Cornflower beret is proudly worn by servicemen of the FSO and FSB units. It was not chosen by chance as a headdress for employees of different branches of the military. The main reason for the decision was the free and comfortable shape of the beret. It was comfortable to wear, protected from the weather, and could be worn under a helmet and with earmuffs. The beret provided a particular advantage in the field. Due to the lack of a frame, it was possible to sleep in it.
History of the beret
The history of the beret begins in the distant sixteenth century. The name of this headdress, presumably of Italian origin, is translated as "flat cap". It was worn by both civilians and military. Later, cocked hats became popular in the army, and the beret was forgotten for a while. It has become an attribute of fashionistas. The headdress was decorated with jewels, feathers and embroidery. They were sewn from lace, velvet and silk fabrics.
In the army, the beret again became widespread only in the twentieth century, during the First World War. The first to appreciate the advantages of this headdressmembers of the British Armored Corps. The tank forces of some other states adopted the experience of the British. In Germany, the beret was modified with a soft helmet.
By the beginning of the Second World War, this headgear had become widespread in other branches of the military. It appeared in the United States Army in 1943, when British paratroopers solemnly presented their berets to the US Paratrooper Regiment in gratitude for their help in the fight against the Nazi invaders. Today, this headdress is part of the uniform of the armed forces of most countries of the world. Berets vary in shape and size, in the way they are worn and in color. Among the champions in the variety of colors, Israel occupies not the last place. There are thirteen colors of berets in the army of this state.
Berets in the armed forces of Russia
The beret entered the history of the Russian armed forces in 1936, during the Soviet Union. Dark blue hats of this cut were part of the summer uniforms of female cadets and military personnel. In the early sixties, the Marines began to use the black beret. 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 the berets have sixteen shades:
- blue used by airborne troops;
- blue berets worn by members of the aerospace force;
- special forces of the FSB and FSO are those who wear cornflower blue berets;
- green hats in three shades are used by border guards, intelligence troops and special forces units of the Federal Bailiff Service;
- olive berets in two shades - part of the uniform of the railway troops and the National Guard;
- black color is an attribute of marines, coastal troops, tank troops, as well as OMON and SOBR;
- grey hats are worn by employees of the National Guard;
- military police wear a dark red beret, a lighter shade of red is used by the YunArmy;
- bright orange used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
- maroon (dark raspberry) berets - insignia of special forces units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National 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 headdress in the uniform of the Russian armed forces. In some cases, the right to wear it can be obtained by passing the most difficult tests. First of all, this concerns the maroon beret. This also applies to green intelligence headgear. Previously, passing the exam was also required to receive the olive beret, but this rule has now been abolished.
Military personnel who have served in special forces units for at least six months are allowed to take the exam for the right to own a maroon headdress. To get a green or maroon beret requires considerable physical and psychologicalpreparation. The examination standards include a forced march, physical exercises, an assault strip, an obstacle course, shooting, hand-to-hand combat and other tests. There is another possibility to get a beret. It is solemnly awarded to servicemen for special merits.
Surrender to beret
With the right to wear maroon-cornflower blue 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 manages to get the coveted reward on the first try. The presentation of cornflower blue berets takes place in a solemn atmosphere, often retired special forces are invited to the presentation.
Same berets with different meanings
It is necessary to clarify the issue of the colors of hats in order to avoid misunderstandings. Part of the official uniform of the special forces units of the FSO and the FSB is a cornflower blue beret. At the same time, headdresses of this color are a sign of distinction and, of course, a source of pride for pupils of patriotic centers. These pupils may be cadets of military schools or simply schoolchildren. In fact, they are only indirectly related to special forces units. The main link is the desire to devote one's life to the defense of the Motherland. The cornflower-blue color of the berets for members of the military-patriotic detachments was chosen earlier than it was adopted as a special forces uniform headdress. There is no confusion due to the same colors, moreoverspecial forces soldiers are not often seen in official uniform. For this reason, young patriots are currently taking exams for the right to wear a beret of the same color as the units of the FSO and the FSB of Russia.
Presidential Regiment. Formation history
In 2016, the Presidential Regiment celebrated its 80th 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 part of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation since 2004. The unit commander reports directly to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that is, the President of the Russian Federation. The location of the regiment throughout the entire period of its existence is the building of the Arsenal.
The main task of the servicemen of the unit is to ensure the security of the Kremlin facilities and ceremonial events taking place on Red Square. They also organize honor guards at the Mausoleum and the Eternal Flame. A significant role is given to the employees of the regiment at the inauguration of the president. They provide a guard of honor and solemnly bring in 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, employeesThe Presidential Regiment's cornflower blue beret is not used.
Quite high requirements are imposed on the employees of this unit, ranging from height to hearing acuity. In addition, candidates and their relatives should not have a criminal record or be registered with the authorities. Such a careful selection suggests that only the most deserving candidates get the right to wear the 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 participating in all official events and celebrations, did not have an approved uniform. In 1998, a presidential decree was issued on the ceremonial uniform of the Presidential Regiment with a list of elements of clothing and insignia and an order of the FSO describing these elements. The next was the FSO order on the rules for wearing uniforms.
As mentioned above, in the ceremonial uniform of military personnel, there is no cornflower blue beret. A shako is used as a headdress. Vasilkova's 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 units, but later they were extended to all ordinary employees and sergeants. It should be noted that the cornflower blue color is also inherent in the details of clothing. For example, a band in the form of a summer guard, buttonholes in the corners of collars, breast lapels,epaulettes and shoulder straps.
Cornflower Story
Where did the cornflower blue color come from in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation? The fact is that the modern units of the FSO and the FSB are descendants of the gendarme teams of Emperor Alexander the First. In 1815, the rules for the uniforms of the Gendarme 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 gendarmerie corps was abolished, and they were replaced by the State Security Committee and the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs. The KGB and NKVD officers adopted the basic colors of their uniforms from their predecessors. Directly cornflower blue first appeared in the caps of the NKVD in 1937. Since 1943, this color has been added to shoulder straps, stripes, buttonholes, belts and other elements of the uniform.
Beret introduction
The official introduction of a cornflower-blue beret and a vest of the same established color was noted in Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 531 in 2005. The headgear was introduced for the Presidential Regiment of the FSO and the FSB. Currently, this decree has been canceled, since 2010 decree No. 293 has come into force. According to the latest changes made on July 5, 2017, a woolen beret and a vest of the established color are part of the official uniform of the officers and warrant officers of the special forces units of the FSO and the FSB and the Presidential FSO regiment.
Description and wearing rules
Cornflower beret is sewn from woolen cloth, along the side seams of the walls on both sidesthere are two ventilation blocks. There is a cockade on its wall in front. In order to avoid injury by the fastenings of the cockade, a lining is sewn inside the beret. The headpiece is sheathed in leather, an adjustment cord is missing inside the piping. A metal badge in the shape of the flag of the Russian Federation is attached to the cornflower-blue beret of the FSO on the left side.
The headdress should be worn with a slight inclination to the right. The edge of the beret is two to four centimeters above the level of the eyebrows.
