by para-commando units. Angola In the Angola Armed Forces, the following berets are in use : Colour Wearer Green Páraquedistas ( Paratroopers ) Brown Army general use Black Navy and Fuzileiros Navais ( Marines ) Red Commandos Medium blue Air Force Argentina Berets are worn by some units in the Argentine Armed Forces, with distinctive colors for some units or functions. The beret colours are as follows : Army Colour Wearer Dark Green 601 Commando Company, 602 Commando Company, Jungle troops Black Armor & mechanized infantry troops Scarlet Paratroops Claret 601 Air Assault Regiment Tan Mountain troops Dark Blue Army aviation Brown Army tactical divers Olive green All other army units Navy Colour Wearer Dark Green Amphibious Commandos Group Black Naval Infantry Command in the windy southern regions Brown Navy Tactical Divers Group Air force, Gendermarie & Others Colour Wearer Dark Blue Air Force Special Operations group Dark Green Other gendermarie units Orange Instituto Antártico Argentino UN blue United Nations operations Armenia The Armed Forces continue to wear Soviet - style ( pieced fabric ) berets, which are draped to the right in most circumstances. When appearing in public on parade, the berets are draped to the left side so that the insignia shows to observing dignitaries and the public. Light blue - Airborne Forces, Peacekeeping Forces Black - Interior Ministry Troops Wine red - Interior Ministry Special Troops Bright Green - Border Guards Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, dark blue berets are an optional uniform item available to all members, with distinguishing badges to identify the ranks of Sailors and Officers. Berets are worn by all corps in the Australian Army, with distinctive colours for some units : Black -- Royal Australian Armoured Corps Sand -- Special Air Service Regiment Light blue -- Australian Army Aviation Scarlet -- Royal Australian Corps of Military Police Dull cherry -- 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Parachute Riggers ( RAAOC ) Rifle green -- Royal Australian Regiment Sherwood green -- 1st Commando Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment Slate grey -- Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps Dark blue -- Royal Australian Navy Sailors, mainly Clearance Divers Terracotta - worn by Multinational Force and Observers contingents. Dark blue - Royal Australian Air Force Security Forces Squadron. Aircraft grey - No. 4 Squadron RAAF Combat Control Team. In all cases, the beret is ' bashed ' to the right, and a badge or insignia is worn above the left eye. Austria Austrian green beret with silver coat of arms. Berets are common in most parts of the Army, and are usually worn for special occasions, but also regularly by certain forces. Officers wear a gold coat of arms emblem on the left side, and enlisted personnel wear silver. Members of the Jagdkommandos who have completed the Jagdkommandogrundkurs ( English : Hunting Command Basic Course ) instead wear the Jagdkommando badge on their berets. Colour Wearer Green Infantry, and all other units Black Armor & Panzergrenadier troops Scarlet Gardebataillon Red Jägerbataillon 25 Coral Military Police Rust Brown Leadership Support School and Leadership Support Battallions Pike Grey ABC Defense School Dark Blue Army Logistics School and Command Support Service Yellow Green Athletes of the Armed Forces Sports Centers Olive Jagdkommandos UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Azerbaijan Colour Wearer Green State Border Service ( Azerbaijan ) Mobile Divisions Black Azerbaijani National Guard Mobile Divisions Red Internal Troops of Azerbaijan, Special Forces of Azerbaijan Medium blue Internal Troops of Azerbaijan Special Purpose Police Unit Bahrain Black - Royal Bahraini Army and Royal Bahraini Naval Force Blue - Royal Bahraini Air Force Red - Military Police Tan - Special Forces Green - Royal Guard Olive Green - National Guard Maroon - Public Security Forces Dark Blue - Coast Guard Dark Green - Harasat Bangladesh Black -- Artillery, Armoured corps, Signals and all officers from and above the rank of Colonel Bangladesh Green -- Infantry Dull Cherry -- Army Medical corps Scarlet -- Military police Maroon -- Commandos Royal Blue -- Engineers, Service corps Dark Blue -- Education corps, Electrical and mechanical engineers, Ordnance, Artillery, Army Dental corps, Naval Service Any color with feathers - Cadet UN Blue -- Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Belgium Initially, the only unit of the Belgian military to wear berets were the Chasseurs Ardennais from the 1930s. Since World War II they have been adopted by all units. Berets vary in colour according to the regiment, and carry a badge ( sometimes on a coloured shield - shaped patch ) which is of gilt for officers, silver for non-commissioned officers and bronze for other ranks. Members of cavalry units all wear silver coloured badges. A Belgian UN peacekeeper in Somalia, wearing a standard UN blue beret and badge, 1993. Colour Wearer Black Armoured troops, Guides ( Scouts ), Chasseurs à Cheval and some engineer units Dark Green Medical component Green 2 Commando, Paracommando Field Artillery and the Commando Training Centre Olive Green ( Large - brimmed, basque type with folded - in brim and wild boar 's head badge ) -- Chasseurs Ardennais Dark Blue Artillery and Royal Military Academy Navy Blue ( No metal cap badge, but embroidered crest ) -- Navy component ( Formerly also naval infantry with metal badge ) Cobalt Blue Logistics and administration troops Blue Grey Air component Light Blue Former Land component Light Aviation ( now part of Air Component ) Maroon Paracommando Immediate Reaction Cell ( HQ ), 1 Para, 3 Para, Special Forces Group, Parachute Training Centre Red Military police Brown Infantry, Chasseurs à Pieds and Belgian United Nations Command ( during the Korean War ) Khaki `` General service '' beret with lion badge worn on training by all troops ( Obsolete ) Grey Transmission troops and some engineer units UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Benin Colour Wearer Black Armoured corps Green Infantry and other Army units Dark Blue Gendarmerie Maroon Paratroopers Bolivia Berets in Bolivian Army : Black -- Paratroopers Maroon -- Armoured Corps Green -- Special Operations Forces, Commandos Camouflage -- Special Forces `` Bolivian Condors '' Tan -- Mountain Infantry ( Satinadores de Montaña ) Blue -- Engineer units Berets in Bolivian Air Force : Royal Blue - Air Force Infantry personnel Brazil Colour Wearer Olive green All other Army units Brown Were used by Units of the COPESP ( As of 2016 is being replaced by Wine Red Berets, For who is a Paratrooper, or Olive Green Barets and Black Caps ) Black Used by Armored and Mechanized Cavalry / Infantry Brigades. Scarlet red Students of Colégio Militar ( middle and high school ). Grey Mountain Units, From the 4 ° Light Infantry Brigade ( No longer used ) Dark blue Students of Military Formation Schools ( Cadets, Officer Candidates, NCO Candidates ) Royal blue Army aviation, From the CAvEx. Wine red Paratroopers Camouflage Jungle troops ( stopped being used in 2012 and will resume usage in early 2017 ) Tan Air Assault Units ( From the 12 ° Light Infantry Brigade ) UN blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Bulgaria Berets have been worn by Bulgarian military personnel since 1991. Berets vary in colour according to the military branch, and carry a crest pin ( sometimes on a coloured background patch ) resembling the unit 's insignia. Red -- Bulgarian Land Forces and the counter-terrorism police detachment SOBT Light blue -- Bulgarian Air Force and the 68th Special Forces Brigade Black -- Bulgarian Navy SOF and the Gendarmerie Green -- Military police Cambodia Dark red - 911 Special Forces Regiment Royal Purple - Military Police Cameroon Bataillon des Troupes Aéroportées ( Airborne Battalion ) - dark red / maroon Bataillon Spécial Amphibie ( Special Amphibious Battalion ) - light green Bataillon d'Intervention Rapide ( Rapid Intervention Battalion ) - light green Fusiliers de l'Air ( Air Force Infantry ) - royal blue Fusiliers Marins ( Marine Infantry ) - black Garde Presidentielle ( Presidential Guard ) - royal purple Canada Main article Uniforms of the Canadian Forces # Berets The colour of the beret is determined by the wearer 's environment, branch, or mission. The beret colours listed below are the current standard : Colour Wearer Air force blue Air force Black Armoured, Royal Canadian Navy CF Green Army Scarlet Military police Maroon Paratroopers serving in active jump companies Blaze orange Search - and - rescue technicians Terracotta Personnel serving with the Multinational Force and Observers Tan Special operations forces UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Chile Berets in Chilean Army : Black -- Special Operations Forces ( Fuerzas Especiales ), Comandos and Paratroopers ( Paracaidistas ) Maroon -- Armoured Corps Green -- Mountain troops ( Tropas de Montaña ) Berets in Chilean Navy : Black -- Combat crews and Maritime Boarding and Police operatives Green -- Combat Divers ( Navy ) and Comandos Anfibio ( Marine Corps Special Operations ) Berets in Chilean Air Force : Dark blue -- Parachuting demonstration group Boinas Azules and Ground troops Black -- Special forces China Since May 5, 2000, the People 's Liberation Army has adopted woolen berets for all its personnel, along with the traditional peaked caps. Type 99 beret Olive green -- Ground Forces and Strategic Forces Dark blue -- Navy Black - Marine corps Blue - grey -- Air Force ( including Airborne troops ) Berets were not officially adopted by the CAPF, but some of the forces issued their own types NOT OFFICIAL : Red -- CAPF Provincial Women Special Police Corps Dark blue -- Public Security Police SWAT During the 80s, camo berets were issued to some of the recon forces of PLA. It has no badge on it. Type 07 uniform is being issued to both PLA and CAPF on August 1, 2007. Colours of 07 berets are changed to the same colours with the service uniform. And several changes in designs were made from type 99 beret. The berets were not being issued until summer of 2009 to most of the troops. Other than colours of the berets, the most significant difference between type 99 and type 07 is the type 99 beret badge is cloth, while type 07 is plastic. Colombia Berets are worn by all personnel of the National Army of Colombia ( Ejército ), certain members of the Navy ( Armada ) and National Police ( Policía Nacional ), with distinctive colors for some units or functions. The beret colors are : Colour Wearer in Army Wearer in Navy Wearer in Police Black Lancero, Personal Freedom Unified Action Group ( GAULA ), Lanceros School Naval Infantry Special Operations Commands ( COPES ) Hunter Green Ground Operations Units Special Operations Groups ( GOES ) Orange Infantry battalion ( COLBATT ) in Multinational Force and Observers ( MTO ) Prussian Blue Aerotransported units and Paratroopers School Red Wine Urban Special Forces Terracotta Special Forces UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Croatia In the Croatian Army berets are used in special forces and guard brigades, as well as in cadet battalion. During Croatian War of Independence, Croatian Army consisted of seven professional brigades -- guard brigades, each having its beret colour. During the army reforms number of guard brigades was cut to two, but the battalions kept the names and insignia ( colour of beret also ) of ex brigades. Joint staff : Green with golden cap badge -- Joint staff Red -- presidential guard on their battledress uniforms Green ( badge on the right ) -- Special Operations Battalion Black -- Military police Guard brigades : Armored Mechanized Guard Brigade Black -- 1st Mechanized Battalion `` Sokolovi '' Brown -- 2nd Mechanized Battalion `` Pume '' Black -- Tank Battalion `` Kune '' Motorized Guard Brigade Black -- 1st Mechanized Battalion `` Tigrovi '' Green -- 2nd Mechanized Battalion `` Gromovi '' Black -- 1st Motorized Battalion `` Vukovi '' Red -- 2nd Motorized Battalion `` Pauci '' Black beret is also used in Cadet battalion. Also dark blue beret is used in Croatian Navy. Cuba In the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, the following berets are in use : Colour Wearer Black Tank troops ( tanquistas ) wear black berets ( including the `` Gran Unidad Rescate de Sanguily '' ) ; also the special troops ( Brigada Especial Nacional `` Gallitos Negros '' ) of the interior ministry ( MININT ). Red The military police ( Tropas de Prevención ) wear red berets. Olive Green Special forces ( Tropas Especiales `` Avispas Negras '' ) since 2011, wear olive green berets ( formerly wearing red berets ). Olive Militias ( Milicias de Tropas Territoriales ) wear olive - colored berets Czech Republic The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic use berets for both battledress and display uniform. The colour of the beret is defined by the branch of the armed forces. The beret displays the state coat of arms with two swords crossed underneath and the badge of rank of the individual. Colour Wearer Black Military Police Dark Green Reconnaissance troops Dark Blue Air Force Maroon 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, 601st Special Forces Group Orange Civil defence troops Grey Logistics, Medical troops Light Green Other ground forces ( mechanised infantry, armour, artillery, NBC protection, Engineering Brigades, etc. ) Denmark The Royal Danish Army first introduced berets for its armour personnel in 1958. It was later extended to the whole army, Homeguard and parts of the Navy and Airforce, replacing the standard issue Side cap. Colour Wearer Black All Army combat units : JDR, GHR, LG, HKIC, Garnisonskommandant Vordingborg and 1DAA Green All Army non-combat units : Engineers, Logistics, Army Intelligence Center, Army Home Guard Blue Signal troops Dark Blue Royal Danish Navy ; Naval Home Guard Light Blue Grey Royal Danish Air Force ; Air Force Home Guard Maroon Jægerkorpset, SOKOM Red Military Police ( All Branches ) Light Blue ( or `` Mouse Grey '' ) Army Air Service, Disbanded Dark brown Danish Women 's Voluntarily Corp ( Dansk Lottekorps ), Disbanded UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Ecuador Berets are worn by all personnel of the Ecuadorian Army ( Ejército ) and certain members of the Navy ( Armada ) and Air Force ( Fuerza Aérea ), with distinctive colours for some units or functions. The beret colours are : Colour Wearer Black Military Police ; Naval Infantry ( Infantería de Marina ) Dark Green all other Army units ; National Police GIR ( Intervention & Rescue Unit ) Dark Blue Army Aviation ( Aviación del Ejército ) ; Air Force Aerial Infantry ( Infantería Aérea ) Royal blue Air Force Security Police Red Paratroopers and Special Operations Forces Grey for use with the dress uniform ( 4 - B ) for those forces using the dark green beret Camouflage IWIA ( indigenous tribal members unit ) forces Egypt Maroon -- Paratroopers Forest green -- Armour Dark blue -- Infantry Dark blue with red band -- Presidential Guard Black -- Artillery Red -- Military Police Green -- Engineers Eritrea All personnel of the EDF or Eritrean Defense Forces wear Berets. Red -- Air Force Units Green -- Army Units Blue -- Naval Units Purple -- Border Guard Estonia All personnel in the Estonian Military used to wear Berets in the beginning on 90 's. In 2013, berets were reinstated. Green -- Ground Forces Black -- Armoured Corps, Naval Units Red -- Military police White - Military Bands Service when not in parade dress uniform Finland The Finnish general Ensio Siilasvuo. The Finnish Defence Force uses berets with cap badges for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The berets are worn in `` clean '' garrison duties such as roll calls and with the walking - out uniform, but not with the battle dress. Until the mid-1990s, the beret was reserved for troops with special status, such as the armoured troops, coastal jägers and the parachute jägers, but is nowadays used by all units. In the winter, berets are replaced by winter headgear. Berets are also used by the Finnish Border Guard, which is a military organization under the aegis of Ministry of Interior during peacetime. Olive drab ( Badge : Silver lion 's head ) -- Army Olive drab ( Badge : Golden lion 's head with a crown ) -- Finnish Rapid Deployment Force and units abroad ( except for UN peacekeepers who wear UN Blue berets with a UN badge ) Blue ( Badge : Air Force insignia ) -- Air Force Blue ( Badge : Silver griffin ) -- Army aviation Blue ( Badge : Harp and sword ) -- Military bands Dark blue ( Badge : Anchor and Lion ) -- Navy, including coastal troops, but with the exception of coastal jägers Black ( Badge : Gothic helmet ) -- Armoured Brigade Dark green ( Badge : Golden sea eagle 's head ) -- Coastal jägers Maroon ( Badge : Arrow and parachute ) -- Airborne Jägers and Special Jägers of Utti Jäger Regiment Olive drab ( Badge : Golden bear 's head, sword and fir tree twig ) -- Border Jägers Brown ( Badge : Golden bear 's head, sword and fir tree twig ) -- Special Border Jägers France French marines paratroopers in Rwanda. The military beret originated in the French Army, in the form of the wide and floppy headdress worn by the Chasseurs Alpins ( mountain light infantry ) from their foundation in the early 1880s. The practical uses of the beret were soon known Army - wide : the entire Expeditionary Force sent in China in 1900 used berets as headwear A tight - fitting version was subsequently adopted by French armoured troops towards the end of World War I. Between the wars, special fortress units raised to garrison the Maginot Line wore khaki berets as did the 13th DBLE of the French Foreign Legion when it was created in 1940. The Vichy Milice of the War period wore a blue beret. The beret in blue, red or green was a distinction respectively of the Metropolitan, Colonial and Foreign Legion paratroop units during the Indochina and Algerian wars. In 1962 the beret in either light khaki or the colours specified above became the standard French Army headdress for ordinary use. With the exception of the Naval Commandos ( Commandos Marine ) and the Naval Infantry ( Fusiliers Marins ) whose berets are worn pulled to the right, all other French military berets ( Army, Airforce & Gendarmerie ) are pulled to the left with the badge worn over the right eye or temple. Gendarmerie personnel serving with the European Gendarmerie Force - an EU crisis response & intervention force - wear the standard EUROGENDFOR royal blue beret & badge when so assigned. Colour Wearer Wide dark blue Chasseurs Alpins ( the wide beret 's nickname is the tarte ( pie ) ) also worn with a white cover ( winter dress ). Dark blue Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air ; Troupes de Marine & all other Army troops ; Gendarmerie Provost ; Naval Fusiliers ( badge on left ) Green French Foreign Legion ( badge on right ) ; Naval Commandos ( badge on left ) Red ( called amarante ) Paratroopers wear red beret ( except paratroopers of the Foreign Legion who wear Legion green ) Azure blue Army Light Aviation Black Armoured regiments ( Regiments de Chars de Combat ) ; Gendarmerie GIGN anti-terrorist unit UN blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Gabon Berets in Gabonese Army : Dark red / rouge -- Paratroopers Light grey -- Armoured troops Green -- Republican Guard Green -- Commandos Marine Dark red -- Army Medical Corps Dark blue -- other Army units Germany First Sergeant of the Panzerjäger with black beret 1989 The German Heer uses berets with different badges for every branch of service. The Luftwaffe and the Marine issue dark blue berets only to their ground or land combat units ( called Luftwaffensicherungstruppe and Marineschutzkräfte ) respectively. Berets are usually worn at special ceremonies and roll calls, although units with a special esprit de corps, especially armoured and mechanized infantry ( Panzergrenadiere ) battalions, wear their berets all the time. German berets are always pulled to the right, with the badge visible over the left temple. Colour Wearer Black armoured units, including armoured reconnaissance Green infantry units, including Jägertruppe ( light infantry ), Panzergrenadiere ( armoured infantry ), army ceremonial guards ( Wachbataillon des Heeres ) and the now disbanded Panzerjäger ( armoured anti-tank ) ; Dark blue Luftwaffe ( Air Force ) and Marine ( Navy ) infantry and ceremonial guards ; Offizieranwärterbataillon ( Officer Candidate Battalions of the Army ) multinational units ( e.g. Eurocorps ) Blue medical units Maroon airborne units ( or units with substantial airborne components ), including paratroopers, army aviation, Airmobile Operations Division ( DLO ; Division Luftbewegliche Operationen ), and Division Special Forces ( DSK ; Division Spezielle Kräfte ), including the KSK ( Kommando Spezialkräfte ) Red support units, including artillery, engineers, intelligence, psychological operations ( Operative Information ), anti-aircraft, supply, NBC protection, signals, electronic warfare, transport, topography, and military police ( Feldjäger ), ' Instandssetzung ' Vehicle Maintenance UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Military bands wear the beret colour of their respective division ( e.g. black in the 1. Panzerdivision ). Note : The Panzerjäger started off with black berets but were moved into the Panzergrenadier branch. The last Panzerjägers wore green berets. Ghana The beret colours worn by the Ghana Army are as follows : Black -- Armoured Corps Dark Green -- Airborne Force ( ABF ) Red -- Military Police Dark Blue -- All other Arms and Corps Greece Soldier of the Presidential Guard in service dress, with the light blue beret The beret colours worn by the Hellenic Army are as follows : Light blue -- Presidential Guard Black -- Armoured Corps Green -- Special Forces ( including Commandos, Marines and Parachute despatchers / riggers ) Dark red / maroon -- Army Aviation Bright red / scarlet -- Airmobile troops Dark Blue -- All other Arms and Corps when in 8a, 8b and 8c Service Dress. When in camouflage fatigues, the camouflaged cap is worn instead of the dark blue beret. The beret colours worn by the Hellenic Air Force are : Blue - grey ( same colours as RAF ) -- Air Force Underwater Operations Squadron Dark red / Maroon -- Air Force Special Operations Squadron Guatemala Black - Parachute Brigade ( Brigada Paracaidista ) Maroon - Kaibiles ( Special Forces ) Hungary History : the first beret - type cap ( khaki colour, with black ribbon and `` eagle '' badge ) was issued for Air Force enlisted personnel in 1930, but berets became popular in the 1970s, when reconnaissance troops ( paratroopers ) were issued with rifle green ( or grass green ) berets. Previously maroon beret was also experimented and even reversible ( green to camo ) `` multi-purpose '' berets were produced, but the standardization started on the 1975 military parade. In 1982 military secondary school students were issued with green berets too, while in 1987 River Force troopers received dark blue beret. After the collapse of the communism the beret as `` mark of the elite trooper '' received more and more popularity among soldiers. Berets currently in Hungarian military : Black ( with tank troops ' badge ) -- Armoured Units Black ( with anchor badge ) -- personnel of the river boats Scarlet ( with MP badge ) -- Military Police Scarlet ( with artillery or AA badge ) -- Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Artillery Grass Green ( with paratroops badge ) -- Paratroopers Grass Green ( with engineer 's badge ) -- Engineers Grass Green ( with infantry badge ) -- Infantry ( only in foreign missions ) Dark brown ( with infantry badge ) - Guard Battalion Special Team ( only in the 2000s ) Except these official versions different unofficial beret types, colours and badges are worn, for example Dark Blue berets by Signal Corps cadets etc. Iceland Icelandic armed services commonly use berets. Colour Wearer Black Icelandic Coast Guard Dark Blue Icelandic Crisis Response Unit India The beret is the standard headgear for the Indian Army. Berets are worn by officers and other ranks, apart from Sikhs, who wear turbans. The beret colours worn by the Indian Army are as follows : Light Green ( shades vary considerably ) -- Infantry regiments and Military Intelligence Dark ( rifle ) green -- Rifle Regiments, some Light Infantry regiments ( including the Mechanised Infantry Regiment ), COBRA jungle warfare Commandos, and the National Cadet Corps Maroon -- The Parachute Regiment, Special Forces, Special Frontier Force Black -- Armoured Corps, Border Security Force ( BSF ), the National Security Guards ( NSG ) Grey -- Army Aviation Corps and the Indian Air Force Scarlet -- Corps of Military Police Navy blue -- The Regiment of Artillery, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Support Arms and Services, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, the Indo - Tibetan Border Police Force Sand -- Marine Commandos Light Blue -- All personnel serving with the United Nations forces irrespective of unit, arm or service Indonesia An Indonesian Army soldier wearing a green beret with general Army insignia The beret is the standard headgear of armed forces and police personnel in Indonesia. It is also worn by paramilitary and other uniformed services in the country such as the Fire Brigade, Search and Rescue, Scouts, civil militias ( such as Banser ) and civil paramilitary organizations. In the Military Services ( Army, Navy and Air Force ), the berets are dragged to the right ( the insignia are worn on the left side ), while in the Indonesian National Police force and Military Police Corps, the berets are dragged to the left ( the insignia are worn on the right side ). Both having its own meaning, dragged to the right meaning `` ready for combat and defense '' and dragged to the left meaning `` ready for law enforcement and order ''. Military and Police services according to their beret colours which represent different units within the force are as shown below : Indonesian Army ( TNI AD ) Green - Army HQ, Territorial Army, regular Infantry and Army staff Red - Army Special Forces Commandos ( `` Kopassus '' ) including Para-Commandos Dark Green - Raider Infantry air - mobile and special operations capable units, Mechanized Infantry and the Strategic Command Corps ( `` Kostrad '' ) which itself includes infantry brigades, Airborne brigades, reconnaissance platoons, cavalry and artillery battalions. Black - Cavalry and Armored Cavalry ( Tank ) Corps Brown - Field Artillery corps and Air Defense Artillery corps Steel Gray - Combat Engineers Corps ( currently changed to green ) Maroon - Army Aviation Corps Khaki - Signal Corps Dark Blue - Supply and Transportation Corps Indonesian Navy ( TNI AL ) Navy Blue - Standard berets for the Navy, worn by all personnel such as Naval seamen and naval sailors in duty of ships ' company, or on the Naval bases. Reddish Purple ( Magenta ) - Marine Corps and Joint naval special forces ( Jala Mengkara Detachment ) Maroon - Frogman Command Indonesian Air Force ( TNI AU ) Blue - Standard berets for the Air Force, with Air Force insignia worn by Airmen and Air Force staff. Orange - Air Force Infantry Special Operation Corps ( Korps PasKhas ). Inter-services Black - All personnel in Armed Forces / TNI HQ Light Blue ( beret dragged to the left ) - Military Police personnel from all branches. Light Blue - All personnel attached in United Nations ' Peace Keeping Force, and the Presidential Security Force ( Paspampres ) Dark Brown - Military Cadets Paramilitary units ( not part of armed forces / TNI ) Dark Blue - Mobile Brigade Corps ( Brimob ), beret dragged to the left Non-military Dark Brown - Scouts Light Brown - Ministry of Defence employees and Armed Forces Civil Servants ( PNS ), beret dragged to the left Purple - College Students Regiment Iran Dark Blue - Iranian Marines Black - Iranian Army Airborne Forces, IRGC Commandos, and Police Green - Iranian Army Special Forces ( Rangers ), Iranian Marines Special Forces, IRGC Special Forces Tan - Iranian Army Commandos Maroon - Iranian Army Tank Crew Iraq Iraqi Maroon Beret The beret color system used for the different branches of the Iraqi military and security forces changed after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Beret colors currently ( and formerly ) worn by Iraqi forces are as follows : Maroon -- Army ( formerly Special Republican Guards, Paratroops and / or Special Forces ) Khaki ( olive green ) -- no longer used ( formerly Logistics and Transport personnel ) Green -- Special Forces ( formerly Commandos and Thunder Paratroops ) Bright Red -- Military Police Black -- Police ( formerly Republican Guards and regular Army ) Blue -- Air Force Dark Blue - Iraqi Navy Blue - Grey - no longer worn ( formerly Iraqi Air Force ) Ireland All Army personnel wear a common capbadge, a sunburst insignia with the letters `` FF '' inscribed above the left eye of the beret. The Irish Defence Forces cap badge for Officers in the Army has a more subdued appearance. Air Corps and Naval Service personnel wear their own cap badge on berets. Irish troops wear UN blue berets while serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon. The beret colours worn by the Irish Defence Forces are as follows : Colour Wearer Black Army, Air Corps and Naval Service - Army personnel wear red patch behind cap badge Red Military Police Dark green Army Ranger Wing ( special forces ) UN blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions The beret colours worn by the Reserve Defence Forces are as follows : Colour Wearer Black Army Reserve - worn with red patch behind cap badge Red Reserve Military Police - worn with dark green patch behind cap badge Black Naval Service Reserve Israel Main article : Israel Defense Forces insignia Israeli Defense Forces soldiers wear berets only on formal occasions, such as ceremonies and roll calls, and in disciplinary situations such as courts martial and imprisonments. While they are not attending formal occasions, they must place the beret beneath the left epaulette. The Border Police, which are a unit of the civil police rather than the military IDF, wear their berets at most times. The beret colors are as follows : Soldiers of the Nahal Brigade wearing light green berets Colour Wearer Black Armor Corps Light Brown Golani Brigade Dark Gray Air Force Maroon Paratroopers Brigade and SF units Lime Green Nahal Brigade Purple Givati Brigade Camouflage Kfir Brigade Turquoise Artillery Corps Khaki Combat Intelligence Corps Light Grey Engineering Corps Bottle Green Directorate of Military Intelligence, Border Police Blue Military Police Orange Home Front Command Olive Green General Corps Dark Blue Sea Corps Italy Italian Carabinieri parachutists in a military parade A female soldier of the Italian Folgore Brigade. Italian Army personnel used to wear a garrison cap alongside the combination cap, until the early 1970s when the garrison cap was replaced by the beret. Until the early 1980s the general Army colour for the beret was drab khaki, the black being reserved to armoured units. The colours presently used by the Italian Army are as follows : Maroon -- Paratroopers, Folgore Airborne Brigade ; Army Incursori Special Operations Forces Light blue -- Army Aviation, 66th Airmobile Infantry Regiment Black -- all other Army units ( the Bersaglieri light infantry have royal blue beret strings, instead of black ones like the rest of the Italian Military ) Green - The Lagunari Serenissima amphibious infantry Regiment received ' Lagoon green ' berets in 2011 after service in Afghanistan The Italian Navy uses the following berets : Green -- Navy Commando frogmen Operational Raider Group ( COMSUBIN GOI ) Medium blue - Navy Rescue frogmen Operational Divers Group ( COMSUBIN GOS ) Navy blue - San Marco Marine Brigade of the Italian Navy Orange - Units part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission in Sinai The Italian Air Force uses the following berets : Teal blue -- Air Force guards Tan -- Air Force Incursori ( RIAM ) Other Italian services that use berets : Maroon -- Carabinieri Tuscania Airborne Regiment ; Police di Stato Parachute units ( Display Team and NOCS ) Green -- Guardia di Finanza ( GICO ) ; Corpo Forestale dello Stato Light blue -- Prison Police Dark blue - Carabinieri ( MP units ) Red -- Carabinieri Cacciatori Hunter units Grey -- Guardia di Finanza Blue -- Polizia di Stato Japan All members in the Ground Self - Defense Force are authorized to wear wool rifle green berets - referred to as the `` ベレー 帽 '' ( ベレーボウ or bereebou ) - as an optional head covering for dress, working and camouflage uniforms since 1992. However, it is normally considered a special dress item, worn for public relations events or parades. An embroidered goldwork cap badge representing the JGSDF logo identical to the one used on the service dress peaked cap is required by regulation to be affixed to the beret. Jordan The beret colours worn by the Jordanian Army are as follows : Brown - Infantry Maroon -- Special Forces Black -- Armoured Corps Green -- Royal Guards Dark Blue - Artillery Sky - blue - Engineers Red -- Military police Grey Blue - Air Force Dark Blue - Navy Kazakhstan Light Blue - Army Maroon - National Guard Kenya The beret colours worn by the Kenya Armed Forces are as follows : Black -- Armoured Corps Green -- Airborne Battalion Red -- Military police Dark Blue - All other Arms and Corps including naval service Blue Grey - Air Force Kuwait Green -- National Guard Commando Green - 25th Commando Brigade Black -- Army Ground forces Red -- Military Police Maroon -- Amiri Guard Authority Dark Blue - Air Force and Naval Forces Latvia The beret colours worn by the Latvian Army are as follows : Olive - green -- Special Tasks Unit Red -- Military police Black - Army, Navy Blue - Air Force Lebanon All units, in the Lebanese Armed Forces wear berets when not in combat mode ( Helmet ), training camp ( cap ) or formal uniform ( formal hat ). The Lebanese Army, unlike most militaries, wears the beret slanted ( pulled down ) on the left side as the Army emblem is positioned to the right aligned with the right eyebrow. Green - The Fast Intervention Regiments ( SF ) ( 6 Regiments ) Brown - Airborne Regiment ( SF ) Red - Military Police Black - Republican Guard Brigade ( Presidential Guard ), Anti-terrorism Unit MOKAFAHA ( SF ) Maroon beret - Commando Regiment Fawj al - Maghaweer ( SF ), Lebanese navy seals Maghāwīr al Baħr ( SF ) Dark Blue -- The 11 Brigades, Cadets and the rest of the Army. Lithuania Maroon -- National Defence Volunteer Forces Scarlet -- Military Police Green -- All other forces excluding the Air Force and the Navy Grey -- ( SOP - Specialiųjų operacijų pajėgos ) SOF - Special operations force Malaysia Female RMN personnels with dark blue beret The PASKAL personnel wearing the reddish purple or magenta beret while GGK ( right ) wearing the sherwood green beret. The beret is the headgear of ground forces, air aviations and special forces in the Malaysian Armed Forces. The colours presently used are : Malaysian Army Colour Wearer Dark Green Royal Malay Regiment, Royal Ranger Regiment, Border Regiment Maroon 10 Parachute Brigade Sherwood Green Grup Gerak Khas ( Army Special Forces ) Cypress Green Royal Intelligence Corps Cambridge Blue Army Air Corps Black Royal Armoured Corps Red Royal Military Police Corps Dark Blue other Army branches Royal Malaysian Navy Colour Wearer Blue Black Regular and reserve force personnel Magenta PASKAL ( Navy Special Forces ) Royal Malaysian Air Force Colour Wearer Blue Black Regular, reserve force and RMAF Provosts personnels Sky Blue PASKAU ( Air Force Special Forces ) Red Close Escort Team ( VIP Protection ) Maldives The beret colours worn by the Maldives National Defense Force ( MNDF ) are as follows : Maroon -- Special Forces Red -- Military Police Green -- Marines and other support units Black -- Parade Beret for Coast Guard Mali The beret colours worn by the Malian Armed Forces are as follows : Maroon -- Paratroopers. Brown -- Republican Guard. Green -- Infantry and other army units. Dark blue -- Air Force Red -- Paratroopers of the 33rd regiment who double as the presidential guard. Mexico In the Mexican Army, the beret is worn by : Green - Special Forces Maroon -- Paratroopers ( formerly purple, circa 1980s ) Black -- Presidential Guards Corps Steel Grey -- Armor Brown - Airmobile Units In the Mexican Navy : Black -- Paratroopers, Navy Special Forces. Armed Forces wide, the blue beret with the UN arms is used by peacekeeping forces beginning in 2015 - 16, when Mexico sent armed forces personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. Mongolian army soldiers in dark green beret Mongolia In 2002, new army uniforms were introduced to the Mongolian armed forces and along with new uniform design, dark green berets were issued to all personnel. According to the rules, all military berets are pushed to the right and displays a `` Soyombo '' symbol in middle of golden oak leaves in the right side. Berets are worn by Mongolian Police since 1994. Police berets are different from the army beret in color and in shape, while it is pushed to the left while army berets are pushed to the right. Dark green - All branches of Armed forces Red - Internal troops. Dark blue - National emergency troops ( rescuers ) Black - Police unit ( pushed to the left ) Light blue - UN peacekeepers ( pushed to the right ) Morocco The Moroccan military Uniform is inspired from the French Uniform, the berets are usually pulled to the left with the badge worn over the right eye or temple. Lime Green - Armed Forces ( Les Forces armees royales ), including Paratroopers Red - Royal Guard ( La garde royale ) Blue - Royal Moroccan air force Dark BLue - The Air Force and Security Forces UN Blue - Moroccan - United Nations troops Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Brown - Moroccan Auxiliary troops Mozambique Presently, the following berets are in use by the Defense Armed Forces of Mozambique : Brown -- Army general use Red -- Commandos Olive Green - Forcas Especiais ( Special Forces ) Navy blue -- Fuzileiros ( Marines ) Nepal Deep Green : Nepalese Army Maroon : Nepal Police Grey : Armed Police Force Netherlands When the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces acquired new modernised uniforms ( designed by the Dutch couturier Frans Molenaar ) in 2000, the berets changed as well. Since 2004, soldiers of the Royal Netherlands Army have worn a petrol ( blue - green ) beret, whereas previously they wore brown. The following colours are also used ( before and after the modernisation ) : Navy : Dark navy blue with a bronze metal crown & anchor on a red flash -- Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Dark navy blue with a gold color metal anchor on a black flash -- Royal Netherlands Navy Dark navy blue with a silver color metal anchor on a Blue flash -- ( Civilian base security for the Royal Netherlands Navy ) Army : Green ( The Green Beret ) -- Commandos of the Korps Commandotroepen Maroon ( The Red Beret ) -- Airmobile troops of the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade `` 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade '' ( Air Assault ) Black -- Armour and Cavalry Petrol ( blue - green ) -- Royal Netherlands Army Note : The only Dutch military unit that do not wear a beret are the Gele Rijders ( Horse Artillery ), who wear a blue garrison cap with yellow trimming. Air Force : Grey - blue -- Royal Netherlands Air Force Military Police : Bright blue -- with emblem Koninklijke Marechaussee ( Royal Gendarmerie ) Other : UN blue -- All military members of the United Nations Brick red -- All military members of the Multinational Force and Observers Dark blue -- 1 ( GE / NL ) Corps ( Eerste Duits - Nederlandse Legerkorps ) All regiments and services have their own distinctive colours. There are quite a lot, but the number of colours in the logistic services was reduced in 2001. This colour is shown in a patch of cloth behind the beret flash. The intendance ( maroon ), transport troops ( blue ), military administration ( pink ; hence the nickname ' Pink Mafia ' ), technical service ( black ), and medical troops and service ( green ) lost their colours and all now wear yellow patches. In 2010, the ` tecnical service and medical troops and services recovered their colors. The intendance and transport troops merched into one regiment with new colours ( maroon with blue border ) and the administration got the crimson color. Infantry -- Red, except : Grenadier Guards -- Red with blue border Rifle Guards -- Green with yellow border Fusilier Guards -- Orange with blue border Regiment van Heutsz -- Black with orange border Limburg Rifles Regiment -- Green with maroon border Korps Commandotroepen -- Black with dark green border Cavalry ( Armour ) -- Blue with white, red or orange border Cavalry ( Reconnaissance ) -- Blue with black border Artillery -- Black with red border Engineers -- Brown Signals -- Blue with white border Logistics -- Yellow ( obsolete since 2010 ) Legal Affairs -- Black with white border Psychological and Sociological Service -- Red Protestant Chaplains -- Black Catholic Chaplains -- Blue Jewish Chaplains -- Black Humanist Society Chaplains -- Bright green Hindu Chaplains -- Bright blue Troops in Initial Training -- Red Royal Military Academy Cadets -- Red with yellow border Physical Training Instructors -- Blue Technical Staff -- Maroon New zealand Royal New Zealand Navy - Dark blue - Military police Dark blue / black - All other branches New Zealand Army - Pre 2002 beret colours - Khaki - Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery Green - Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Jet black - Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps Royal blue - Royal New Zealand Military Police Red - Regular Force Cadet School Rifle green - Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals Grey - Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps Cypress green - New Zealand Intelligence Corps Donkey brown - New Zealand Special Air Service Dark blue - All other corps Post 2002 beret colours - Donkey brown - New Zealand Special Air Service Dark blue - Royal New Zealand Military Police Rifle green - All other corps Royal New Zealand Air Force - The RNZAF does not currently wear berets except for ; Dark blue - Military police Nicaragua The Nicaraguan Armed Forces wear berets in the following colours : Berets in Nicaraguan Army : Green -- Special Forces ( COE ) Black - Generals of Staff  ́ s Protection VIP Berets in Nicaraguan Navy : Dark Blue -- Special Naval Forces Nigeria Dark Green -- Army Norway Norwegian soldier wearing an olive green beret The Norwegian armed forces use the beret as a garrison cap, but some units ( mostly armored vehicle personnel ) also use it in the field. The Norwegian beret and all other headwear except those of the Navy and His Majesty The King 's Guard always have the current king 's cipher as a badge in gold ( most of the army ) or silver ( the air force ) ; currently this is a numeral 5 inside an H, for `` Harald V ''. The navy has a crowned gold anchor for their enlisted personnel, a crowned gold anchor surrounded by a circle of rope for their petty officers, and a crowned golden anchor surrounded by leaved branches for officers. The colours used are : Royal blue -- Brigade Nord ( except cavalry troops, intelligence troops and military police ) Umbra green -- Border Guards Black -- Cavalry, armoured battalion and KESK Khaki -- Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion Emerald green -- Telemark Battalion Maroon -- Army Ranger Command Red -- Military police Olive green -- formerly used by other army units & Home Guard Grey -- Home Guard Olive green with silver badge -- recruits in His Majesty 's The Kings Guards ; Krigsskolen Dark blue -- Royal Norwegian Navy Air force blue -- Royal Norwegian Air Force Base Defence Units Air force light blue -- Royal Norwegian Air Force Air Defence Artillery Units The special operations units of the Navy wear the same berets as the rest of the navy. However they have a coloured patch behind the cap badge, the colour of which determines the unit : Green -- Marinejegerkommandoen Blue -- Minedykkerkommandoen Maroon -- Kystjegerkommandoen Red - Military Police Pakistan Rifle green -- Frontier Force Regiment, Defence Services Guards Rifle green with cherry color patch behind the badge - Baloch Regiment Green with Green Plume -- Punjab Regiment Cherry Pink with a red feather hackle -- Sindh Regiment Green with red patch behind badge -- Azad Kashmir Regiment Chitrali Style with White Feather -- Northern Light Infantry Black -- Regiments of Armored Corps Dark Blue -- Regiment of Artillery, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Corps of Signals Maroon -- Army Air Defence, Army Aviation Corps Light Blue -- Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers, Army Services Corps Red -- Pakistan Army Medical Corps, Military Police Dark Maroon - Special Service Group ( SSG ) Green with Red Plume - Pakistan Military Academy Cadets Dark Blue - Worn by the General Staff officers ( rank of Colonel and above ) irrespective of their Regimental association. Paraguay The Paraguayan Armed Forces wear berets in the following colours : Berets in Paraguayan Army : Green -- Paratroopers Dark Blue - Presidential Guard Berets in Paraguayan Navy : Camouflage -- Special Naval Forces Berets in Paraguayan Air Force : Red - Air Force Infantry and Airborne personnel Panama Berets were widely worn by many units in the Panamanian Defense Force ( PDF ) under Manuel Noriega. The PDF was abolished in February 1990, and with it all of the old military units stood down. Unique beret insignia were never approved, so units authorized to wear berets wore a combination of the approved shoulder insignia, as well as rank and qualification insignia ( e.g. parachutist wings ) on the berets. The following were being worn at the time of the 1989 invasion : Black - 7th Infantry Company `` Macho de Monte '' ; Comando Operacional de Fuerzas Expeciales ( COFFEE - Special Forces Command ) Maroon - Battalion 2000 ; 2nd Airborne Infantry Company `` Puma '' ; 3rd Infantry Company `` Diablo Rojo '' Lime Green - 4th Infantry Company `` Urraca '' Camouflage - 7th Infantry Company `` Macho de Monte '' ; Comando Operacional de Fuerzas Expeciales ( Cadre ) Philippines Philippine Army Color Wearer Army green Philippine Army Units, Special Operations Command Olive drab Special Forces Olive green Light Reaction Regiment Black 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, Mechanized Infantry Division, Army units assigned to the Presidential Security Group UN Blue AFP personnel assigned to UN Peacekeeping Operations, Cadets of the Peacekeeping Operations Center Philippine Air Force Color Wearer Dark Blue Air Force Base Security personnel Camouflage Pararescue Black 710th Special Operations Wing, Air Force units assigned to the Presidential Security Group Poland Black berets were introduced before World War II for tank and armoured car crews. During World War II, berets were widely adopted in the Polish Army on the Western Front, armored troops - black, airborne - grey, commando - green. After the war in the communist era, berets were worn only by armoured units ( black ), navy for field and work uniform ( black ), paratroopers ( maroon ), and marines ( light blue ). After 1990, the beret became the standard headgear in the Armed Forces of Republic of Poland. Around the year 2000 the design of the Polish Army Beret changed, the beret sewn together from three pieces of material with four air holes, two at each side was changed to a smaller beret molded from one piece of material with no air holes. The following colours are in use : Colour Wearer Black Armored troops, Navy, Military Unit Formoza ( for field and work uniform ) Blue 7th Coastal Defense Brigade, Peacekeeping Missions Training Center Brown Territorial Defence ( discontinued ) Olive Green Territorial Defence ( present ) Green Army general use Dark Green Special Forces Command Light Grey Military Unit GROM ( JW GROM ) Steel Grey Air Force ( no longer in use, replaced by camouflage side cap ) Maroon Paratroopers Scarlet Red Military Police Berets in other ministries : Colour Wearer Black Border Guards Naval Units, Firefighters ( for service dress ) Light Green Border Guards ( no longer in use, replaced by camouflage cap ) Steel Grey Border Guards Air Units Sapphire Government Protection Bureau ( no longer in use ) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs ' Troops ( disbanded ) Navy Blue Police anti-terrorist units ( SPAP ) The black beret is also the distinctive headgear of World War II veterans, particularly Armia Krajowa veterans. The dress code of the Polish armed forces states than when not worn on the head or kept in a locker the beret should be placed under the left shoulder loop. This practice was discontinued due to introducing new field uniform ( wz. 2010 ) with rank insignia placed on chest. Portugal The beret was first introduced in the Portuguese Armed Forces in 1956, when the Air Force Paratroopers adopted the green beret. The Portuguese Army adopted the brown beret for its Caçadores Especiais special forces in 1960, generalizing its wear to all units in 1962. The following colors of berets were or are still worn by the Portuguese Military and Paramilitary forces : Colour Wearer Green Paratroopers Brown Caçadores Especiais in 1960 - 1962 ; Army general use since 1962 Black Cavalry branch ( except Cavalry Paratroopers ) and Military Police since 1962 ; Provincial organization of volunteers and civil defence until 1975 Red Commandos ( worn unofficially by some units since 1966 and officially since 1974 ) Moss green Special Operations Forces Blue Navy general use Dark blue Marines Light blue Air Force Police Dark green Republican National Guard ( GNR ) general use since 2013 Yellow Special Groups of Mozambique until 1975 Maroon Paratrooper Special Groups until 1975 Camouflage Guinea 3rd and 5th Commando and native caçadores companies ( unofficial ) in 1966 - 1968, Flechas until 1975 White Volunteer Aerial Formations until 1975 Tan GIPS ( GNR rescue unit ) until 2013 ( still worn unofficially since then ) UN blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Rhodesia Acting Lieutenant Nigel John Theron of 2 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry receives the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia in 1976 Until the reconstitution Rhodesia as Zimbabwe ended their existence in 1980, the Rhodesian Security Forces wore the beret as the primary working dress and service dress headgear. Berets were coloured according to unit or service branch, with a distinctive regimental cap badge pinned above the left eye. The Rhodesian Security Forces were integrated into the new Zimbabwe Defence Forces in 1980. Dark Green -- Rhodesia Regiment, Rhodesian African Rifles Tartan Green -- Rhodesian Light Infantry ( from 1964, when it became a commando battalion ) Sand -- Rhodesian Special Air Service ( SAS ) Brown -- Selous Scouts Grey -- Grey 's Scouts Black -- Rhodesian Armoured Corps Dark Blue -- those units without a distinctive beret Blue - gray -- Rhodesian Air Force Cherry Red -- Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs ( INTAF ) Bright Blue -- Psychological Operations Maroon -- Medical Corps Romania Colour Wearer Black Anti-air Artillery and Missiles, Artillery, Military Automobile Troops ( automobilişti militari ), Tanks, Communication and Informatics structures, Engineers, Nuclear Biological and Chemical ( NBC ) Defense and Naval Forces Green Mountain Troops ( or Mountain Hunters, Vânători de Munte ), Special Operations Forces Dark Blue Military Justice, Romanian Gendarmerie ( Jandarmeria Română ) Maroon Paratroopers Red Military Music Dark red ( bordeaux red ) Military Medicine Violet Military Logistics, or administration ( intendenţă ) Light Grey Military Police Light Blue Air Force and Radar Troops ( radiolocaţie ) Dark brown Infantry Russian federation In the Soviet Union berets were worn only by : Colour Wearer Black Naval Infantry, Tank Troops ( only for coveralls ), OMON Special Militia Units Sky Blue Airborne Troops Raspberry Airborne Troops ( till 1969 ) Green 103rd Airborne Division ( subordinate to Border Guards ) Rust Red ( orig. Krapovyi ) MVD Special Troops During this period berets were also worn by female personnel of the Armed Forces for everyday and parade uniform. The colour of the beret corresponded with that of the main uniform ( e.g. Army and Air Force everyday uniform - olive, Navy uniform - navy blue or white, Army parade uniform - sea green, Air Force parade uniform - dark blue ). The Soviet era beret color scheme detailed above ( e.g. for Airborne Troops and Naval Infantry ) remained in effect in post-1991 Russia. In the late 1990s the Russian Ministry of Extreme Situations introduced orange berets for its own troops. In 2011 the Russian Defence Ministry authorised the wearing of berets by all non-naval military personnel as part of their field uniforms. The current beret colour scheme is : Colour Wearer Black Naval Infantry ( Russia ), OMON and SOBR units of the National Guard of Russia, FSB counter-terrorist units Sky Blue Russian Airborne Troops general issue berets, Spetznaz units of the Russian Ground Forces ( will often wear headwear of other units in the field to avoid identification ) Cornflower Blue Special Units of Federal Security Service, Federal Protective Service and Presidential Regiment Light Green Border Guard Service of Russia Dark Green Armed Forces reconnaissance units - soldiers are allowed to wear this beret after passing special tests Olive Russian Ground Forces standard beret, Strategic Missile Troops, Russian Aerospace Defence Forces, Russian Air Force, Russian Railway Troops Orange Ministry of Emergency Situations general issue berets Rust Red ( orig. Krapovyi ) 604th Special Purpose Center, 7th OSN, 19th OSN of the National Guard Forces Command Spetsnaz - soldiers are allowed to wear this beret after passing special tests Bright Red Military Police ( since 2010 ), Young Army Cadets National Movement Saudi Arabia Saudi military police Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia Colour Worn by Olive Green Royal Saudi Land Forces Dark Blue Royal Saudi Air Force Black Royal Saudi Navy Dark Green Royal Saudi Air Defense Red Military Police of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia Maroon Paratroopers Units and Special Security Forces Senegal Tan / sand - Bataillon de Parachutistes ( Army Parachute Battalion ) Brown - Bataillon de Commandos ( Army Commando Battalion ) Black - Detachment Forces Speciales ( Special Forces Detachment ) Orange - Groupement Mobil d'Intervention ( Mobile Intervention Group ) Blue - Legion de Gendarmerie d'Intervention ( Gendarmerie Intervention Unit ) Green - Compagnie Fusilier de Marine Comandos ( COFUMACO ) ( Navy Marine Commandos ) Serbia The Serbian Armed Forces was wearing berets in the following colours : Green -- Army Black -- Military Police Maroon -- Special Forces Steel blue -- Air Force Navy blue -- Navy With introduction of new M10 uniform and new regulations, berets are being replaced with garrison caps, remaining only with some branches worn in the following colours : Black -- Military Police and Counter-terrorist units Maroon -- Special Forces Light blue - Guard Singapore LTA Roy Chang, a Commissioned Officer in the Singaporean Armed Forces, Army division, donning the Dark Green Infantry Beret. The badge on the left breast signifies the successful completion of the Jungle Confidence Course, attained during Officer Cadet training. The Singapore Armed and Police Forces adopts the beret as their standard headgear. The different color divisions are as follows : Colour Wearer Olive Green Infantry Regiment ( Previously Dark Green ) Black Armoured Regiment Khaki Guards Red ( Crimson ) Commandos Red ( Burgundy ) Police Tactical Unit Dark Blue Signals Formation, Artillery, Combat Engineers, Medical Corps, Transport and Logistics, Military Police, SAF Volunteer Corps, Navy, Singapore Police Force, Police Gurkha Contingent Air Force Blue Air Force Light Grey Public Transport Security Command UN Blue UN Peacekeeping Force The berets are all adorned with the Singapore Armed Forces coat of arms, with the exception of the Air Force beret, Military Police beret, navy beret and police beret which are adorned with their respective cap - badge. Officers in the navy have a different cap - badge from the enlisted men. Officers of the rank of colonel and above have a different cap - badge. National Cadet Corps ( Land ) - Green National Cadet Corps ( Air ) - Blue National Cadet Corps ( Sea ) - Black National Police Cadet Corps - Dark Blue National Civil Defence Cadet Corps - Black All berets have the National Cadet Corps, National Police Cadet Corps or National Civil Defence Cadet Corps crest on the front. Slovakia Colour Wearer Black tank forces, army air defense Green units of high readiness, immediately reaction battalion Dark Blue military police Maroon paratrooper units, 5. regiment of special assignment ( airborne ) UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions Slovenia Rifle Green - Special forces Green -- Military Police Olive green - Signal units Black - Armour units Maroon - motorised infantry / Paratroopers Dark blue -- Navy units Light blue -- Air force Grey - Mountain units Sand - NBC units Red - Guard unit South Africa The South African Army wears the beret as its standard headgear. The different color divisions are as follows : Colour Wearer Black Armour, Intelligence Dark Green Infantry Red Military Police Dark Blue Artillery Light blue Logistics Olive Munnitions Corps Light Maroon Military Health Sevices Beige Signal Corps Purple Chaplain Corps Orange Human Resources, Mechanics Maroon Parachute Infantry, Special Forces UN blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on international peacekeeping missions The berets are all adorned with the unit 's insignia. Some of the traditional units wear other headgear - for example, the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment and the band of the South African Military Health Service. Outside of Army, the South African Military Health Service wear light maroon berets. The South African Special Forces Brigade which is a separate entity, not part of the army, also wear the Maroon beret which is traditional for elite units in the western world. South Korea Berets are worn by members of the Republic of Korea Army and some elite units of the South Korean Military, including : Black -- Army Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command ( with yellow backing ), Reserve Officer Training Corps, KATUSA ( Korean Augmentation to the United States Army ) Dark Green -- Army Dark Blue - Air Force Military Police Red -- Air Force Combat Control Team ( CCT ) Maroon -- Air Force Special Air Rescue Team ( SART ) Green -- Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, Marine Corps armoured units Grey -- Navy UDT / SEAL Team ( Naval Special Warfare Flotilla ) Camouflage -- Army armoured units reddish brown - Army aviation UN Blue - United Nations peacekeepers Other than these units, several secret commando units ( mostly disbanded in the mid-1990s, among them the `` Unit 684 '' which became infamous for its mutiny ) formed to infiltrate North Korea during the Cold War days wore black berets and adorned them with the badges of individual units. Korean liaison soldiers serving in the U.S. Eighth Army ( KATUSA ) have also been wearing black berets along with American uniforms since that beret became a standard headgear of the U.S. Army in 2001. South Vietnam American advisers assigned to these units wore the berets. Red -- Paratroopers Green -- Marines, LLDB Maroon -- Rangers Black -- Navy Junk Force Black -- Palace guards Tan -- political officers Spain The beret is used in the various armed forces of Spain. The colours used are : Colour Wearer Black Airborne Brigade ( BRIPAC ), Mechanized Division `` Brunete '', Air Force Police. Maroon 1st King 's Immemorial Infantry Regiment of AHQ. Royal Blue Royal Guard, Army Helicopters ( FAMET ). Ash Grey Ciberdefence Joint Command. Mustard Military Emergencies Unit ( UME ). Red General Military Academy Green Mountain Brigade ( Jefatura de Tropas de Montaña ). Dark Green Special Operations units ( MOE, UOE, EZAPAC ). Olive Spanish Army general issue berets. Brown Military Police. Tan BRILCAN ( Brigada de Infantería Ligera Canarias XVI ). Grey BRILAT ( Brigada de Infantería Ligera Galicia VII ). Sri Lanka Maroon -- Army Commando Regiment Black -- Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Army Special Forces Regiment, Navy Special Boat Squadron, Air Force Regiment Special Force Commando Green -, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Military Intelligence Corps, Sri Lanka Army Women Corps, Sri Lanka Rifle Corps, Special Task Force Green - Gajaba Regiment ( Infantry ) Blue - Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, The Gemunu Watch ( Infantry ) & All Other Ranks of Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Light Infantry & all Service Corps Khaki - All Officers of Sri Lanka Artillery, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Light Infantry, Service Corps, Corps Engineer Services, General Service Corps, Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, Sri Lanka National Guard, Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps Red - Military Police Dark Blue - Sri Lanka Air Force Sweden Swedish amphibious corps soldier with green beret The beret is used in the various armed forces of Sweden. The colours used are : Color Wearer Dark blue Generals in the army and amphibious corps, all other military units not assigned another beret color, except for the navy Black Life Guard Regiment ( Infantry ), Armored / mechanized Regiments, Land Warfare Center. Rifle green Life Guard Regiment ( Cavalry ), Air - mobile Battalion ( LBB ), ISTAR Battalion, Army Ranger Battalion, Lapland Ranger Regiment ( Disbanded ), Armed Forces Intelligence and Security Center, Life Guard Regiment ( Military Police ), Air Force Rangers Commando green Amphibious Corps Maroon Parachute Ranger Khaki Home Guard Scarlet Life Guard Regiment ( Musicians ) Bright blue Armed Forces Helicopter Wing Olive green Special Operations Group ( SOG ) ( Special Forces ) UN blue Military personnel in UN-service Yellow EU monitors etc. Sudan The beret is worn by all police and military personal. Maroon - Paratroops Pink - special police Switzerland Since 1995, when it replaced the grey side cap, the beret is worn with the dress uniform and with the personally issued battle dress uniform by all Swiss soldiers. In training, a black beret ( without insignia ) is worn by mechanised units, otherwise a camouflage - coloured field cap is worn instead. The colours used are : Black -- armoured and mechanised units ; signals and headquarters troops ; NBC specialists ; intelligence, military justice and general staff personnel Green -- infantry, musicians Red -- artillery Deep blue -- Air Force ( including paratroopers ) Blue -- medical personnel Dark red -- logistics troops Grey -- military police Light blue -- troops on UN missions Thailand The beret is used in the various armed forces of Thailand. The colours used are : Maroon -- Airborne units, 1st Special Warfare Division, 31st Ranger Regiment Khaki green -- Army Reserve Force Students Black -- all other Army units, Air Force, Thahan Phran, Airborne Police units, Border Patrol Police ( BPP ) Camouflage -- Royal Thai Marine Corps and Navy SEALs Navy Blue - Volunteer Defense Corps ( VDC ) Part of Department Of Provincial Administration ( DOPA ), Ministry of Interior The black beret is also worn by ordinary police in certain situations. Togo The beret colours worn by the Togolese Army are as follows : Black -- Armoured Corps. Maroon -- Para-Commando Regiment. Green -- Presidential Guard Commando Regiment. Dark Blue - All other Arms and Corps Turkey The beret is used in the various armed forces of Turkey. The colours used are : Black : Armoured Corps of Turkish Land Forces. Blue : Elite units of Turkish Armed Forces. Dark - Blue : Personnel of General Directorate of Security riot team and Police Counter Attack Team. Navy - Blue : VIP guard team of the Turkish Air Force. UN Blue : Personnel serving with the United Nations. Green : Personnel of Gendarmerie General Command and General Directorate of Security. Bluish - Green : Personnel of Police Special Operation Department. Dark - Green : Overseas deployment personnel of Turkish Armed Forces. Maroon : Personnel of Special Forces Command. Red : Personnel of National Intelligence Organization. Tan : CSAR units of the Turkish Air Force. United Arab Emirates The Armed Forces of the UAE and National Service use berets with distinct colours to display the specific branch of the armed forces. All berets displays the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces emblem. Emirati military personnel may also choose to wear military camo coloured ghutra in a turban fashion in keeping with traditional Arabic attire. The colours are as follows : Colour Wearer Blue United Arab Emirates Navy Green Military recruit Red Military police Sky Blue United Arab Emirates Air Force Maroon Presidential Guard Tan United Arab Emirates Army and Medical Corps. United kingdom Bermuda Regiment recruits wear generic dark blue berets. The British Army beret dates back to 1918 when the French 70th Chasseurs alpins were training with the British Tank Corps. The Chasseurs alpins wore a distinctive large beret ( see above ) and Major - General Sir Hugh Elles, the TC 's Colonel, realised this style of headdress would be a practical option for his tank crews, forced to work in a reduced space. He thought, however, that the Chasseur beret was `` too sloppy '' and the Basque - style beret of the French tank crews was `` too skimpy '', so a compromise based on the Scottish tam o'shanter was designed and submitted for the approval of George V in November 1923. It was adopted in March 1924. During the Second World War, the use of the black beret was extended to all the regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps in 1940. The maroon beret was adopted by the Parachute Regiment in 1941 and the green beret by the Commandos in late 1942. A khaki beret was worn by the Reconnaissance Corps from 1941 until 1944, and the Royal Air Force Regiment adopted a blue - grey beret in 1943. Later in the war, a rather baggier beret - like hat, called a General Service Cap, was issued to all ranks of the British Army ( with RAC, parachute, commando, Scottish and Irish units excepted ), to replace the earlier Field Service Cap. The GS Cap was not popular, and after the war was replaced with a true beret. Today, every British military unit wears a beret, with the exception of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Royal Irish Regiment, who wear the tam o'shanter and the caubeen respectively ( the Scots Guards and Irish Guards, however, wear berets, as frequently do the Royal Irish Regiment on operations ). Many of these berets are in distinctive colours and all are worn with the cap badge of the service, regiment or corps. The cap badge for all services in the UK is usually worn directly over the left eye. Royal Military Police, 1984 Beret colours The colours are as follows : Color Wearer Khaki Foot Guards, Honourable Artillery Company, Princess of Wales 's Royal Regiment, Royal Anglian Regiment, Royal Gibraltar Regiment, Duke of Lancaster 's Regiment, Royal Welsh, Yorkshire Regiment, Mercian Regiment, 4 / 73 ( Sphinx ) Special OP Battery Royal Artillery Light grey Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Dark grey Queen Alexandra 's Royal Army Nursing Corps Brown King 's Royal Hussars, Royal Wessex Yeomanry Black Royal Tank Regiment, Westminster Dragoons Squadron, Royal Yeomanry Rifle green The Rifles, Royal Gurkha Rifles, Small Arms School Corps, Essex Yeomanry Maroon Parachute Regiment, All ranks serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade other than in Army Air Corps Units Beige Special Air Service including attached troops who are not SAS - qualified Emerald grey Special Reconnaissance Regiment Cambridge blue Army Air Corps Cypress green Intelligence Corps Scarlet Royal Military Police Green Adjutant General 's Corps ( except Royal Military Police, who wear scarlet ; Army Legal Services Branch, who wear black ; and Military Provost Guard Service, and Educational and Training Services branch, who wear navy blue ), Military Provost Guard Service Dark blue Generic : worn by all other Army units ( except Scottish and Irish line infantry regiments ), Royal Navy, Royal Marines who are not commando - qualified ( and who wear the Royal Marines capbadge with red backing ), Sea Cadet Corps Commando green Commando - qualified Royal Marines, Commando - qualified personnel of all services serving in 3 Commando Brigade, Special Boat Service RAF blue grey Royal Air Force ( including RAF Regiment ), Air Cadets ( Combined Cadet Force and Air Training Corps ) UN Blue Personnel serving with the United Nations on peacekeeping missions White When the Special Air Service was initially created white berets where authorised but were soon replaced by beige ones. In 2004 the Royal Air Force Police were denied permission to wear a white beret. General rule for wearing a British Army berets taught at training depots is to shape the head dress back and to the right for the material and to have the leather band level around the head with the cap badge two fingers above the left eye. Scottish Infantry have different rules for the Tamo'shanter with the cap badge worn on the left side of the head. Other Adornments Some Regiments and Corps wear a coloured backing behind the capbadge. These include : Foot Guards - Blue Red Blue patch ( less the officers of the Scots Guards, who wear a patch of Royal Stewart tartan ) Honourable Artillery Company - Black Circle Princess of Wales 's Royal Regiment - Blue Yellow Blue Patch Royal Anglian Regiment - Small Black ' Tombstone ' Queen Alexandra 's Royal Army Nursing Corps -- Red Patch Royal Army Medical Corps - Dull Cherry Oval Patch Army Air Corps - Black Patch Army Physical Training Corps - Patch in Corps Colours Royal Marines ' Red Tombstone ' ( only on dark blue beret worn by those who are not commando - qualified ) Royal Welsh Regiment and Mercian Regiment - Green badge outline and square respectively Queen 's Royal Lancers - Red Patch Household Cavalry - Blue Red Blue patch Yorkshire Regiment - Brunswick ( British Racing ) Green. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Black patch ( Worn in mourning for Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, who was their Colonel - in - Chief at the time of his murder ) King 's Royal Hussars - Red Patch Royal Wessex Yeomanry All ranks, from all 4 Squadrons wear a black patch behind the cap badge, as a 4 sqdns retain individual cap badges B ( RWY ) and D ( RDY ) wear a red flash between the black square and badge. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the only remaining independent fusilier regiment, wears a feather hackle on the beret. Other ranks of the Royal Welsh also wear hackles. Members of the Royal Tank Regiment, 4 / 73 ( Sphinx ) Special OP Battery Royal Artillery, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Army Air Corps, Parachute Regiment, SAS and Intelligence Corps wear berets in Nos 1, 2, 3 and 6, Dress. Other English and Welsh Regiments and Corps wear peaked caps in these orders of dress. Troops from other services, regiments or corps on attachment to units with distinctive coloured berets often wear those berets ( with their own cap badge ). Colonels, brigadiers and generals usually continue to wear the beret of the regiment or corps to which they used to belong with the cap badge distinctive to their rank. Old Units Former regiments and corps, now amalgamated : Dark Blue - Queens Regiment, Royal Hampshire Regiment Khaki -- Green Howards, King 's Own Royal Border Regiment, Prince of Wales 's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, Duke of Wellington 's Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, infantry motor battalions in World War II Dark ( Rifle ) green -- Light Infantry, Royal Green Jackets, Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry, Rifle Brigade, King 's Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd King Edward VII 's Own Gurkha Rifles ( The Sirmoor Rifles ), 6th Queen Elizabeth 's Own Gurkha Rifles, 7th Duke of Edinburgh 's Own Gurkha Rifles, 10th Princess Mary 's Own Gurkha Rifles Black -- all Royal Armoured Corps regiments in World War II ( other than officers in Inns of Court Regiment ), Royal Observer Corps, Westminster Dragoons, Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons Maroon -- Glider Pilot Regiment and glider - borne units Green -- Women 's Royal Army Corps, women in Officers Training Corps ( now wear dark blue ), officers in Inns of Court Regiment Brown with a broad crimson headband and NO hat badge - 11th Hussars ( PAO ) United States Army Special Forces Soldiers wearing their green berets at remembrance ceremony 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade ( SFAB ) wearing their brown berets at activation ceremony Army Ranger with tan beret Army Paratrooper with maroon beret at an Army Birthday celebration Air Force SERE instructor with sage green beret instructing students Air Force Special Tactics Officer wearing his scarlet beret Air Force Security Forces Airman with dark blue beret on guard Air Force Combat Aviation Advisors with brown berets at beret downing ceremony Berets were originally worn by select forces in the United States Army. The first were worn during World War II, when a battalion of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment were presented maroon berets by their British counterparts. Though unofficial at first, the green beret of the US Army Special Forces was formally adopted in 1961. Maroon airborne and black US Army Ranger berets were formally authorized in the 1970s. `` D '' Troop 17th Cavalry were authorized a maroon beret in Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, morale in the US Army waned. In response, from 1973 through 1979 HQDA permitted local commanders to encourage morale - enhancing uniform distinctions, however these distinctions were only allowed to be worn on the post. Consequently, many units embraced various colored berets, for example Armor and Armored Cavalry units often adopted the black beret. Similarly many other units embraced various colored berets in an attempt to improve dwindling morale. In particular, the First Cavalry Division assigned various colored berets to its three pronged TRICAP approach. In this implementation, Armored Cavalry, Airmobile Infantry units, Air Cavalry units, Division Artillery units, and Division Support units all wore different colored berets, including black, light blue, kelly green, and red. The 101st Airborne Division was authorised a dark blue beret. In 1975 all female soldiers of the Women 's Army Corps were authorized to wear a black beret variant as standard headgear for the service uniform. In 1975 the 172nd Light Infantry Brigade at Fort Richardson & Fort Wainwright, Alaska wore Olive Drab Berets. In 2001, Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki ordered the black beret worn as standard headgear army - wide, a controversial decision because it was previously reserved for the Rangers. The Rangers were then authorized to wear a tan beret, exclusive to them. The decision was implemented in hopes of boosting morale among conventional units. However, many soldiers began complaining that the new black beret was not practical with the utility uniform. In June 2011, Army Secretary John McHugh, acting on the recommendations made by Chief of Staff Martin Dempsey and Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler, once again chose the traditional patrol cap to be worn with the utility uniform. The black beret may be authorized with utility uniforms at commander 's discretion for special ceremonies. The beret remains part of the Army 's dress uniform for all units. United States Army berets now use the following distinctive colors : US Army Color Wearer Rifle green Special Forces qualified soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command ( USASOC ) units Tan Soldiers assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and Ranger Training Brigade Maroon Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 4th Brigade Combat Team ( Airborne ), and non-SF qualified soldier attached to USASOC units Brown Soldiers assigned to one of the Security Force Assistance Brigades Black Worn by all soldiers with Army Service Uniform as standard headgear. The patrol cap is the standard headgear with utility uniforms such as the ACUs ; however, the black beret may be authorized with utility uniforms at commander 's discretion. Special Forces, Ranger, and Airborne unit berets sport distinctive organizational flashes. All other units use a standard pale blue flash bordered with 13 white stars. Officers wear their rank insignia within the flash, while enlisted ranks wear their distinctive unit insignia. US Air Force Color Wearer Black Tactical Air Control Party ( TACP ), Air Liaison Officers ( ALO ), and Air Mobility Liaison Officers ( AMLO ) Maroon Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen Scarlet Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers Pewter Grey Special Operations Weather Technician Dark Blue Security Forces, United States Air Force Academy First - Class Cadets & Basic Cadet Training cadre Sage Green Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape ( SERE ) Specialists Brown Airmen assigned to units designated as Combat Aviation Advisors In the United States Navy, female officers and sailors were allowed to wear black berets instead of a combination hat or garrison cap while in service uniforms until 2016. The black berets were phased out in October of that year due to a lack of widespread use and a desire by the U.S. Navy to make its uniforms more unisex in appearance. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy created special boat teams, unofficially dubbed the brown - water navy, to patrol coastlines, estuaries and rivers. Naval personnel assigned to these teams wore black berets as part of their uniform, as portrayed in the movie Apocalypse Now. U.S. Navy SEAL teams serving in Vietnam wore camouflage berets in the field, the only beret somewhat standardized in the SEALs. Uruguay Grey - Army 14th Parachute Battalion Black - Police Coraceros Regiment Green - Army 13th Armor Battalion ( Combined Arms ) A member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard with beret and halberd Vatican state The Pontifical Swiss Guard wears large black berets. Venezuela Berets are worn by some units in the Venezuelan National Armed Forces, with distinctive colors for some units or functions. The beret colours are as follows : Venezuelan Army Colour Wearer black Venezuelan Army general issue berets ; included, the comandos ( Army special forces units ). green Army Counter-insurgency troops ( caribes ). red 311th Infantry Battalion `` Simon Bolivar '' ( Army ). Wears the red beret as the first and oldest active infantry battalion of the Army. red 42nd Airborne Brigade ( Army ). dark blue Army Headquarters and Security Group ( Lieutenant General Daniel Florencio O  ́ Leary Headquarters Battalion ). Venezuelan Navy Colour Wearer black Venezuelan Marine Corps general issue berets ( since 2009 ). Venezuelan Air Force Colour Wearer blue Venezuelan Air Force Infantry units ( Infantería Aérea ) and Air Force Police personnel. black 20nd Special Forces Group ( since 2016 ). Venezuelan National Guard Colour Wearer maroon Venezuelan National Guard general issue berets. Berets in inter-service units Colour Wearer red Presidential Honor Guard Brigade ( armed forces joint unit ). red Armed Forces General Headquarters ( Minister Of Defence troops ( Caracas Battalion ), armed forces joint unit ). Note : Before the conversion to the red berets, the Caracas Battalion wore dark blue berets similar to those used by the O'Leary Battalion. Note : Bolivarian National Police general issue red berets ( since 2017 ). Vietnam Berets used by the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Vietnam People 's Navy are : Blue - Enlisted Seamen Black - Officers and NCOs Dark Blue - Marine Commandos and Naval Infantrymen During the celebration of the 40th Reunification Day, the People 's Army of Vietnam presented new models of berets : Green and camouflaged berets are worn by Infantry Reconnaissance troopers and Ground Commandos respectively. Red berets are worn by Airborne Forces. Army 's servicemen served within the United Nations will bear the UN blue beret Zambia Black - Armoured troops Green -- Zambia rifles ( Infantry ) Maroon - Paracommando Scarlet - Military police Dark Blue - worn by all other Army units Khaki - colonels and general officers with combat uniform Grey - blue - Air Force personnel Khaki - Black -- Zambia National Service personnel Zimbabwe Green -- Infantry Black -- Armoured Regiment Maroon -- Parachute Battalion Tartan Green - Commando Battalion Tan - Special Air Service Yellow -- Presidential Guard Cherry Red -- Military Police Blue - gray -- Zimbabwe Air Force Dark Blue -- All other units International Forces United Nations UN blue : United Nations peacekeeping forces wear a light blue beret ( in lieu of a helmet or bush hat ). Multinational Force and Observers Terracotta : All military members of the Multinational Force and Observers wear a terracotta - colored beret or bush hat in lieu of their normal headgear. African Union Lime or light green : African Union ( AU ) peacekeeping forces wear a lime or light green beret. AU troops were recently seen wearing the green berets in Sudan but only for a short while. The AU peacekeeping forces were later turned over to UN administration and swapped out their green berets for UN light blue ones. Camouflage berets A U.S. Navy SEAL in Vietnam with a camouflage beret A camouflage beret is a beret intended for use in the battlefield when wearing combat fatigues. They are mostly issued to the likes of special forces, particularly in jungle warfare operations. History Camouflage berets possibly originate from the General Service cap `` Cap, General Service '' issued to the British Army in a Khaki material before the introduction of Berets. It was first introduced under `` Army Council Instruction 1407 '' of September 1943. This cap was designed to replace the `` Field Service cap '' or `` FS Cap '' that had been worn since the outbreak of war. These caps were issued in priority to units serving overseas. UK based units got theirs later on. It was at first unpopular due to its over large appearance. This cap was not a beret. It was made from several pieces of drab cloth material, whereas a beret was a one piece item. It was based on the Scottish balmoral bonnet in design. First issues were made from the same gaberdine cloth as the old `` FS '' cap. Badges worn on it were the conventional Officers bronze, and OR 's badges in both plastic and metal. Units which had special distinctions could still wear these on the `` GS '' cap. The General Service cap was worn by regulation one inch above the eyebrows, with badge over the left eye and the cap pulled down to the right. But many wartime photos will show it worn pushed back on the head, which seemed to be a fashion with many soldiers late in the War. Officers could only obtain the cap upon repayment to the RAOC. They were not allowed to buy the cap until their unit had been issued with it wholesale. Higher ranking Officers often got away with wearing a Khaki beret, which was against regulations. Fashion conscious OR 's would also risk punishment from NCO 's / officers buying one of these for `` walking out ''. Not exactly camouflage but an early example is the Jungle Beret issued to the Australian Army during WW2. Users Argentina - Jungle Troops ( Brigada de Monte XII `` General Manuel Obligado '' ) Bolivia - Special Forces `` Bolivian Condors '' Brazil - Jungle Troops China - During the 80s, camo berets were issued to some of the recon forces of PLA. It has no cap badge on it. Denmark - Naval Infantry, Armoured forces of Bornholm ( Bornholms Værn 's Marineinfantery ) Disbanded Ecuador - IWIA ( indigenous tribal members unit ) forces Israel - Kfir Brigade ( Urban Combat ) Paraguay - Special Naval Forces Panama - 7th Infantry Company `` Macho de Monte '' ; Comando Operacional de Fuerzas Expeciales ( Cadre ) Philippines - Philippine Air Force pararescue Portugal - `` Flechas '' and Guinea 3rd Commando Company South Africa - 32 Buffalo Battalion South Korea - Army armoured units Thailand - Royal Thai Marine Corps and Navy SEALs See also Uniform beret, for the use of berets as uniform headgear outside the military Military berets by color : Black beret Green beret Maroon beret Red beret Tan beret Blue beret References Jump up ^ `` Uniforms '', page 587, Volume XXVII Encyclopædia Britannica, 1911 Edition Jump up ^ Pictures of the Argentine Armed Forces http://www.taringa.net/comunidades/naiem/7914799/Fuerzas-Especiales-Argentinas.html Jump up ^ Pictures of the Argentine Armed Forces http://www.taringa.net/posts/imagenes/17507569/Cazadores-del-Ejercito-Argentino.html Jump up ^ Australian Army Standing Orders for Dress Jump up ^ http://www.emol.com/noticias/internacional/2013/03/08/587573/militares-bolivianos-reciben-equipo-satelital-para-operar-en-limite-con-chile.html Jump up ^ PLA Caps and decorations Archived 2011 - 05 - 18 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ http://bohemia.cu/old/dossiers/historia/giron50aniversario/galeria/revista-militar.html Jump up ^ http://ventanadecuba2.bloguea.cu/2011/04/16/desfile-militar-aniversario-50-de-la-victoria-de-playa-giron/ Jump up ^ http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2017-01-02/40-imagenes-aereas-y-terrestres-de-este-2-de-enero/ Jump up ^ http://www.cubadefensa.cu/?q=node/3896 Jump up ^ http://www.granma.cu/granmad/2009/04/08/nacional/artic02.html Jump up ^ http://bohemia.cu/old/dossiers/historia/giron50aniversario/galeria/revista-militar.html Jump up ^ http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2017-01-02/40-imagenes-aereas-y-terrestres-de-este-2-de-enero/ Jump up ^ http://bohemia.cu/old/dossiers/historia/giron50aniversario/galeria/revista-militar.html Jump up ^ http://ventanadecuba2.bloguea.cu/2011/04/16/desfile-militar-aniversario-50-de-la-victoria-de-playa-giron/ Jump up ^ http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2017-01-02/40-imagenes-aereas-y-terrestres-de-este-2-de-enero/ Jump up ^ http://bohemia.cu/old/dossiers/historia/giron50aniversario/galeria/revista-militar.html Jump up ^ http://www.cubadebate.cu/temas/militar-e-inteligencia/2017/01/02/comienza-marcha-y-desfile-militar-en-la-plaza-de-la-revolucion/ Jump up ^ http://ventanadecuba2.bloguea.cu/2011/04/16/desfile-militar-aniversario-50-de-la-victoria-de-playa-giron/ Jump up ^ Edict about military uniforms ( in Czech ) Archived 2009 - 12 - 19 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Gyldendal 's Encyclopedia '' ( in Danish ). Retrieved October 31, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Nye myndigheder, nye baretmærker og farver ''. Forsvaret ( in Danish ). Jump up ^ Général Voyron, Rapport sur l'Expédition de Chine. 1900 - 1901, Paris, 1902, p. 99. Jump up ^ Gaujac, Paul. Officiers et Soldats de L'Armee Francaise 1943 - 1956. p. 89. ISBN 9 - 782352 - 501954. Jump up ^ http://www.kodam17cenderawasih-tniad.mil.id/2014/08/05/mengenal-baret-pada-tni/ Jump up ^ http://www.yluux.com/2011/05/16/bicentenario-paraguayo-desfile-militar Jump up ^ http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Paraguay-s-Lugo-changes-tack-ahead-of-summit-3664139.php Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2014 - 11 - 29. Retrieved 2014 - 11 - 17. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19670212&id=NyUeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5384,1639494 Jump up ^ http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=2677 Jump up ^ https://twitter.com/emadmde/status/545611035638788096?lang=es Jump up ^ `` Archived copy '' ( PDF ). Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 2011 - 12 - 05. Retrieved 2011 - 12 - 05. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ Kommunikation Verteidigung ( 2009 ). Schweizer Armee. p. 356. ISBN 978 - 3 - 7193 - 1515 - 3. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2014 - 11 - 29. Retrieved 2014 - 11 - 17. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ Archived 2018 - 06 - 19 at albayan.ae ( Error : unknown archive URL ) Jump up ^ Jewell, Brian ( 1981 ), British Battledress, 1937 - 61, Osprey Publishing, ISBN 0 - 85045 - 387 - 9 ( p. 22 ) Jump up ^ Oliver, Kingsley M ( 1997 ), Through Adversity : History of the Royal Air Force Regiment, Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, ISBN 978 - 0952959700 ( p. 49 ) Jump up ^ Gordon, David. Uniforms of the World War II Tommy ( Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, MT, 2005 ). ISBN 1 - 57510 - 122 - X Jump up ^ `` Yorkshire Gunners honoured for Service in Iraq and Afghanistan ''. Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 2012 - 09 - 29. Earlier in the day, in what marks a historic change in the history of one of the Batteries from the Regiment - 4 / 73 ( Sphinx ) Battery, the traditional dark blue beret of the Royal Artillery was replaced with a khaki - coloured beret. The change came about as a result of the Battery working closely, in times of war, with the Honourable Artillery Company Jump up ^ BBC website on British headdress Jump up ^ http://rafpolicehistory.blogspot.com/ Jump up ^ `` Yorkshire Gunners honoured for Service in Iraq and Afghanistan ''. Ministry of Defence. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2008 - 05 - 29. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 31. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/berethistory.htm Jump up ^ http://www.vhpamuseum.org/17thcav/3rdsquad/3rdsquaddtroop.shtml Jump up ^ Stanton, Shelby ( 1994 ). US Army Uniforms of the Cold War 1948 -- 1973. Stackpole Books. p. 223. Jump up ^ Lopez, C. Todd ( June 15, 2011 ). `` ACU changes make Velcro optional, patrol cap default headgear ''. United States Army. Retrieved February 27, 2017. Jump up ^ Quiet Professionals don brown beret, US Air Force Special Operations Command, by Capt Monique Roux, dated 8 January 2018, last accessed 28 April 2018 Jump up ^ http://www.specwarnet.net/americas/sbu.htm Jump up ^ http://notitotal.com/2016/11/27/gobierno-crea-grupo-especial-proteger-espacios-aereos/ Jump up ^ http://minci.gob.ve/2016/11/aviacion-militar-bolivariana-se-fortalece-con-la-creacion-de-un-nuevo-grupo-de-fuerzas-especiales-no-20/ Jump up ^ http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/aviacion-militar-bolivariana-cumplio-96-anos-defendiendo-cielo-patrio-fotos/ Jump up ^ https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25181&Cr=sudan&Cr1 Jump up ^ The Australian Army in World War II - Page 57 Mark Johnson ISBN 1472805224 Jump up ^ http://www.medalsgonemissing.com/Uniform-Kit-issued-to-the-AIF-During-WW2/5.html Jump up ^ http://www.austcdoassocvic.com/history1.htm Jump up ^ The other Cazadores de Monte brigades use Dark Green berets Hats and caps Western culture Formal Men : Top Opera Women : Cartwheel Cloche Cocktail Doll Draped turban Eugénie Fascinator Half Halo Juliet Mushroom Lampshade Picture Peach Pillbox Tam Semi-formal Homburg Anthony Eden Boater Bowler Informal Cabbage - tree Chupalla Fedora Trilby Flat Coppola Newsboy Panama Pork pie Smoking Uniforms Aviator Bearskin Bicorne Black Boonie Budenovka Busby Campaign Canadian military fur wedge Cappello Alpino Casquette d'Afrique Caubeen Cavalry Stetson Czapka Doctoral Forage Karvalakki Feather bonnet Hardee Kepi Nurse 's Maintenance / Chapeau Military beret / Uniform beret Black Blue Green Maroon Red Tan Patrol Peaked Mariner 's Sailor Printer 's Rogatywka Shako Side Titovka Triglavka Ski Slouch Sou'wester Student Faluche Square academic Tricorne Utility cover Religious Christian Biretta Canterbury Camauro Capirote Cappello romano Capuchon Headcovering Easter bonnet Mantilla Klobuk Epanokalimavkion Kalimavkion Koukoulion Mitre Pilgrim 's Salvation Army bonnet Shovel Skufia Zucchetto Jewish Jewish Kashket Kippah Kolpik Spodik Shtreimel Tembel Casual Animal Ascot Barretina Beanie Beret Bobble Breton Bucket Chilote Cowboy Boss of the Plains Fruit Knit Monmouth Party Tin foil Umbrella Whoopee Sports Cricket Baggy green Balaclava Baseball Trucker Bicycle clip Casquette Deerstalker Mounteere Rally Shower Sports visor Green eyeshade Stormy Kromer Historical Attifet Apex Beaver Bergère Boudoir Boyar Bycocket Capotain Cavalier Coal scuttle bonnet Coif Dolly Varden Dunce Fontange French hood Phrygian Hennin Kausia Kokoshnik Miner 's Mob Modius Pamela Petasos Pileus Poke bonnet Pudding Toque Witch Folk Albanian Arakhchin Asian conical Aso Oke Ayam Balmoral bonnet Bell - boy Beonggeoji Bhaad - gaaule topi Blangkon Blue bonnet Chapan Chengziguan Chullo Coloured Coonskin Cork Dhaka topi Doppa Dutch Energy dome Fez Four Winds Fujin Fulani Gandhi Gat Glengarry Icelandic tail Jaapi Jobawi Kalpak Karakul Kasa Kashket Keffiyeh Kofia Kufi Lika Ming Montenegrin Montera picona Mooskappe Nambawi Nón quai thao Ochipok Paag Pahlavi Pakol Papakha Pashteen Pungcha Qeleshe Qing Rastacap Šajkača Salako Salakot Senufo Bird Šibenik Sindhi Sombrero Sombrero calañés Sombrero cordobés Sombrero de catite Sombrero vueltiao Song Songkok Straw Šubara Sun Tam o ' shanter Tang Tanggeon Tantour Taqiyah Tokin Topor Tsunokakushi Tubeteika Tuque Tyrolean Ushanka Welsh Yanggwan Wrapped headwear Apostolnik Bashlyk Birrus Bonnet Boshiya Burqa Caul Chador Chaperon Cornette Dastar Do - rag Dumalla Emamah Għonnella Gook Gugel Gulle Haredi burqa sect Hijab Hogeon Hood Jangot Litham Mysore Peta Niqāb Pagri Paranja Pheta Puneri Pagadi Roach Snood Tichel Tudong Turban Veil Yashmak Hat parts Agal Aigrette Brim Bumper brim Campaign Cords Cointoise Gamsbart Hackle Lappet Plume Sarpech Visor Accessories Cockade Hat box Hatpin Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Military_beret&oldid=864683943 '' Categories : Military uniforms Berets Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Danish - language sources ( da ) All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from January 2018 Articles with permanently dead external links CS1 maint : Archived copy as title Webarchive template unknown archives All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from January 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from September 2018 All articles with vague or ambiguous time Vague or ambiguous time from April 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 18 October 2018, at 19 : 52 ( UTC ). 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Question: who wears a green beret in the air force
Answer: Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Specialists