In another way, this headdress is called maroon. It is worn by the most deserving. This is the best special forces unit. About who has the right to wear this beret, you will learn further.

A bit of history

For the first time, troops began to wear a red beret in the 80s. At that time, the Olympiad was to be held in the USSR and, accordingly, such an event required serious preparation and special precautions. Therefore, shortly before the sporting event, a special company was created. It was from it that the world-famous detachment "Vityaz" came out.

The red beret was necessary for the military to distinguish itself from other troops. The color scheme was not chosen by chance - it was a symbol of the country.

The first batch of berets was released in the amount of fifty pieces. Due to a shortage of dyes, the headdress became half green, half red. Until 1985, the beret was worn only in parades. For some time, all troops had this symbol. However, later they earned a red beret by passing certain tests. Until the 90s, examinations for the right to wear this headgear were held behind the scenes, but after the adoption of the regulation of 05/31/1993 by General Kulikov, everything became within the law. The document outlined what qualification tests the military must pass in order to receive the same

How to earn a red beret?

Many people have questions about who wears a red beret, which troops are considered worthy of this right. To determine the circle of the best military personnel, qualification tests were invented. The main objectives of this exam are:

• stimulation of education of high moral qualities;
• identification of military personnel with the best training in hostage release, etc.

Test stages

Tests for receiving such an award as a red beret are carried out in two stages. Military personnel must pass a preliminary exam and a main one.

The first tests involve the inspection of the military under a special program for the entire period of training. The score must be at least four. Servicemen must show excellent results in special physical, tactical and fire training. Testing includes:

Applicants for the red beret are tested a few days before the start of the qualifying trials. All exercises are repeated seven times. The main tests include:

• March (12 km).
• Four sets of hand-to-hand combat.
• Special
• Acrobatic exercises.
• High-speed shooting, inspection for fatigue.
• Conducting training matches.

Why can they take away the red beret?

They are deprived of the right to wear this headdress for several reasons. As a rule, for actions that discredit the rank of a soldier:

• violation of military discipline, charter and legislation;
• decrease in the level of training (physical and special);
• cowardice and cowardice during hostilities;
• unreasonable actions and miscalculations that entailed serious consequences (failure of the task, death of military personnel, etc.)
• inappropriate relationships.

Not everyone gets the red beret. As practice shows, only a third of those who wish receive the coveted headdress. Features of the test are as follows:

1. If a soldier has three or more comments, then he is removed from testing.
2. Helping and prompting the subjects is not allowed. Instructors do not interfere in the process during the passage of all obstacles.
3. Previously, the standard for "altitude" was equal to 30 seconds, since 2009 it has been 45 seconds.
4. In special forces units, it is not allowed to decorate a red beret. Ukraine, like other countries in which military personnel wear this headgear, also adheres to these rules.
5. "Krapoviki" differ from the rest in the angle of the beret. They wear it on the left side, while the Marine Corps and the Airborne Forces wear it on the right side.
6. The beret is not changed. A faded headdress is considered even more prestigious.
7. Only those who served under the contract can take part in the tests. The innovation was adopted after the reduction of military service to a year.
8. Red berets are also worn in Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. However, the procedure and test rules for all states are different. General exams, which are still held in other countries today, are hand-to-hand combat, shooting from standard weapons, and marching. All other tests are individual.

The maroon (red) beret was awarded only to the most courageous and courageous military personnel. Their professional, moral and physical qualities are at the highest level.

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Maroon beret- uniform headdress of military personnel and employees of units special purpose internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

• It is the exclusive pride of the commando.

• The right to wear a maroon beret is given to military personnel and employees of special forces units who have sufficient professional, physical and moral qualities and who have successfully passed qualification tests. In addition, the maroon beret can be awarded for courage and courage shown in the line of duty, as well as for special merits in the development of special forces and units.

In addition to military personnel, employees of the following civilian departments are allowed to qualify for qualification tests: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Drug Control Service, the Federal Penitentiary Service.

Story

• For the first time, as a uniform headdress of the special forces of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the maroon beret was adopted in 1978 in the 9th Special Purpose Training Company (URSN) of the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of OMSDON (Dzerzhinsky Division). The maroon color of the beret corresponded to the color of the shoulder straps of the military personnel of the internal troops. Chief of Combat Training of Internal Troops Lieutenant General Sidorov Alexander Georgievich- supported and approved this idea, and at his direction, the first 25 berets made of maroon-colored fabric were ordered at one of the factories. The first to receive a maroon beret is Sergeant Georgy Stolbusenko.

1979-1987

• Berets were worn during demonstration classes by a small group of military personnel, as well as officers and sergeants on public holidays.

• This year, the father of one of the URSN servicemen received a gift - 113 berets sewn from maroon-colored cloth (the company's regular strength). For six months, maroon berets were put on with the tacit consent of senior commanders, finding any reason for this.
• The founders of the new tradition were company commander Sergei Lysyuk and his deputy for special training Viktor Putilov. The idea to establish an exam for the right to wear a maroon beret in his unit was prompted by the book Alpha Team by Miklós Szabo, a former soldier of the US Special Forces, which described the process of selecting, recruiting and training Green Berets.

In the American special forces, nothing was ever given for nothing, everything had to be earned. The right to wear the green beret was earned through grueling trials, through blood and sweat.

Miklós Szabo, Alpha Team

In an effort to continuously improve the process of training special forces, their professional growth, Sergei Lysyuk and Viktor Putilov compiled an exam program, the passing of which automatically nominated the special forces that passed it to the elite.

In the initial period, qualification tests had to be carried out illegally, under the guise of complex control classes. The wearing of a maroon beret by the elite did not find understanding among the command, which believed that all military personnel of special forces units should wear this insignia, regardless of their level of training.

• May 31 - the commander of the internal troops Anatoly Sergeevich Kulikov approved the Regulations "On the qualification tests of military personnel for the right to wear a maroon beret." Only units of the special forces of the internal troops are handed over to the maroon beret.

• August 22 - Order of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 326 "On measures to comply with the rules for wearing the established form of clothing by employees of the internal affairs bodies and military personnel of the internal troops", according to which it was forbidden to wear maroon berets to employees of the internal affairs bodies and military personnel of the internal troops, except for special forces units of the internal troops .

• Various special forces units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - OMON, SOBR (OMSN), special forces departments of the GUIN (when they were still in the Ministry of Internal Affairs) - began to hand over maroon berets in their units. The conditions for surrender in these units differed from those adopted in the special forces of the internal troops - the tests were carried out in accordance with the tasks assigned to this detachment.
• Some units of the police special forces began to issue a maroon beret as a regular uniform.
• In the line units of the internal troops, the commanders, without any reason, began to issue a maroon beret to outsiders - mainly sponsors helping military units.
• A number of commanders are beginning to use surrender as a way to raise personal authority, a way to reward military personnel whom, for some reason, the commander considered it necessary to encourage. In addition, some commanders conducted tests with violations.

• May 8 - Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 531 "On military uniforms, insignia of military personnel and departmental insignia", according to which:

Officers and warrant officers of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (with the exception of officers and warrant officers of naval units and aviation, as well as special motorized military units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation) wear: a khaki woolen cap; wool cap with maroon piping

This decree destroyed the existing system of traditions and the previous normative acts of appropriation and wearing of the maroon beret.

• The order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR "On the procedure for passing qualification tests for the right to wear a maroon beret" streamlined the surrender process and excluded all speculation around the highest symbol of special forces.

Innovations: conducting qualification tests - centrally, in one place (in order to track the level of training of test participants); preliminary tests have been introduced - the selection of the most worthy servicemen who already have experience in participating in such events.

• September - the first qualification tests according to the new regulation

Tests

I. Purpose of testing:
1. To identify military personnel with the highest individual training for actions to neutralize armed criminals, free hostages and perform other tasks in critical situations and under emergency circumstances.
2. Creation of an incentive for the education of high moral qualities of military personnel.

II. Contracted and conscripted military personnel (who have served at least six months in special forces units) and who have shown solid knowledge and skills in all subjects of combat training of this course (with an overall rating of not lower than “good”) are allowed to test. . In this course, the main subjects are special fire, special physical and tactical training of internal troops.

1. Admission to the tests is carried out by the chairman of the Council of Krapovy berets on the basis of the report of the unit commander and the successful passing of the preliminary tests by the subjects.

Testing:
- running 3 thousand meters;
- pull-up (according to NFP-87);
- test 4x10 (push-ups from the floor, crouching emphasis, lying emphasis, abdominal exercise, jumping out of a crouching position) is carried out in seven repetitions.

Testing is carried out 2-3 days before the qualification tests.

2. The main tests are carried out on one day and include a forced march of at least 10 km, followed by overcoming obstacles in extreme conditions, testing training for storming high-rise buildings, acrobatics and hand-to-hand combat.

At all stages of the test, by order of the unit, the eldest of the commanders of the units, their deputies or officers of the headquarters of the special purpose unit is appointed.

Before making a forced march, the subjects line up on the parade ground.
The unit commander conducts briefings and gives the order to march.

BUT. When making a forced march, the introductory ones are decided:
- sudden "shelling" by the enemy;
- attack from the air;
- overcoming a water barrier (mandatory);
- site of contamination with OM;
- overcoming blockages, swampy areas and other natural obstacles;

- evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield;

- performance of physical exercises, flexion and extension of the arms in the position of emphasis lying.

The control time for the forced march is set by the unit commander, depending on the time of year, weather conditions and terrain. The time for the forced march should not exceed two hours.
Servicemen who do not meet this time are not allowed to further tests.
During the forced march, psychological tests of a provocative nature are possible to identify psychologically unstable subjects.

B. A special obstacle course is overcome on the move after the march.

During stages A and B, the test subjects are accompanied by instructors with “maroon berets”, at the rate of 5 test subjects, 1 instructor, who monitors the compliance of the test subjects with the established standards, and, if necessary, evacuates the injured and unconscious to a mobile medical station.

It is strictly forbidden for instructors to assist the subjects in marching and overcoming obstacles, as well as to interfere in the testing process, to give any commands and orders.

Throughout the route, 5-7 checkpoints are determined, at which subjects who are more than 50 meters behind the general group are removed from the march.
Charges prepared for detonation at the SPP should be hung on poles to enhance the sound power and prevent the throwing of stones and other objects on the ground.
The location of the charges along the SPP is marked with a red ribbon and signposts "Explosive, no passage!".

Smoke is carried out by RDG-2B and RDG-2Ch products of low intensity, so that obstacles and control marks are visible in order to prevent trainees from running into charges !!!

After passing the OSHP, in order to check the condition of the weapon during the forced march and overcoming obstacles, one blank shot is fired from the service weapon in the order indicated below.

The subjects who made the march and passed the SPP line up in one line. The commander announces the list, the serviceman goes out of order, sends a blank cartridge from the magazine into the chamber of the machine gun and fires upwards, in case of failure of the weapon, the test subject is not allowed to further tests.

AT. Checking the skills of high-speed shooting against the background of fatigue.
Trainees immediately after checking the operability of the weapon are advanced to the firing line to perform 1 SUUS from the machine gun. The commander must think over and organize the shooting in such a way that it takes no more than 20 seconds for the shooter.

G. Testing skills in storming high-rise buildings using special descending equipment is carried out on a five-story building.
The starting position of the person being checked is one step from the window in the room on the 5th floor. On command, the person being checked attaches the SSU carbine to the halyard and begins the descent. In the window opening on the 4th floor, he fires a burst from a machine gun with five blank cartridges. In the window opening on the 3rd floor, he prepares an imitation grenade, on the 2nd floor he kicks out a mock-up window frame and throws a grenade. After that, it descends to the ground. The duration of this exercise is 45 seconds.
Those who do not meet this time are not allowed to the subsequent tests.

- lifting by kip from a supine position;

- kick on the silhouette followed by somersault;

- a somersault forward from an acrobatic springboard or a flip bridge.

Exercises should be performed one after the other without stopping.

E. Performing 1, 2, 3, 4 sets of special exercises.
The complex is considered completed if the subject clearly, without failures, in strict sequence, with high quality of individual blocks and blows, completed the entire complex.

J. Training fights (have a special meaning).

The duel is fought for 12 minutes without a break with the change of 4 partners, one of which is the inspector (a soldier who already has a maroon beret).
A serviceman who has survived without a knockout and has been active himself for 12 minutes is considered to have passed the test. The assessment "pass", "fail" is given by the inspector (conducting sparring with the subjects) and members of the commission who control the fights of the subjects.

Note:
The subject is allowed to provide medical assistance on the site for no more than 1 minute during the battle.

One examiner checks three subjects in turn.

In the case of a passive duel between the test subjects, they are “smashed” for one minute, and each of them is fought by inspectors who will participate in the tests of the next test subjects. If the subjects still show passivity, the "breaking" is repeated.

The grossest mistake, which is practiced and is present in all special forces units, is the replacement of the inspector with a "fresh one", and from here comes the beating of the test subjects weary with loads. In the history of qualification tests, there were cases when the testers were stripped of their maroon berets for failing to complete the test within 12 minutes.

The pursuit of the number of maroon berets in the unit does not lead to good !!!

The doctor's decision on trials is the most important thing.

PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSING THE ACTIONS OF SUBJECTS

When conducting tests for the right to wear a maroon beret, an attestation commission is created in part, which is given by order in part. At each stage, the members of the qualification commission evaluate the subject, recording the results of the exercises performed in the protocol. All stages are evaluated "pass", "fail". In case of "failure", the subject is not allowed to further check. During the test, the subject may be given comments that are recorded in the protocol. If there are 3 comments, the serviceman is also removed from further tests.
A serviceman who has passed all the tests with an assessment of "test" is considered to have received the right to wear a maroon beret.

award ceremony

• The handing of the maroon beret is carried out during the general formation of the military unit (participants in the examination tests) in a solemn atmosphere. A serviceman who has successfully passed all the tests receives a beret, kisses it, standing on his right knee, puts it on his head, turns to the ranks, puts his hand to the headgear and says loudly: “I serve the Russian Federation and special forces!” (formerly "I serve the Fatherland and special forces!")

• From this moment on, a soldier has the right to wear a maroon beret with casual and dress uniforms. In the column of the military ticket "Special Marks", as a rule, an appropriate entry is made and sealed with the official seal of the unit. Later, a certificate with an identification number is issued, confirming the right to wear a maroon beret.

Deprivation of the right to wear

For actions that discredit the rank of a soldier of a Special Forces unit, a soldier may be deprived of the right to wear a maroon beret. Discrediting the rank of a soldier of a special forces unit is:

• Manifestation of cowardice and cowardice in the course of hostilities;
• Miscalculations and unreasonable actions that led to the death of comrades, disruption of a combat mission and other grave consequences;
• Reducing the level of their physical and special training;
• The use of special hand-to-hand combat techniques outside the combat situation and for selfish purposes;
• Allowing hazing;
• Gross violations of general military regulations and criminal law;
• Systematic violation of military discipline.

The decision to deprive the right to wear a maroon beret is made by the Council of maroon berets of a military unit at the request of the unit commander.

• In detachments and special forces units of the internal troops, "Councils of Krapov Berets" were created. They are the most trained and experienced "nettlers", enjoying unquestioned authority among colleagues. It is by decision of the council that one or another candidate is allowed to qualify for the right to wear a maroon beret.
• "Council of Krapovy berets of the Internal Troops" - formed by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Internal Troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs. Chairman - Colonel Igor Medvedev, Colonel Mikhail Illarionov was appointed deputy. It included a number of senior officers, as well as the chairmen of the "Councils of Krapov Berets" of military units. It was this collegial body, after holding a meeting in the city of Smolensk in 2008, that a proposal was made to hold two stages of the competition.

Facts

The maroon beret does not give its owner any privileges over the rest of the military (no salary increase, no promotion, no other special treatment).

• According to tradition, the so-called "krapoviki" wear berets with an inclination to the left side - in contrast to the military personnel of the Airborne Forces and the Marine Corps, who wear their hats with an inclination to the right side. This emphasizes that the maroon beret is not a simple element of uniform that is issued to any soldier, but the owner of the maroon beret has earned the right to wear it after passing all the tests. Parts of the Airborne Forces and the Marine Corps participating in military parades wear a beret with an inclination to the left - for the uniformity of the uniform of all participants (it is believed that this is done so that a band in the form of a flag can be seen from the stands, which is usually attached to the left, and on parades right) - but only for the duration of the parade.
• It is believed that the maroon beret (as well as the uniform) should not be decorated with various flags and other "badges", the use of which is widespread in other branches and types of troops. This is not accepted in the units of the Special Forces.
• No matter how worn the beret is, it is not replaced with a new one - it is believed that the prestige lies in the fact that the beret (like the uniform) is as faded as possible.
• After reducing the term of military service to one year, only contract soldiers are allowed to take the exam for the right to wear a maroon beret.

The beret is a symbol of courage and courage, its wearing is practiced in almost all armies of the world. As a rule, in any branch of the armed forces of Russia, in addition to everyday uniforms, caps and peaked caps, there are also additional accessories just in the form of berets.

In some troops, everyone can get such a headdress, in other cases, they take it - a special thing, a relic, the right to wear which can only be obtained by passing a difficult exam. Today we will talk about one of these relics. This is the black beret, better known as the Marine Corps beret. We will learn how to get this honorable headdress, which troops wear it and how to care for it.

Who is eligible to wear and how is the exam

Marines, as well as fighters of special forces of the internal troops of Russia (OMON), can claim to wear a black beret. There is only one way to get such a right - with honor to pass a difficult test, which takes place at a separate training ground on a specially designated day. Passing for a black beret includes an exam consisting of several stages. Only fighters recognized as the best according to the results of the final test of skills acquired during the training period under the special forces program can be allowed to pass. The test itself goes like this.

At the first stage, the applicants will have to march, which includes such elements as overcoming a water barrier, orienteering, transferring a comrade, and performing various introductory ones. At the same time, the fighters have a complete set of calculations, including body armor, helmets and weapons. The next part of the test is a special obstacle course. The situation here is complicated by the fact that overcoming serious obstacles is carried out in conditions of smoke or gas contamination (respectively, the use of a gas mask is necessary). Also, the difficult path is accompanied by arbitrary explosions from different sides.

The remaining candidates are then required to demonstrate their fitness and endurance skills. For this, certain sets of exercises are provided. This is followed by the passing of shooting standards (here, the calculation is that the body is already exhausted, and the fighter will need additional concentration to hit the target). Finally, the final part of the exam is hand-to-hand combat. This test includes 3 sparring sessions (2 minutes each) with a change of opponents.

After successfully passing the exam, the time comes for the presentation of the black beret. Thus, those who have not been broken by difficult trials, weapons and self-control have not failed, with all the formation, they are solemnly awarded the honorary right to wear a beret and are handed directly to the headdress itself. Due to the fact that the event takes place no more than once every six months, and there are usually not so many candidates, the award can be carried out by an outstanding and honored officer who distinguished himself by personal heroism and was awarded high ranks.

At first glance, it may seem that taking the black exam is somewhat easier than. But in fact, both checks require remarkable preparation, physical strength and a powerful spirit, and in terms of the amount of energy expended, they are approximately identical. Tests differ mainly in the length of the forced march, the time of hand-to-hand combat, penalties and the intricacies of building an obstacle course.

How to care

A black beret is a special headdress, so the owner simply does not have the right to neglect his appearance. In order for the beret to sit beautifully and stately, it must be beaten off. There are several ways from a simple “wet, iron, steam and beat with a hammer along the edge” to a real ceremony, after which the honorary headdress will look and sit perfectly on the fighter.

Considering the price at which the coveted accessory was obtained, any soldier treats the process of beating responsibly. The approximate order of how to beat off the beret of the Marine Corps looks like this:

• first you need to carefully rip the lining;
• place the beret in hot water, wait 2-3 minutes, then wring out;
• inserting a cockade, put it on your head;
• in front of the mirror, you need to give the beret the desired shape, pressing hard in the right places;
• the fixation process is carried out by applying and tightly rubbing shaving foam into the fabric, this is done right on the head;
• when the beret starts to dry, you can set it aside for final drying - it will not lose its shape;
• in order for the beret to be smooth, you need to “shave” it with a machine, thereby removing the spools.

At the end of the procedure, the inside must be treated with hairspray, preferably in a large volume. Thus, the beret will not be able to lose its shape, and will become a real decoration on the head of a courageous and strong fighter.

Summing up, the following points can be highlighted:

• black berets in the Russian army are assigned to the special forces of the Marines and OMON;
• the right to wear a beret is only available to fighters who have proven their worth when passing a special test;
• there are no age restrictions for passing the test, it all depends on the physical and psychological preparation of the fighter, you can get a beret even as a forty-year-old veteran, setting a real example of courage for young special forces.

In many armies of the world, berets indicate that the units using them belong to the elite troops. Since they have a special mission, the elite units must have something to separate them from the rest. For example, the famous "green beret" is "a symbol of excellence, a sign of valor and distinction in the struggle for freedom."

History of the military beret.

Given the practicality of the beret, the informal use of the beret by the European military goes back thousands of years. An example is the blue beret, which became the symbol of the Scottish military in the 16th and 17th centuries. As an official military headdress, the beret began to be used during the War of Succession to the Spanish Crown in 1830, commissioned by General Tomás de Zumalacárregui, who wanted to make headdresses resistant to the vagaries of mountain weather, easy to care for and used on special occasions in an inexpensive way. .

1. Other countries followed suit after the creation of the French Alpine Chasseurs in the early 1880s. These mountain troops wore clothing that included several features that were innovative for the time. Including large berets, which have survived to this day.

2. Berets have features that make them very attractive to the military: they are cheap, can be made in a wide range of colors, can be rolled up and tucked into a pocket or under a shoulder strap, they can be worn with headphones (this is one of the reasons why tankers have adopted beret).

The beret was found especially useful for armored car crews, and the British Tank Corps (later the Royal Tank Corps) adopted this headgear as early as 1918.

3. After World War 1, when the issue of official changes in the form of clothing was considered at a high level, General Elles, who was a promoter of berets, made another argument - during maneuvers it is comfortable to sleep in a beret and it can be used as a balaclava. After lengthy debate in the Ministry of Defense, the black beret was officially approved by His Majesty's decree of March 5, 1924. The black beret remained the exclusive privilege of the Royal Tank Corps for quite some time. Then the practicality of this headgear was noticed by the rest, and by 1940 all armored units in the UK began to wear black berets.

4. German tank crews in the late 1930s also adopted the beret with the addition of a padded helmet inside. Black has become popular in the headgear of tank crews as it does not show oil stains.

5. The Second World War gave berets a new popularity. English and American saboteurs, who were thrown behind the Germans, in particular, to France, quickly appreciated the convenience of berets, especially dark colors - it was convenient to hide hair under them, they protected the head from the cold, the beret was used as a balaclava, etc. Some English units introduced berets as a headdress for formations and military branches. For example, it was with the SAS - the Special Aviation Service, a special forces unit engaged in sabotage and reconnaissance behind enemy lines - they took a sand-colored beret (it symbolized the desert, where the SAS had to work hard against Rommel's army). British paratroopers chose a crimson beret - according to legend, the writer Daphne DuMaurier, the wife of General Frederick Brown, one of the heroes of the Second World War, suggested this color. For the color of the beret, paratroopers immediately received the nickname "cherries". Since then, the crimson beret has become the unofficial symbol of military paratroopers around the world.

6. The first use of berets in the US military dates back to 1943. The 509th Airborne Regiment received crimson berets from their English colleagues as a sign of recognition and respect. The use of a beret as a headdress for military personnel in the Soviet Union dates back to 1936. According to the order of the NPO of the USSR, women soldiers and students of military academies were supposed to wear dark blue berets as part of summer uniforms.

7. Berets became the default military headgear at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, just like the cocked hat, shako, cap, cap, cap, at one time in the respective eras. Berets are now worn by many military personnel in most countries around the world.

8. And now, in fact, about the berets in the elite troops. And we will start, of course, with the Alpine Jaegers - the unit that introduced the fashion for wearing berets in the army. The Alpine Chasseurs (Mountain Fusiliers) are the elite mountain infantry of the French Army. They are trained to fight in mountainous terrain and in urban areas. They wear a wide dark blue beret.

9. The French Foreign Legion wears light green berets.

11. French Navy commandos wear a green beret.

12. French Marines wear dark blue berets.

14. French Air Force Commandos wear dark blue berets.

15. French paratroopers wear red berets.

17. German airborne troops wear maroon berets (Maroon).

18. German special forces (KSK) wear berets of the same color, but with a different emblem.

19. The Swiss Guards of the Vatican wear a large black beret.

20. The Dutch Royal Marines wear dark blue berets.

21. Airmobile Brigade (11 Luchtmobiele Brigade) Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands wear maroon berets (Maroon).

22. Finnish Marines wear green berets.

23. Italian paratroopers of the Carabinieri regiment wear red berets.

24. Soldiers of the special unit of the Italian Navy wear green berets.

25. The Portuguese Marine Corps wears dark blue berets.

26. Soldiers of the British Parachute Regiment wear maroon berets (Maroon).

27. Paratroopers of the 16th Air Assault Brigade of the British Army wear the same beret, but with a different emblem.

28. Special Air Service (SAS) commandos have been wearing beige berets (tan) since World War 2.

29. The British Royal Marines wear green berets.

30. Riflemen from Her Majesty's Gurkha Brigade wear green berets.

31. Canadian paratroopers wear maroon berets.

32. The Australian Army's 2nd Commando Regiment wears green berets.

33. American Rangers wear a beige beret (tan).

34. The American "Green Berets" (United States Army Special Forces) naturally wear green berets, which were approved for them in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

35. The US Army Airborne troops wear maroon berets (Maroon), received in 1943 from their British colleagues and allies.

And in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), berets are not worn. In 1951, the Marine Corps introduced several types of berets, green and blue, but they were rejected by tough warriors because they looked "too feminine."

39. South Korean Marines wear green berets.

40. Special forces of the Georgian army wear maroon berets (Maroon).

41. Serbian special forces soldiers wear black berets.

42. The air assault brigade of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan wears blue berets.

43. Hugo Chavez wears the red beret of the Paratrooper Brigade of Venezuela.

Let's move on to the valiant elite troops of Russia and our fellow Slavs.

44. Our response to the appearance in the armies of NATO countries of units that wore berets, in particular parts of the US SOF, whose uniform headgear is green, was the Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR dated November 5, 1963 No. 248. According to the order, a new field uniform is being introduced for special forces units of the USSR Marine Corps. This uniform was supposed to be a black beret, made of cotton fabric for sailors and sergeants of military service and woolen fabric for officers.

45. Cockades and stripes on the berets of the marines changed many times: replacing the red star on the berets of sailors and sergeants with a black oval-shaped emblem with a red star and bright yellow edging, and later, in 1988, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR No. 250 of 4 March, the oval emblem was replaced by an asterisk bordered by a wreath. There were many innovations in the Russian army too, and now it looks like this.

After the approval of the new uniform for the Marine Corps, berets appeared in the airborne troops. In June 1967, Colonel General V.F. Margelov, then commander of the Airborne Forces, approved sketches of a new uniform for the airborne troops. The designer of the sketches was the artist A. B. Zhuk, known as the author of many books on small arms and as the author of illustrations for the SVE (Soviet Military Encyclopedia). It was A. B. Zhuk who proposed the crimson color of the beret for paratroopers. A raspberry-colored beret was at that time an attribute of belonging to the landing troops all over the world, and V.F. Margelov approved the wearing of a raspberry beret by military personnel of the Airborne Forces during parades in Moscow. On the right side of the beret was sewn a small blue triangular flag with the emblem of the airborne troops. On the berets of sergeants and soldiers in front there was a star framed by a wreath of ears, on the berets of officers, instead of an asterisk, a cockade was attached.

46. ​​During the November parade of 1967, the paratroopers were already dressed in a new uniform and crimson berets. However, at the very beginning of 1968, instead of crimson berets, paratroopers begin to wear blue berets. According to the military leadership, the color of the blue sky is more suitable for the airborne troops and by order No. 191 of the Minister of Defense of the USSR of July 26, 1969, the color blue was approved as a parade headdress for the Airborne Forces. Unlike the crimson beret, on which the flag sewn on the right side was blue, the flag on the blue beret became red.

47. And a modern, Russian version.

48. The soldiers of the GRU special forces wear the form of the Airborne Forces and, accordingly, blue berets.

49. Special forces units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia wear a maroon (dark red) beret.

50. But unlike other branches of the armed forces, such as marines or paratroopers, for special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the maroon beret is a sign of qualification and is awarded to the fighter only after he has undergone special training and has proved his right to wear a maroon beret.

53. Until the moment they receive a maroon beret, special forces soldiers wear a khaki beret

54. Intelligence soldiers of the internal troops wear a green beret. The right to wear this beret must also be earned, as well as the right to wear a maroon beret.

Our Ukrainian brothers are also heirs of the USSR, and therefore they have retained the beret colors used earlier in this country for their elite units.

55. The Marine Corps of Ukraine wears black berets.

56. Airmobile troops of Ukraine wear a blue beret.

57. Belarusian brothers also wear a blue beret in the Airborne Forces.

61. And finally, a little exotic. Soldiers of the Zimbabwe Presidential Guard wearing yellow berets.