Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Question: Is there any particular etiquette regarding civilians, in this case performing children, wearing military-style berets as their performance uniforms? Background and explanation: I'm a music teacher in the low-income, gang-ridden section of South Tucson, and one of my duties is directing the only public school-based Handbells Choir in the whole city. I have 12 kids in the group each year who are sort of becoming known as the elite of the South Side music programs each year. I arrange their music for them, and we pride ourselves in doing quality performances of music not normally associated with handbells; for instance, our Spring Concert this year consisted of Metallica, Evanescence, the Shirley Temple classic "Animal Crackers", 50's classic "Rockin' Robin," and Mozart. Well, being low-income we can't afford any fancy dress-up clothes. And, search for specifically handbells-type clothing and you get church choir robes, which are both too expensive and not acceptable for a public school. Someone suggested uniformed T-shirts; not bad, except that when we perform, we'd like something better than T-shirts. So, I've been thinking of the military-style beret, to be worn with whatever the kids are able to dress up in. Our school colors are maroon and white, and I know the maroon beret is a serious honor to earn in the US Military. So again, my question is, would getting maroon berets for my group be improper, out of respect to those in our military who have proudly earned the right to wear them in service? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 In my experience, most military berets come complete with a unit badge; if your beret has no badge, or (better still) sports the school badge, I can't see why anyone should complain. Edgar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streetstream Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 If someone would be offended by kids wearing similar berrets as a number of US military men, they really need to re-evaluate their live. I personally think you are over thinking this. I would say, go for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pigsty Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 What's a maroon beret for? A beret is just a hat. Except possibly for a few particular colours, it's not something the military can claim any special rights to, having pinched it from civilians in the first place. There's no military-pattern beret, so far as I know - the only real variation is whether or not you have the little touchon on the crown, and those without aren't exclusively military. And as Edgar says, it's really the badge as makes it military. I suspect some other factors may be more important. For instance, do you want your group to look like the Guardian Angels cadet force? Do you know how to put on a beret properly, so you don't end up looking like a pepper grinder? Can you afford a dozen berets in that colour (assuming they can't be picked up in any hat shop)? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echolmberg Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Gonna have to agree with Streetstream on this one. I think you're overthinking it. How bad has our society become that we have to ponder if a hat would be deemed inappropriate or maybe even "offensive" to someone? Even a robe for that matter would not and should not be considered inappropriate. Graduates wear them. Judges wear them. Even Gandalf the Grey wore them. What's next? What style of socks would be inappropriate? I say wear whatever style of anything that looks nice and is most affordable. If someone out there is going to be offended, then I say let them chip in some money and have them purchase some "appropriate" clothing. Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 As I had it explained to me years ago with regards to a British Para beret, it's fine to wear the beret itself; just don't wear the unit marking if you didn't earn the right to wear it. So I, too, would say just go for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Do for it. the USMC looked into berets in the 1970's I was told. it didn't make the cut not because it was too military, but "too french" LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 Thanks guys! Ya gotta understand that in education these days you unfortunately HAVE to overthink everything. We had a parent throwing a whole tirade here last week because her child had forgotten her lunch money, so the cafeteria put together a peanut-butter sandwich for her. The parent threw a fit that the "demeaning" gift of mere peanut butter had, and I quote, "TRAUMATIZED" her child! And that's not all; every week, sometimes every day, we're given trouble from things we wouldn't ever dream of. It has come to the point that we have to overthink everything just to avoid crazy lawsuits! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stikpusher Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 (edited) Question: Is there any particular etiquette regarding civilians, in this case performing children, wearing military-style berets as their performance uniforms? Background and explanation: I'm a music teacher in the low-income, gang-ridden section of South Tucson, and one of my duties is directing the only public school-based Handbells Choir in the whole city. I have 12 kids in the group each year who are sort of becoming known as the elite of the South Side music programs each year. I arrange their music for them, and we pride ourselves in doing quality performances of music not normally associated with handbells; for instance, our Spring Concert this year consisted of Metallica, Evanescence, the Shirley Temple classic "Animal Crackers", 50's classic "Rockin' Robin," and Mozart. Well, being low-income we can't afford any fancy dress-up clothes. And, search for specifically handbells-type clothing and you get church choir robes, which are both too expensive and not acceptable for a public school. Someone suggested uniformed T-shirts; not bad, except that when we perform, we'd like something better than T-shirts. So, I've been thinking of the military-style beret, to be worn with whatever the kids are able to dress up in. Our school colors are maroon and white, and I know the maroon beret is a serious honor to earn in the US Military. So again, my question is, would getting maroon berets for my group be improper, out of respect to those in our military who have proudly earned the right to wear them in service? Thanks! Being a former paratrooper, and one who has earned a Maroon beret, I'll chime in here. For a group to wear the beret in and of itself is no big deal. As others explained, if they are not trying to pass themselves off as paratroopers, there is no offense to be made or taken. After all, both Army Special Forces and the Girls Scouts have worn Green Berets for decades. There is no confusion as to who is who there. And since your school colors are maroon and white your color choice makes sense. And wearing the berets in a non military, but more traditional European style might be a consideration too. After all I dont think you're gonna be asking your choir to sport whitewall high and tight haircuts as was pretty much the unwriten standard when I wore my red beenie... Edited November 15, 2012 by stikpusher Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JasonW Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 What's a maroon beret for? Typically, maroon berets are airborne troops in US military service. I believe this is also universal in most NATO armies. British Para's started the tradition back in WWII.It signifies elite troops in a good portion of the world's military services. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JasonW Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 So again, my question is, would getting maroon berets for my group be improper, out of respect to those in our military who have proudly earned the right to wear them in service? Thanks! Having served in the Army, I will simply say it shouldn't be an issue at all for your kids to wear unmarked berets, maroon or otherwise. As long as there is no distinctive unit insignia on the berets it is not anything to be worried about for anybody really. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TonyT Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Having served in the RAF I cannot see a problem, as long as they do not have a military badge on them, they will look smart and give your kids an identity they can relate too.... Go for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Berets are one thing, but it could be a conversation starter if you go with WW1 German pointy helmets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 So again, my question is, would getting maroon berets for my group be improper, out of respect to those in our military who have proudly earned the right to wear them in service? Thanks! They can wear whatever color they'd like, no offense taken at all from this guy. Only green and tan are earned, maroon berets are a unit thing and most are not even on airborne status. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 unless whre talking about one of these i dont see a issue Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 . Only green and tan are earned, maroon berets are a unit thing and most are not even on airborne status. Ahhhhhh, yes they are. Perhaps not in YOUR country, but in Commonwealth countries like Canada. You EARN it. For us Green Berets are for everyone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Ahhhhhh, yes they are. Perhaps not in YOUR country, but in Commonwealth countries like Canada. You EARN it. For us Green Berets are for everyone. Canada has a military? Seeing how the individual lives in Arizona..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Canada has a military? Seeing how the individual lives in Arizona..... :< Considering how many of our troops have died fighting around Kandahar (not even to mention other minor kerfuffles like Dieppe or Vimy), this is a stunningly offensive comment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 :< Considering how many of our troops have died fighting around Kandahar (not even to mention other minor kerfuffles like Dieppe or Vimy), this is a stunningly offensive comment. Its a joke. Take a breath and relax Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Icehound Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Canada has a military? Seeing how the individual lives in Arizona..... Ah a joke,not very funny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Its a joke. Take a breath and relax I know it was intended as one. But just because it's a joke doesn't mean it can't be offensive, in bad taste, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JasonW Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 unless whre talking about one of these i dont see a issue Uh, that is a Barrett...... :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Hey, this is great stuff! Thanks for not only the advice, but also the grins and chuckles! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sunliner Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Very similar thing happened last year in my son's elementary school. Parents forgot to send lunch, cafeteria put something together for the kid-even tried to keep it hush (so as not to encourage others to "forget") and the parents flipped. ..."you humiliated my child...made him eat off a plate instead of a tray!". SMH Thanks guys! Ya gotta understand that in education these days you unfortunately HAVE to overthink everything. We had a parent throwing a whole tirade here last week because her child had forgotten her lunch money, so the cafeteria put together a peanut-butter sandwich for her. The parent threw a fit that the "demeaning" gift of mere peanut butter had, and I quote, "TRAUMATIZED" her child! And that's not all; every week, sometimes every day, we're given trouble from things we wouldn't ever dream of. It has come to the point that we have to overthink everything just to avoid crazy lawsuits! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stikpusher Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 They can wear whatever color they'd like, no offense taken at all from this guy. Only green and tan are earned, maroon berets are a unit thing and most are not even on airborne status. I would love to know a leg unit not on jump status that wears a maroon beret in the US Army. Yes there are a lot of 5 jump chumps out there with the wings but who have never served a day in an airborne unit but... at least they did make those 5, even if they never get to wear a maroon beret aside from their school photo. And if you don't make those 5 you can't get in and stay in an unit on jump status. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.