Ten years ago the U.S. Army decided, as part of an initiative to “erase the distinctions between heavy and light forces,” that all soldiers would wear a black beret as part of their combat uniform. Many in the 75th Ranger Regiment protested the decision as the black beret had been their symbol. A tan beret was authorized to keep the Rangers distinct. However, the black beret has now been pulled, ultimately a casualty of impracticality. Soldiers found the wool beret hot and it offered no shade to compensate. They needed two hands to put it on and had to also bring a cap along when their field work required it. The army patrol cap is now once again the default head covering for the Army combat uniform.