I wouldn't put it past Mr. "Photographic Memory" to have made a special point of having his pet PC commanders sh*t all over Captain Smith's "black beret" by issuing it to EVERYONE, as was done on his way out of power (March, 2001).
What an evil little troll that former "president" is...
...Within less than a year of taking office clintler sold out our military in Somalia, and then had his encore with the beret issue on his way out. Many throughout the Army who had earned the privelege of wearing the black beret, and indeed, many who hadn't, vehemently opposed the uniform change. Fortunately, at the time COL Keen of the 75th Ranger Regt. issued a statement regarding the change. I hope clinton has had the opportunity to read it because his efforts on the way out may have had results quite contrary to his intent...some excerpts from COL Keen's statement:
Fellow Rangers,
The purpose in writing this note is to inform you that the 75th Ranger Regiment will exchange our traditional Black Beret for a Tan Beret...The Tan color of the new Ranger Beret reinvigorates the historical and spiritual linkage throughout the history of the American Ranger. It is the color of the buckskin uniforms and animal skin hats of Rogers' Rangers, the first significant Ranger unit to fight on the American continent, and the genesis of the American Ranger lineage. Tan is the one universal and unifying color that transcends all Ranger Operations. It reflects the Butternut uniforms of Mosby's Rangers during the American Civil War. It is reminiscent of the numerous beach assaults in the European Theater and the jungle fighting in the Pacific Theaters of World War II, where Rangers and Marauders spearheaded victory. It represents the khaki uniform worn by our Korean and Vietnam War era Rangers and the color of the sand of Grenada, Panama, Iraq, and Mogadishu, where modern day Rangers lead the way as they fought and, at times, valiantly died accomplishing the Ranger mission...Tan rekindles the legacy of Rangers from all eras...
The Ranger Tan Beret will distinguish Rangers in the 21st Century as the Black Beret recognized them as a cut above in the past...
...Rangers have never been measured by what they have worn in peace or combat, but by commitment, dedication, physical and mental toughness, and willingness to Lead the Way --- Anywhere, Anytime...
...I hope that when our Army dons the Black Beret and our Rangers put on the Tan Beret we will move forward and focus on what is ultimately the most important task in front of us --- ensuring the continued high state of Readiness of the Ranger Regiment...
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!