What U.S. Military Wears Berets? Colors and Units

Members of several U.S. military branches wear berets, but the color and circumstances depend on their service, occupation, and unit. The Army and Air Force are particularly well known for berets that identify certain assignments or specialties, while a beret is not a universal part of every service member’s uniform.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating which u.s. military members wear berets.

In the Army, the black beret is an authorized headgear option with the service uniform, while soldiers in qualifying organizations may wear a distinctive beret instead. Green identifies Army Special Forces, maroon is associated with airborne units, tan identifies the 75th Ranger Regiment, and brown is associated with Security Force Assistance Brigades.

These colors are more than fashion choices: Army regulations determine who may wear each one and when it is appropriate. If you see a soldier wearing a particular color, it can offer a clue about their organization, though it should not be used to assume their complete training or service history.

The Air Force also uses berets to distinguish certain career fields: pararescue specialists wear maroon, combat controllers wear scarlet, special reconnaissance airmen wear gray, and tactical air control party airmen wear black. Security forces airmen wear a blue beret, providing another example of headgear tied to a specific military role.

Military berets are worn according to uniform rules, often with distinctive insignia, whereas a fashion beret is chosen for personal style rather than unit identification. Our Women’s 100% Wool Beret is a classic fashion option; for ideas on wearing a wool beret throughout the year, see our guide to warmth and seasonal styling.