Cornflower blue beret is proudly worn by servicemen of the FSO and FSB units. It was no coincidence that he was chosen as a headdress for employees of various branches of the army. The main reason for the decision was the free and comfortable form of the beret. It was comfortable to wear, protected from the weather, it could be worn under a helmet and with headphones. A particular advantage is provided in the field. Due to the lack of a frame, it was possible to sleep.
Beret story
The history of the beret begins in the distant sixteenth century. The name of this headdress, supposedly of Italian origin, translates as “flat hat”. He was worn by both civilian and military. Later, cocked caps became popular in the army, and they forgot about the beret for a while. He became an attribute of fashionistas. The headpiece was decorated with jewelry, feathers and embroidery. Sewed them from lace, velvet and silk fabrics.
In the army, the beret was again widespread only in the twentieth century, during the First World War. The first advantages of this headgear were appreciated by members of the British Tank Corps. The tank forces of some other states adopted the experience of the British. In Germany, they modified the beret, providing it with a soft helmet.
By the beginning of World War II, this headgear was spread in other branches of the army. He appeared in the United States Army in 1943 when the British paratroopers solemnly handed over their berets to the US paratrooper regiment in gratitude for their help in the fight against the fascist invaders. Today, this headdress is part of the uniforms of the armed forces of most countries of the world. Berets vary in shape and size, wearing method and color. Among the champions in the variety of colors, Israel is by no means the last place. The army of this state has thirteen beret flowers.
Berets in the armed forces of Russia
He entered the history of the Russian armed forces in 1936, during the time of the Soviet Union. Dark blue hats of such a cut were part of the summer uniform of female cadets and military personnel. In the early sixties, black berets began to be used by marines. A few years later, berets appeared among the paratroopers. Today they are used by almost all units of the Russian Armed Forces. The colors of berets have sixteen shades:
- the blue color is used by the airborne troops;
- blue berets are worn by aerospace personnel;
- FSB and FSO special forces units are those who wear cornflower-blue berets;
- green hats of three shades are used by border guards, reconnaissance troops and special forces of the Federal Bailiff Service;
- olive berets of two shades - part of the uniform of the railway troops and the Russian Guard;
- black color is an attribute of marines, coastal troops, tank troops, as well as riot police and special forces;
- gray hats are worn by employees of the Russian Guard;
- military police wears dark red berets; a lighter shade of red is used by YunArmy;
- bright orange color used by the Ministry of Emergencies;
- speckled (dark crimson) berets - a distinction of special forces units of the Ministry of the Interior, the Russian Guard and the Federal Penitentiary Service;
- camouflage colors are to be used by units of the armed forces that do not have their own headgear color.
Pride
Beret is not just a hat in the uniform of the armed forces of Russia. In some cases, the right to wear it can be obtained through difficult tests. First of all, this concerns the maroon beret. This also applies to green intelligence hats. Earlier, an exam was required to obtain an olive beret, however, this rule has now been abolished.
Military men who have served in special forces for at least six months are allowed to pass the exam on the right to own a speckled headdress. To get green or maroon beret, considerable physical and psychological preparation is required. Examination standards include a march, physical exercises, an assault line, an obstacle course, shooting, hand-to-hand combat and other tests. There is another opportunity to get berets. It is solemnly awarded to servicemen for special merits.
Change on beret
With the right to wear maroon-cornflower berets, the situation is somewhat simpler. Currently, pupils of military-patriotic centers are fighting for the right to wear them. However, it should be noted that young participants have to show great endurance and stamina. Not everyone can get the coveted reward on the first try. The delivery of cornflower berets takes place in a festive atmosphere, often retired commandos are invited to present.
The same berets with different meanings
Clarity should be made on the color of hats to avoid misunderstanding. Part of the official uniform of the FSO and FSB special forces units - cornflower beret. At the same time, hats of this color are a distinction and, of course, a subject of pride for pupils of patriotic centers. These pupils can be cadets of military schools or just schoolchildren. In fact, they are only indirectly related to special forces. The main link is the desire to devote life to the defense of the Motherland. The cornflower-blue color of berets for the participants of the military-patriotic detachments was chosen earlier than adopted as the uniform headdress of the special forces. Confusion due to the same colors does not arise, in addition, special forces soldiers are not often found in official uniforms. For this reason, young patriots and currently pass exams for the right to wear takes the same color as the FSO and FSB units of Russia.
Presidential Regiment. Formation history
In 2016, the Presidential Regiment celebrated its eightieth birthday. In April 1936, the Kremlin regiment was formed. During the Great Patriotic War, he defended the walls of the Kremlin from German air raids. Part of the regiment took part in hostilities on different fronts. Over the eighty years of its existence, this military unit has changed its name several times, and today the regiment is called the Presidential.
The position of the Presidential Regiment today
The regiment has been a member of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation since 2004. The unit commander reports directly to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, that is, the President of the Russian Federation. The seat of the regiment throughout the entire time of its existence is the building of the Arsenal.
The main task of the military personnel of the unit is to ensure the security of Kremlin facilities and special events taking place on Red Square. They also organize guard of honor at the Mausoleum and the Eternal Flame. A significant role is assigned to employees of the regiment at the inauguration of the president. They provide a guard of honor and solemnly introduce the symbols of power, the standard, the Constitution and the flag of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that during ceremonies and protocol events the employees of the Presidential Regiment do not use cornflower berets.
The employees of this unit are subject to rather high requirements, ranging from growth to hearing acuity. In addition, candidates and their relatives should not be tried or registered with the authorities. Such a careful selection indicates that only the most worthy candidates receive the right to wear a cornflower blue beret of the Presidential Regiment of the FSO of Russia.
Military uniform of the Presidential regiment
An interesting fact is that until 1998, the unit, always in the forefront of all official events and celebrations, did not have an approved uniform. In 1998, a presidential decree was issued on the ceremonial form of the Presidential Regiment with a list of clothing items and insignia and an order from the FSO describing these elements. Next came the FSO order on the rules of wearing a uniform.
As mentioned above, in the ceremonial form of the military, the cornflower beret is missing. As a headdress, a shako is used. Cornflower beret complements the everyday summer uniform. The outfit also includes a vest with cornflower blue stripes. Initially, they were supposed to be worn only by special forces, but later they were distributed to all ordinary servants and sergeants. It should be noted that cornflower blue is inherently present in the details of clothing. For example, a girdle in the form of a summer guard, buttonholes in the corners of the collars, chest lapels, epaulettes and epaulets.
“Cornflower blue story”
Where did the cornflower blossom come from in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation? The fact is that modern units of the FSO and FSB are descendants of the gendarmerie teams of Emperor Alexander the First. In 1815, the rules for uniforms of the Gendarmes Corps were established, including light blue uniforms. Later, a darker shade of blue was added to the uniform.
With the advent of Soviet power, the gendarme corps was abolished, and the State Security Committee and the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs replaced it. KGB and NKVD officers adopted the basic colors of uniforms from their predecessors. Directly cornflower blue color first appeared in the caps of the NKVD in 1937. Since 1943, this color was added to shoulder straps, stripes, buttonholes, belts and other elements of the uniform.
Beret Introduction
The official introduction of the cornflower beret and vest of the same established color was noted in Presidential Decree No. 531 in 2005. Headgear was introduced for the Presidential Regiment of the FSO and the FSB. Currently, this decree has been canceled, decree No. 293 has entered into force in 2010. According to the latest amendments made on July 5, 2017, the woolen beret and vest of the established color are part of the official uniform of officers and warrant officers of the special forces of the FSO and FSB and the Presidential FSO regiment.
