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|image5 = USAF Security Forces Officer Wearing Dark-Blue Beret with Officer Flash.png
|image5 = USAF Security Forces Officer Wearing Dark-Blue Beret with Officer Flash.png
|caption5 = An Air Force officer wearing navy-blue beret with Security Forces Officer Beret Flash bearing polished medal [[Second_lieutenant#United_States|second lieutenant]] rank insignia
|caption5 = An Air Force officer wearing navy-blue beret with Security Forces Officer Beret Flash bearing polished medal [[Second_lieutenant#United_States|second lieutenant]] rank insignia
|image6 = USAF 1st African-American female Grey Beret.png
|image6 = Capt Daniel Hall-Commander-at activation ceremony-2019.jpg
|caption6 = An Air Force airman wearing gray beret with Combat Weather Team Beret Flash and Crest
|caption6 = An Air Force officer wearing black beret with TACP Beret Flash and Crest bearing miniature polished metal [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]] rank insignia
|image7 = Capt Daniel Hall-Commander-at activation ceremony-2019.jpg
|image7 = USAF 1st African-American female Grey Beret.png
|caption7 = An Air Force officer wearing black beret with TACP Beret Flash and Crest bearing miniature polished metal [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]] rank insignia
|caption7 = An Air Force airman wearing gray beret with Combat Weather Team Beret Flash and Crest
|image8 = JCSE Command Team at Founders Day-2019.png
|image8 = JCSE Command Team at Founders Day-2019.png
|caption8 = An Air Force officer and Army NCO wearing maroon berets with Joint Communications Support Element Beret Flash, the officer affixing his polished metal [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] rank insignia and the NCO her [[:File:US DoD Joint Communications Support Element DUI.png|unit's DUI]]
|caption8 = An Air Force officer and Army NCO wearing maroon berets with Joint Communications Support Element Beret Flash, the officer affixing his polished metal [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] rank insignia and the NCO her [[:File:US DoD Joint Communications Support Element DUI.png|unit's DUI]]
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In the [[United States]] (US) military, a '''beret flash''' is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically {{convert|2.25|in|cm|2|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|1.875|in|cm|2|abbr=on}} wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a [[military beret]].<ref name="DA PAM 670-1">[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30948-PAM_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf "Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1, Uniform and Insignia Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"], Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 6 December 2022 {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="Beret Book">Beret Insignia of the U.S. Army, by William A Hudspeath, dated 1987, {{ASIN|B06XD7DSY9}}</ref><ref name="AR670-1 1981">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190619080154/http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll9/id/602 "AR 670–1 1981 (OBSOLETE):Wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia"], Department of the Army via Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library, dated 1 November 1981, last accessed 21 November 2020</ref> These flashes—a [[British English]] word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="Beret Book"/><ref name="AFI36-2903">[https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi36-2903/dafman36-2903.pdf "Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel"], [[United States Department of the Air Force|US Department of the Air Force]], dated 28 February 2023, last accessed 7 March 2023</ref>
In the [[United States]] (US) military, a '''beret flash''' is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically {{convert|2.25|in|cm|2|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|1.875|in|cm|2|abbr=on}} wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a [[military beret]].<ref name="DA PAM 670-1">[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30948-PAM_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf "Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1, Uniform and Insignia Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"], Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 6 December 2022 {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="Beret Book">Beret Insignia of the U.S. Army, by William A Hudspeath, dated 1987, {{ASIN|B06XD7DSY9}}</ref><ref name="AR670-1 1981">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190619080154/http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll9/id/602 "AR 670–1 1981 (OBSOLETE):Wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia"], Department of the Army via Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library, dated 1 November 1981, last accessed 21 November 2020</ref> These flashes—a [[British English]] word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="Beret Book"/><ref name="AFI36-2903">[https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi36-2903/dafman36-2903.pdf "Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel"], [[United States Department of the Air Force|US Department of the Air Force]], dated 28 February 2023, last accessed 7 March 2023</ref>


[[United States Army|Army]] soldiers and [[non-commissioned officer]]s (NCOs) affix their [[distinctive unit insignia]] (DUI), [[U.S. Army Regimental System|regimental distinctive insignia]] (when no DUI is authorized), [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] collar insignia (when assigned), or [[Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman|Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] collar insignia (when assigned) to the center of their beret flash.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="SMA">[https://www.dvidshub.net/news/425353/11th-abn-div-vets-pass-unit-legacy-newly-minted-arctic-angels "11th ABN DIV vets pass unit legacy to newly minted 'Arctic Angels'"], Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by Derrick Crawford, dated 19 July 2022, last accessed 9 July 2023</ref> Army [[Warrant officer (United States)|warrant officers]] and [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officers]] affix their polished metal [[United States Army officer rank insignia|rank insignia]] to the center of their beret flash while [[General officers in the United States|general officer's]] may choose to affix regular or miniature polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/> To better distinguish them from other Army personnel, [[Chaplain Corps (United States Army)|Army chaplains]] affix their polished metal [[United States Army branch insignia|branch insignia]] to the center of their beret flash.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/> [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] commissioned officers who are in the [[United States Air Force Security Forces|security forces]] or are [[Staff Weather Officer|weather parachutists]] wear their beret flash in the same manner as the Army while [[United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party|tactical air control party]] (TACP) officers attach a miniature version of their polished metal [[United States Air Force officer rank insignia|rank insignia]] below the [[United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party#TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry|TACP Crest on the TACP Beret Flash]].<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="1st AA CWT">[https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/2985679/first-african-american-female-grey-beret/ "First African-American Female Grey Beret"], [[93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing]], by 1st Lt Katie Tamesis, dated 31 March 2022, last accessed 7 March 2023</ref> Other Air Force [[airman|airmen]] and NCOs assigned to an [[Air Force specialty code]] (AFSC) authorized to wear a military beret with a beret flash will affix either their beret flash or beret flash with crest, depending on the AFSC.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/> Joint beret flashes—such as those worn by the [[Joint Communications Support Element]]—are worn by all who are assigned, given their uniform regulations allow, and will wear them in the manner prescribed by the joint unit.<ref name="JCSE Facebook">[https://www.facebook.com/JCSEpage/?ref=page_internal "Joint Communications Support Element–Government Organization"], official Facebook page, last accessed 20 January 2021</ref>
[[United States Army|Army]] soldiers and [[non-commissioned officer]]s (NCOs) affix their [[distinctive unit insignia]] (DUI), [[U.S. Army Regimental System|regimental distinctive insignia]] (when no DUI is authorized), [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] collar insignia (when assigned), or [[Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman|Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] collar insignia (when assigned) to the center of their beret flash.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="SMA">[https://www.dvidshub.net/news/425353/11th-abn-div-vets-pass-unit-legacy-newly-minted-arctic-angels "11th ABN DIV vets pass unit legacy to newly minted 'Arctic Angels'"], Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by Derrick Crawford, dated 19 July 2022, last accessed 9 July 2023</ref> Army [[Warrant officer (United States)|warrant officers]] and [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officers]] affix their polished metal [[United States Army officer rank insignia|rank insignia]] to the center of their beret flash while [[General officers in the United States|general officer's]] may choose to affix regular or miniature polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/> To better distinguish them from other Army personnel, [[Chaplain Corps (United States Army)|Army chaplains]] affix their polished metal [[United States Army branch insignia|branch insignia]] to the center of their beret flash.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/> [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] commissioned officers who are in the [[United States Air Force Security Forces|security forces]] or are [[Staff Weather Officer|weather parachutists]] wear their beret flash in the same manner as the Army while [[United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party|tactical air control party]] (TACP) officers attach a miniature version of their polished metal [[United States Air Force officer rank insignia|rank insignia]] below the [[United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party#TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry|TACP Crest on the TACP Beret Flash]].<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="1st AA CWT">[https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/2985679/first-african-american-female-grey-beret/ "First African-American Female Grey Beret"], [[93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing]], by 1st Lt Katie Tamesis, dated 31 March 2022, last accessed 7 March 2023</ref> Other Air Force [[airman|airmen]] and NCOs assigned to an [[Air Force Specialty Code]] (AFSC) authorized to wear a military beret with a beret flash will affix either their beret flash or beret flash with crest, depending on the AFSC.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/> Joint beret flashes—such as those worn by the [[Joint Communications Support Element]]—are worn by all who are assigned, given their uniform regulations allow, and will wear them in the manner prescribed by the joint unit.<ref name="JCSE Facebook">[https://www.facebook.com/JCSEpage/?ref=page_internal "Joint Communications Support Element–Government Organization"], official Facebook page, last accessed 20 January 2021</ref>


The design of all [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] (DoD) beret flashes are created and/or approved by [[United States Army Institute of Heraldry|The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army]].<ref name="AR670-1">[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf "Army Regulation 670–1 (2021), Uniform and Insignia Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"], Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 11 April 2021</ref> When a requesting element is entitled to have its own beret flash, the institute will conduct research into the requesting element's heraldry, as well as design suggestions from the requesting element, in the creation of a unit or specialty beret flash.<ref name="TIOH FAQ">[https://tioh.army.mil/FAQs/FaqsOrgInsignia.aspx?SectionID=103 "FAQs-Organizational Insignia"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref><ref name="TIOH Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lNxBqe4Ei8 "Big Picture: Your Army Reports: Number 10"], US Army's The Big Picture (TV 713), hosted on PublicResourceOrg YouTube Channel, dated 1967, posted 31 December 2010, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref> Leveraging geometrical divisions, shapes, and colors a heraldic artist will create a design that will represent the history and mission of the requesting element.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/> Once the element agrees upon a design, the institute will authorize the creation of the new beret flash and will establish [[:File:US Army TIOH Manufacturing Instructions Sheet-Army Flash.png|manufacturing instructions]] for the companies authorized to produce heraldic materials for the DoD.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/><ref name="TIOH Org">[https://tioh.army.mil/AboutUs/Organization.aspx?SectionID=109 "TIOH Organization"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref><ref name="TIOH 346th QM Co Flash">[https://www.rmda.army.mil/readingroom/'/ReadingRoom/FileDownload.dl?docId=a566d9fb-aac3-46e3-8300-b0efc4190ff4%27 "Beret Flash and Background Trimming for the 346th Quartermaster Company"]; Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; SAAA-IHS; dated 16 December 2019; last accessed 28 August 2022</ref> The institute will also monitor the production of the new beret flash to ensure quality and accuracy of the design is maintained.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/><ref name="TIOH Org"/>
The design of all [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] (DoD) beret flashes are created and/or approved by [[United States Army Institute of Heraldry|The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army]].<ref name="AR670-1">[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf "Army Regulation 670–1 (2021), Uniform and Insignia Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia"], Department of the Army, dated 26 January 2021, last accessed 11 April 2021</ref> When a requesting organization is entitled to have its own beret flash, the institute will conduct research into the requesting organization's heraldry, as well as design suggestions from the requesting organization, in the creation of a unit or specialty beret flash.<ref name="TIOH FAQ">[https://tioh.army.mil/FAQs/FaqsOrgInsignia.aspx?SectionID=103 "FAQs-Organizational Insignia"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref><ref name="TIOH Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lNxBqe4Ei8 "Big Picture: Your Army Reports: Number 10"], US Army's The Big Picture (TV 713), hosted on PublicResourceOrg YouTube Channel, dated 1967, posted 31 December 2010, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref> Leveraging geometrical divisions, shapes, and colors a heraldic artist will create a design that will represent the history and mission of the requesting organization.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/> Once the organization agrees upon a design, the institute will authorize the creation of the new beret flash and will establish [[:File:US Army TIOH Manufacturing Instructions Sheet-Army Flash.png|manufacturing instructions]] for the companies authorized to produce heraldic materials for the DoD.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/><ref name="TIOH Org">[https://tioh.army.mil/AboutUs/Organization.aspx?SectionID=109 "TIOH Organization"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, last accessed 28 August 2022</ref><ref name="TIOH 346th QM Co Flash">[https://www.rmda.army.mil/readingroom/'/ReadingRoom/FileDownload.dl?docId=a566d9fb-aac3-46e3-8300-b0efc4190ff4%27 "Beret Flash and Background Trimming for the 346th Quartermaster Company"]; Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry; SAAA-IHS; dated 16 December 2019; last accessed 28 August 2022</ref> The institute will also monitor the production of the new beret flash to ensure quality and accuracy of the design is maintained.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="TIOH Video"/><ref name="TIOH Org"/>
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|width2 = 155
|width2 = 155
|image2 = Former US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment black beret-circa 1970s.jpg
|image2 = Former US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment black beret-circa 1970s.jpg
|footer = An artillery NCO with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment wearing black beret with subdued [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]] rank insignia next to the Armored Cavalry Oval bearing his [[:File:11CRDUI.png|regiment's DUI]] ({{circa|1973–1975}})<ref name="www.army.mil"/><ref name="Various Army Berets"/><ref name="Enlisted Ranks">[https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services "History of U.S. Army Enlisted Grades"]; The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army; last accessed 21 February 2023</ref>}}
|footer = An artillery NCO with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment wearing black beret with subdued [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]] rank insignia next to the Armored Cavalry Oval bearing his [[:File:11CRDUI.png|regiment's DUI]] ({{circa|1973–1974}})<ref name="www.army.mil"/><ref name="Various Army Berets"/><ref name="Enlisted Ranks">[https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services "History of U.S. Army Enlisted Grades"]; The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army; last accessed 21 February 2023</ref><ref name="Rank History">[https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services History of U.S. Army Enlisted Grades]; The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army; last accessed 9 November 2024</ref>}}
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|header = 1st Cavalry Division example
|header = 1st Cavalry Division example
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The organizational beret flash did not become the norm across the Army until 1984 when the recognition bar was discontinued after the [[Special Forces Tab]] became authorized for wear by special forces qualified paratroopers.<ref name="Recognition Bar"/> Today, all paratroopers assigned to a special forces unit wear their unit's organizational beret flash on either a rifle–green beret, for special forces qualified paratroopers, or a maroon beret, for support paratroopers.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="7th SFG Change of Command"/>
The organizational beret flash did not become the norm across the Army until 1984 when the recognition bar was discontinued after the [[Special Forces Tab]] became authorized for wear by special forces qualified paratroopers.<ref name="Recognition Bar"/> Today, all paratroopers assigned to a special forces unit wear their unit's organizational beret flash on either a rifle–green beret, for special forces qualified paratroopers, or a maroon beret, for support paratroopers.<ref name="DA PAM 670-1"/><ref name="7th SFG Change of Command"/>
{{multiple image
{{multiple image
|header = Example of modern-day wear of the special forces organizational beret flashes
|header = Example of modern-day wear of special forces organizational beret flashes
|header_background= #DCDCDC
|header_background= #DCDCDC
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In 1979, weather parachutists were authorized to wear navy–blue berets with an Army style beret flash consisting of a blue and black field surrounded by yellow piping.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/> Enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash while officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="Weatherman History"/> In 1986, the gray beret was authorized for wear by weather parachutists who continued to wear the aforementioned cloth beret flash until a new large color metallic [[:File:1986-2001 US Air Force SOWT Beret Flash.png|Special Operations Weather Team Crest]] was authorized.<ref name="Weatherman History"/>
In 1979, weather parachutists were authorized to wear navy–blue berets with an Army style beret flash consisting of a blue and black field surrounded by yellow piping.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/> Enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash while officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="Weatherman History"/> In 1986, the gray beret was authorized for wear by weather parachutists who continued to wear the aforementioned cloth beret flash until a new large color metallic [[:File:1986-2001 US Air Force SOWT Beret Flash.png|Special Operations Weather Team Crest]] was authorized.<ref name="Weatherman History"/>


In 1992, the Air Force approved the return of the weather parachutist's blue, black, and yellow beret flash from the 1970s and affixed their large color metal Special Operations Weather Team Crest to it.<ref name="Weatherman History"/>
In 1992, the Air Force approved the return of the weather parachutist's blue, black, and yellow beret flash from the late 1970s to present and affixed their large color metal [[United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance|Special Operations Weather Team]] Crest to it.<ref name="Weatherman History"/>


{{multiple image
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|image2 = Example of USAF SOWT Beret Flash-circa 2008.jpg
|image2 = Example of USAF SOWT Beret Flash-circa 2008.jpg
|footer = A weather parachutist with AFSOC's [[Michigan Air National Guard|107th Weather Flight]] wearing gray beret with Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash and Combat Weather Team Crest (2008)<ref name="AFSOC SOWT Flash"/>}}
|footer = A weather parachutist with AFSOC's [[Michigan Air National Guard|107th Weather Flight]] wearing gray beret with Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash and Combat Weather Team Crest (2008)<ref name="AFSOC SOWT Flash"/>}}
In 1996, weather parachutists assigned to [[Air Force Special Operations Command]] (AFSOC) began wearing a new Army style beret flash, known as the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash, while those assigned to [[Air Combat Command]], known as combat weather teams, continued to wear the blue, black and yellow beret flash.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/><ref name="SOWT CWT">[https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195960/special-operations-weather-technicians-and-officers/ "Special Operations Weather Technicians and Officers"], [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], dated 2 June 2015, last accessed 16 March 2020</ref> The Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash consisted of a red border representing the blood shed by their predecessors, a black background representing special operations, and three diagonal lines of various colors representing the services they supported (green=Army, purple=joint forces, and blue=Air Force).<ref name="Weatherman History"/> Officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia while enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash until 2002 when the [[:File:USAF Special Operations Weatherman Flash.jpg|Combat Weather Team Crest]] was created.<ref name="Weatherman History"/> The Combat Weather Team Crest was affixed to both Special Operations Weather Team and Combat Weather Team Beret Flashes by enlisted and NCOs while officers affix their polished metal rank insignia to the appropriate beret flash.<ref name="1st AA CWT"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/><ref name="AFSOC SOWT Flash">[http://www.keesler.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/363549/earning-the-gray-beret/ "Earning the gray beret"], Keesler Air Force Base public website, dated 10 June 2008, last accessed 18 July 2017</ref><ref name="SOWT ACC Flash">[https://www.flickr.com/photos/rcsadvmedia/5871025429/in/album-72157627591270415/ "Christian Shepherd, 18th Weather Squadron Combat Weatherman"], flickr.com, dated 7 October 2007, last accessed 18 July 2017</ref>
In 1996, weather parachutists assigned to [[Air Force Special Operations Command]] (AFSOC) began wearing a new Army style beret flash, known as the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash, while those assigned to [[Air Combat Command]], known as combat weather teams, continued to wear the blue, black and yellow beret flash.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/><ref name="SOWT CWT">[https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195960/special-operations-weather-technicians-and-officers/ "Special Operations Weather Technicians and Officers"], [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], dated 2 June 2015, last accessed 16 March 2020</ref> The Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash consisted of a red border representing the blood shed by their predecessors, a black background representing special operations, and three diagonal lines of various colors representing the services they supported (green=Army, purple=joint forces, and blue=Air Force).<ref name="Weatherman History"/> Officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia while enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash until 2002 when the [[:File:USAF Special Operations Weatherman Flash.jpg|Combat Weather Team Crest]] was created.<ref name="Weatherman History"/> The Combat Weather Team Crest was affixed to both Special Operations Weather Team and Combat Weather Team Beret Flashes by enlisted and NCOs while officers continued to affix their polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="1st AA CWT"/><ref name="Weatherman History"/><ref name="AFSOC SOWT Flash">[http://www.keesler.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/363549/earning-the-gray-beret/ "Earning the gray beret"], Keesler Air Force Base public website, dated 10 June 2008, last accessed 18 July 2017</ref><ref name="SOWT ACC Flash">[https://www.flickr.com/photos/rcsadvmedia/5871025429/in/album-72157627591270415/ "Christian Shepherd, 18th Weather Squadron Combat Weatherman"], flickr.com, dated 7 October 2007, last accessed 18 July 2017</ref>


In 2007/2008, the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash stopped being worn by AFSOC weather parachutists while the Combat Weather Team Beret Flash continues to be worn by combat weather teams to this day.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="1st AA CWT"/><ref name="2010 SOWT in ceremony">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230410111852/https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Stories/Article/459758/sts-kicks-off-kadenas-remembrance-ceremony/ "STS kicks off Kadena's remembrance ceremony"], 353sog.af.mil, by SSgt Christopher Hummel, dated 12 November 2010, last accessed 27 August 2023</ref>
In 2007/2008, the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash stopped being worn by AFSOC weather parachutists while the Combat Weather Team Beret Flash continues to be worn by combat weather teams to this day.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="1st AA CWT"/><ref name="2010 SOWT in ceremony">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230410111852/https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Stories/Article/459758/sts-kicks-off-kadenas-remembrance-ceremony/ "STS kicks off Kadena's remembrance ceremony"], 353sog.af.mil, by SSgt Christopher Hummel, dated 12 November 2010, last accessed 27 August 2023</ref>
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|image2 = US Air Force 1041sr SPS airman conducting pistol practice-1967.jpg
|image2 = US Air Force 1041sr SPS airman conducting pistol practice-1967.jpg
|footer = A security policeman with the 1041st Security Police Squadron wearing dark–blue beret and unit beret flash ({{circa|1967}})<ref name="SafeSide Program">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDb0w-MTMg "USAF Safeside (Part 1 of 2)"], US Air Force, hosted at Krpinckney YouTube Channel—[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Air_Force_Safe_Side-1968.ogv video extract available on Commons]—dated 1968, posted 12 November 2009, last accessed 7 May 2020</ref>}}
|footer = A security policeman with the 1041st Security Police Squadron wearing dark–blue beret and unit beret flash ({{circa|1967}})<ref name="SafeSide Program">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDb0w-MTMg "USAF Safeside (Part 1 of 2)"], US Air Force, hosted at Krpinckney YouTube Channel—[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Air_Force_Safe_Side-1968.ogv video extract available on Commons]—dated 1968, posted 12 November 2009, last accessed 7 May 2020</ref>}}
In 1966/67, the newly formed [[Phu Cat Air Base Security Forces|1041st Security Police Squadron]] was authorized to wear a dark–blue beret with a unique organizational beret flash.<ref name="SafeSide Program"/><ref name="beret">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094744/https://www.safesideassociation.org/blue_beret.html "History of the Security Police Beret"], by Safeside Association, last accessed 5 July 2018</ref><ref name="USAF SP Vietnam">[http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28664-usaf-security-police-squadrons-in-vietnam/ "USAF Security Police Squadrons in Vietnam"], usmilitariaforum.com, posted 22 March 2009, last accessed 14 July 2017</ref> The 1041st's beret flash has a depiction of a white [[falcon]] carrying a pair of lightning bolts on a somewhat pointed oval-shaped light–blue cloth shield that was worn over the left temple.<ref name="SafeSide Program"/><ref name="beret"/><ref name="USAF SP Vietnam"/>
In 1966/67, the newly formed [[Phu Cat Air Base Security Forces|1041st Security Police Squadron]] was authorized to wear a dark–blue beret with a unique organizational beret flash.<ref name="SafeSide Program"/><ref name="beret">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094744/https://www.safesideassociation.org/blue_beret.html "History of the Security Police Beret"], by Safeside Association, last accessed 5 July 2018</ref><ref name="USAF SP Vietnam">[http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28664-usaf-security-police-squadrons-in-vietnam/ "USAF Security Police Squadrons in Vietnam"], usmilitariaforum.com, posted 22 March 2009, last accessed 14 July 2017</ref> The 1041st's beret flash has a depiction of a white [[falcon]] carrying a pair of lightning bolts on a somewhat heart-shaped light–blue cloth shield that was worn over the left temple.<ref name="SafeSide Program"/><ref name="beret"/><ref name="USAF SP Vietnam"/>


{{multiple image
{{multiple image
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|image2 = US Air Force Security Forces airman wearing newly authorized beret flash-1998.jpg
|image2 = US Air Force Security Forces airman wearing newly authorized beret flash-1998.jpg
|footer = A security forces airman with the 55th Security Forces Squadron wearing navy–blue beret with Security Forces Beret Flash (1998)<ref name="SF Flash 1998">[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6610071 AIRMAN Will Neville, of the 55th Security Force Squadron, waves incoming traffic onto Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Neville and other 55th security forces personnel are participating in a US Strategic Command exercise, GLOBAL GUARDIAN '99], U.S. Navy's Naval Imaging Command, by [[Photographers Mate|PH]][[Petty officer second class|2]] Leland B. Comer (US Navy), dated 26 October 1998, last accessed 27 May 2024</ref>}}
|footer = A security forces airman with the 55th Security Forces Squadron wearing navy–blue beret with Security Forces Beret Flash (1998)<ref name="SF Flash 1998">[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6610071 AIRMAN Will Neville, of the 55th Security Force Squadron, waves incoming traffic onto Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Neville and other 55th security forces personnel are participating in a US Strategic Command exercise, GLOBAL GUARDIAN '99], U.S. Navy's Naval Imaging Command, by [[Photographers Mate|PH]][[Petty officer second class|2]] Leland B. Comer (US Navy), dated 26 October 1998, last accessed 27 May 2024</ref>}}
In 1997, the Air Force stood up the security forces AFSC, combining Air Force police and security forces into one carrier field, and honored the heraldry of the 1041st Security Police Squadron by creating a new organizational beret flash for all security forces airman and NCOs for wear on their dark-blue beret.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="beret"/> The new Security Forces Beret Flash depicts the 1041st's falcon over an airfield on a dark–blue shield–shaped patch bordered in gold with a white scroll at its base embroidered with the motto "Defensor Fortis" (defenders of the force) in dark–blue title case.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="beret"/> Security forces officers wear the same basic beret flash minus the embroidered falcon and airfield and in its place they affix their polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/>}}
In 1997, the Air Force stood up the security forces AFSC, combining Air Force police and security forces into one carrier field, and honored the heraldry of the 1041st Security Police Squadron by creating a new organizational beret flash for all security forces airman and NCOs for wear on their dark-blue beret.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="beret"/> The new Security Forces Beret Flash depicts the 1041st's falcon over an airfield on a dark–blue shield–shaped patch bordered in gold with a white scroll at its base embroidered with the motto "Defensor Fortis" (defenders of the force) in dark–blue title case.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="beret"/> Security forces officers wear the same basic beret flash minus the embroidered falcon and airfield and in its place they affix their polished metal rank insignia.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/>


====TACP====
====TACP====
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|image2 = USAF Air Mobility Liaison Officer wearing black beret with unique beret flash.jpg
|image2 = USAF Air Mobility Liaison Officer wearing black beret with unique beret flash.jpg
|caption2 = An Air Mobility Liaison Officer with the [[8th Air Support Operations Squadron]] wearing black beret with Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash and polished metal captain rank insignia affixed (2011)<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret">[https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyeurope_images/6205399942 "U.S. Army Europe, Clearing the DZ"], US Army Europe Flickr page, dated 29 September 2011, last accessed 7 May 2020</ref>}}
|caption2 = An Air Mobility Liaison Officer with the [[8th Air Support Operations Squadron]] wearing black beret with Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash and polished metal captain rank insignia affixed (2011)<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret">[https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyeurope_images/6205399942 "U.S. Army Europe, Clearing the DZ"], US Army Europe Flickr page, dated 29 September 2011, last accessed 7 May 2020</ref>}}
In 1979, TACP airman and NCOs were given authorization to wear the black beret. In 1984, two TACP's submitted a design for a unique beret flash and [[:File:Tacp-crest.png|crest]] for wear on their berets which the Air Force approved one year later.<ref name="Beret History"/> The TACP Beret Flash consists of a [[Scarlet (color)|scarlet]] border that represent the firepower TACP's bring to bear with two [[Dovetail joint|dovetailed]] fields of blue and green representing the close working relationship between the Air Force and the Army that is enabled by the TACP.<ref name="TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX-uvMzxQSE "TACP – Flash and Crest Heraldry"], unknown author but suspected to be US Air Force, hosted on ClearedHotProduction YouTube Channel, posted 20 March 2012, last accessed 31 May 2020</ref> TACP officers also wear the TACP Beret Flash and Crest but with miniature polished metal rank insignia below the crest and just above the inner–border of the beret flash.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="TACP Officer Selection">[https://www.airforce.com/enwiki/api/document/download/1457 "TACP Officer Assessment and Selection, Application Process"], airforce.com, dated FY2020, last accessed 7 March 2020</ref><ref name="TACP Officer">[https://www.facebook.com/garandthumb1/photos/a.841686645853932/2513113788711201/?type=3&theater ""Garand Thumb," a US Air Force TACP Officer and YouTuber, photographed in his service dress uniform"], Facebook, public access photo (unrestricted), dated 27 September 2019, last accessed 5 March 2022</ref>
In 1979, TACP airman and NCOs were given authorization to wear the black beret. In 1984, two TACP's submitted a design for a unique beret flash and [[:File:Tacp-crest.png|crest]] for wear on their berets which the Air Force approved one year later.<ref name="Beret History"/> The TACP Beret Flash consists of a [[Scarlet (color)|scarlet]] border that represent the firepower TACP's bring to bear with two [[Dovetail joint|dovetailed]] fields of blue and green representing the close working relationship between the Air Force and the Army that is enabled by the TACP.<ref name="TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX-uvMzxQSE "TACP – Flash and Crest Heraldry"], unknown author but suspected to be US Air Force, hosted on ClearedHotProduction YouTube Channel, posted 20 March 2012, last accessed 31 May 2020</ref> TACP officers also wear the TACP Beret Flash and Crest but with miniature polished metal rank insignia below the crest.<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="TACP Officer Selection">[https://www.airforce.com/enwiki/api/document/download/1457 "TACP Officer Assessment and Selection, Application Process"], airforce.com, dated FY2020, last accessed 7 March 2020</ref><ref name="TACP Officer">[https://www.facebook.com/garandthumb1/photos/a.841686645853932/2513113788711201/?type=3&theater ""Garand Thumb," a US Air Force TACP Officer and YouTuber, photographed in his service dress uniform"], Facebook, public access photo (unrestricted), dated 27 September 2019, last accessed 5 March 2022</ref>


[[Air liaison officer]]s assigned to an [[List of United States Air Force air support operations squadrons|air support operations squadron]] or group can also be given authorization to wear the black beret and TACP Beret Flash with full-size polished metal officer rank insignia (no crest).<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="Beret History"/><ref name="274th ASOS Change of Command">[https://www.174attackwing.ang.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000249860/ "274th ASOS {{sic|Change-of-Co|mand|nolink=y}} and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies"], 174attackwing.ang.af.mil, by SSgt James N. Faso, dated 4 June 2011, last accessed 8 March 2020</ref><ref name="ALO">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180713100539/http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3_5/publication/cfetp13lxx/cfetp13lxx.pdf "AFSC 13LX Air Liaison Officer, Career Field Education and Training Plan"], Department of the Air Force, dated 21 May 2013, last accessed 5 March 2020</ref>
[[Air liaison officer]]s assigned to an [[List of United States Air Force air support operations squadrons|air support operations squadron]] or group can also be given authorization to wear the black beret and TACP Beret Flash with full-size polished metal officer rank insignia (no crest).<ref name="AFI36-2903"/><ref name="Beret History"/><ref name="274th ASOS Change of Command">[https://www.174attackwing.ang.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000249860/ "274th ASOS {{sic|Change-of-Co|mand|nolink=y}} and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies"], 174attackwing.ang.af.mil, by SSgt James N. Faso, dated 4 June 2011, last accessed 8 March 2020</ref><ref name="ALO">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180713100539/http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3_5/publication/cfetp13lxx/cfetp13lxx.pdf "AFSC 13LX Air Liaison Officer, Career Field Education and Training Plan"], Department of the Air Force, dated 21 May 2013, last accessed 5 March 2020</ref>


Some Air Mobility Liaison Officers also wore the black beret.<ref name="Beret History"/> Although worn informally before then, in 2015 The Institute of Heraldry authorized a slight modification of the TACP Beret Flash for wear by Air Mobility Liaison Officers, incorporating an embroidered [[compass rose]] in the upper–left corner of the flash.<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret"/><ref name="ALMO flash">[https://www.eaglesofwar.com/Images/1%20Shoulder%20Sleeve%20Insignia/Beret%20Flashes%20and%20Background%20Trimmings/A-4-299%20AIR%20MOBILITY%20LIAISON%20OFFICER.pdf "USAF, Air Mobility Liaison Officer, A-4-299"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry (via the Eagles of War website), dated 20 January 2015, last accessed 6 September 2021</ref> The Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash was worn in the same manner as Air Liaison Officers wear the TACP Beret Flash.<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret"/><ref name="ALO Article">[https://www.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/142694/more-than-a-pilot-providing-air-support-from-the-ground/ "More than a pilot: providing air support from the ground"], US Air Force, by A1C Daniel Phelps ([[20th Fighter Wing]] Public Affairs), dated 23 June 2011, last accessed 20 May 2020</ref>
Some Air Mobility Liaison Officers also wore the black beret.<ref name="Beret History"/> Although worn informally, in 2015 The Institute of Heraldry authorized a slight modification of the TACP Beret Flash for wear by Air Mobility Liaison Officers, incorporating an embroidered [[compass rose]] in the upper–left corner of the flash.<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret"/><ref name="ALMO flash">[https://www.eaglesofwar.com/Images/1%20Shoulder%20Sleeve%20Insignia/Beret%20Flashes%20and%20Background%20Trimmings/A-4-299%20AIR%20MOBILITY%20LIAISON%20OFFICER.pdf "USAF, Air Mobility Liaison Officer, A-4-299"], Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry (via the Eagles of War website), dated 20 January 2015, last accessed 6 September 2021</ref> The Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash was worn in the same manner as Air Liaison Officers wear the TACP Beret Flash.<ref name="AMLO Wearing Beret"/><ref name="ALO Article">[https://www.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/142694/more-than-a-pilot-providing-air-support-from-the-ground/ "More than a pilot: providing air support from the ground"], US Air Force, by A1C Daniel Phelps ([[20th Fighter Wing]] Public Affairs), dated 23 June 2011, last accessed 20 May 2020</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


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|image2 = US Air Force Combat Aviation Advisors wearing brown beret.jpg
|image2 = US Air Force Combat Aviation Advisors wearing brown beret.jpg
|footer = An NCO (left) and an officer (right) with a combat aviation advisor squadron are wearing brown berets with Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash with the officer affixing his metal major rank insignia (2018)<ref name="USAF Advisors">[http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/article/1410562/quiet-professionals-don-brown-beret/ "Quiet Professionals don brown beret"], US Air Force Special Operations Command, by Capt Monique Roux, dated 8 January 2018, last accessed 6 November 2022</ref>}}
|footer = An NCO (left) and an officer (right) with a combat aviation advisor squadron are wearing brown berets with Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash with the officer affixing his metal major rank insignia (2018)<ref name="USAF Advisors">[http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/article/1410562/quiet-professionals-don-brown-beret/ "Quiet Professionals don brown beret"], US Air Force Special Operations Command, by Capt Monique Roux, dated 8 January 2018, last accessed 6 November 2022</ref>}}
From 2018–2022, AFSOC authorized the wear of the brown beret for airman, NCOs, and officers assigned to what was known as combat aviation advisor squadrons, such as the [[6th Special Operations Squadron|6th]] and [[711th Special Operations Squadron]]s.<ref name="USAF Advisors"/><ref name="Inactivation">[https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-brown-beret-6th-special-operations-inactivation/ "The end of the brown beret: Air Force special ops squadron shuts down after 28 years advising allied aviators"], Task and Purpose, by David Roza, dated 10 October 2022, last accessed 10 October 2022</ref> The brown beret—similar to the Army's brown beret—was worn with an Army style organizational beret flash consisting of a blue field with olive–green diagonal stripes and border.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="USAF Advisors"/> The Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash was worn centered over the left eye with polished metal officer rank insignia, chaplain branch insignia, or an AFSC metallic beret crest affixed to the beret flash while all other advisors wore it without accoutrements.<ref name="USAF Advisors"/><ref name="SERE CAA">[https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4070885/quiet-professionals-don-brown-beret "Quiet Professionals don brown beret &#91;Image 29 of 31&#93;"], Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by [[Senior airman|SrA]] Joseph Pick (1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs), dated 6 January 2018, last accessed 6 November 2022</ref>
From 2018–2022, AFSOC authorized the wear of the brown beret for airman, NCOs, and officers assigned to combat aviation advisor squadrons, such as the [[6th Special Operations Squadron|6th]] and [[711th Special Operations Squadron]]s.<ref name="USAF Advisors"/><ref name="Inactivation">[https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-brown-beret-6th-special-operations-inactivation/ "The end of the brown beret: Air Force special ops squadron shuts down after 28 years advising allied aviators"], Task and Purpose, by David Roza, dated 10 October 2022, last accessed 10 October 2022</ref> The brown beret—similar to the Army's brown beret—was worn with an Army style organizational beret flash consisting of a blue field with olive–green diagonal stripes and border.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="USAF Advisors"/> The Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash was worn centered over the left eye with polished metal officer rank insignia, chaplain branch insignia, or an AFSC metallic beret crest affixed to the beret flash while all other advisors wore it without accoutrements.<ref name="USAF Advisors"/><ref name="SERE CAA">[https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4070885/quiet-professionals-don-brown-beret "Quiet Professionals don brown beret &#91;Image 29 of 31&#93;"], Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by [[Senior airman|SrA]] Joseph Pick (1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs), dated 6 January 2018, last accessed 6 November 2022</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


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==Beret flashes of the US military (1973–present)==
==Beret flashes of the US military (1973–present)==
{{Notice|heading=Notes to readers:|
{{Notice|heading=Notes to readers:|
* With the proliferation of military berets from the Army's 1973 moral enhancing order, this section focuses on beret flashes from that point forward.
* With the proliferation of military berets from the Army's 1973 morale–enhancing order,<ref name="Army Beret"/><ref name="Beret History"/> this section focuses on beret flashes from that point forward.
* If more than one organizational beret flash existed for a unit, only those flashes with large design changes or are historically noteworthy are depicted.
* If more than one organizational beret flash existed for a unit, only those flashes with large design changes or are historically noteworthy are depicted.
* Current beret flashes were identified through current uniform regulations, recent military articles, and/or official postings on [[social media]].
* Current beret flashes were identified through current uniform regulations, recent military articles, and/or official postings on [[social media]].
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:'''Obsolete'''
:'''Obsolete'''
<gallery widths="145px">
<gallery widths="145px">
File:Former US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg|{{center|–[[Arkansas Army National Guard]], [[39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team|39th Infantry Brigade]], [[151st Cavalry Regiment]], Troop E<br>–[[Puerto Rico Army National Guard]], [[92nd Military Police Brigade|92nd Infantry Brigade]], 192nd Cavalry Regiment, Troop E<br>–[[Tennessee Army National Guard]], [[278th Armored Cavalry Regiment]]<br>–[[United States Army Armor School|US Army Armor School]], [[194th Armored Brigade (United States)|194th Armored Brigade]], [[10th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|10th Cavalry Regiment]], Troop D ([[Long-range surveillance|Long-Range Surveillance]])<br>–[[Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps|US Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps]], [[Temple University]]<br>–[[III Corps (United States)|III Corps]], [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)|3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment]]<br>–III Corps, [[6th Cavalry Brigade (United States)|6th Cavalry Brigade]], [[Pathfinder (military)|Pathfinder]] Section<br>–82nd Airborne Division, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Squadron ''(original version)''<br>{{box|''Note: This is the most prolific organizational beret flash in the Army.''<ref name="Beret Book"/>}}}}
File:Former US Army 1st Squadron-17 Cavalry Regiment Flash.svg|{{center|–[[Arkansas Army National Guard]], [[39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team|39th Infantry Brigade]], [[151st Cavalry Regiment]], Troop E<br>–[[Puerto Rico Army National Guard]], [[92nd Military Police Brigade|92nd Infantry Brigade]], 192nd Cavalry Regiment, Troop E<br>–[[Tennessee Army National Guard]], [[278th Armored Cavalry Regiment]]<br>–[[United States Army Armor School|US Army Armor School]], [[194th Armored Brigade (United States)|194th Armored Brigade]], [[10th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|10th Cavalry Regiment]], Troop D ([[Long-range surveillance|Long-Range Surveillance]])<br>–[[Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps|US Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps]], [[Temple University]]<br>–[[III Corps (United States)|III Corps]], [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)|3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment]]<br>–III Corps, [[6th Cavalry Brigade (United States)|6th Cavalry Brigade]], [[Pathfinder (military)|Pathfinder]] Section<br>–82nd Airborne Division, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Squadron ''(original version)''<br>{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|This is the most prolific organizational beret flash in the Army.}}}}}}
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Regiment-Troop E Beret Flash.svg|{{center|–US Army Alaska, 172nd Infantry Brigade, [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Cavalry Regiment]], Troop E<br>–1st Cavalry Division}}
File:Former US Army 1st Cavalry Regiment-Troop E Beret Flash.svg|{{center|–US Army Alaska, 172nd Infantry Brigade, [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Cavalry Regiment]], Troop E<br>–1st Cavalry Division}}
File:Former US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Recon Platoon Beret Flash.svg|{{center|–US Army Europe, [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)|2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment]] (West Germany) ''(original version)''<br>–US Army Europe, [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]], [[Reconnaissance]] [[Platoon]] (West Germany)}}
File:Former US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Recon Platoon Beret Flash.svg|{{center|–US Army Europe, [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)|2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment]] (West Germany) ''(original version)''<br>–US Army Europe, [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]], [[Reconnaissance]] [[Platoon]] (West Germany)}}
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File:US Army 618th Engineer Co Beret Flash.svg|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 27th Engineer Battalion, 618th Engineer Company}}
File:US Army 618th Engineer Co Beret Flash.svg|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 27th Engineer Battalion, 618th Engineer Company}}
File:US Army 127th Bde Engineer BN Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 127th Brigade Engineer Battalion}}
File:US Army 127th Bde Engineer BN Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 127th Brigade Engineer Battalion}}
File:US Army 37th Eng BN Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, [[37th Engineer Battalion (United States)|37th Brigade Engineer Battalion]]}}
File:US Army 307th Bde Eng BN Flash.svg|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion}}
File:US Army 307th Bde Eng BN Flash.svg|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion}}
</gallery>
</gallery>
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File:US Army 919th Engineer Co Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 919th Engineer Company}}
File:US Army 919th Engineer Co Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 919th Engineer Company}}
File:US Army 30th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 30th Engineer Battalion}}
File:US Army 30th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne Corps, 20th Engineer Brigade, 30th Engineer Battalion}}
File:Former US Army 127th Brigade Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 127th Engineer Battalion ''(original version)''}}
File:Former US Army 127th Brigade Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 127th Engineer Battalion ''(original version)''}}
File:US Army 37th Eng BN Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, [[37th Engineer Battalion (United States)|37th Brigade Engineer Battalion]]}}
File:Former US Army 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg|{{center|101st Airborne Division, [[326th Engineer Battalion (United States)|326th Engineer Battalion]]}}
File:Former US Army 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash.svg|{{center|101st Airborne Division, [[326th Engineer Battalion (United States)|326th Engineer Battalion]]}}
</gallery>
</gallery>
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File:Image5436.gif|{{center|USASOC, [[3rd Ranger Battalion|75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd Battalion]]}}
File:Image5436.gif|{{center|USASOC, [[3rd Ranger Battalion|75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd Battalion]]}}
File:US Army 11th Airborne Division Beret Flash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division}}
File:US Army 11th Airborne Division Beret Flash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division}}
File:US Army 1st Brigade Combat Team-11th Airborne Division-Beret Fash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Although authorized, this is a non–airborne unit, thus it is not worn.<ref name="TIOH FAQ"/><ref name="1/11th ABN Official">[https://11thairbornedivision.army.mil/Units/1st-Infantry-Brigade/ 1st Infantry Brigade, 11th Airborne Division], official website, last accessed 5 November 2023</ref><ref name="1/11th ABN Facebook">[https://www.facebook.com/1IBCT11ABN/ 1/11 IBCT "Arctic Wolves"], official Facebook page, last accessed 5 November 2023</ref>}}}}
File:US Army 1st Brigade Combat Team-11th Airborne Division-Beret Fash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|Although authorized, this is a non-airborne unit, thus it is not worn.}}}}}}
File:US Army 2nd Brigade Combat Team-11th Airborne Division Beret Fash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team}}
File:US Army 2nd Brigade Combat Team-11th Airborne Division Beret Fash.png|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team}}
File:US Army 1st Bn-501st Inf Reg Flash.svg|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, [[501st Infantry Regiment (United States)|501st Infantry Regiment]], 1st Battalion<br>—formerly<br>–25th Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 501st Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion<br>–101st Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade, 501st Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion}}
File:US Army 1st Bn-501st Inf Reg Flash.svg|{{center|11th Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, [[501st Infantry Regiment (United States)|501st Infantry Regiment]], 1st Battalion<br>—formerly<br>–25th Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 501st Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion<br>–101st Airborne Division, 2nd Brigade, 501st Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion}}
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File:US Army 5th QM Co Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[21st Theater Sustainment Command]], [[16th Sustainment Brigade]], 16th Special Troops Battalion, 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company}}
File:US Army 5th QM Co Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[21st Theater Sustainment Command]], [[16th Sustainment Brigade]], 16th Special Troops Battalion, 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company}}
File:US Army 294th Quartermaster Company Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company}}
File:US Army 294th Quartermaster Company Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company}}
File:US Army 36th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company, 36th Quartermaster Detachment{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Suspected subordination}}}}
File:US Army 36th Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company, 36th Quartermaster Detachment{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|Suspected subordination}}}}}}
File:US Army 71st Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company, 71st Quartermaster Detachment{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Suspected subordination}}}}
File:US Army 71st Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|36th Infantry Division, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 372nd CSSB, 294th Quartermaster Company, 71st Quartermaster Detachment{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|Suspected subordination}}}}}}
File:US Army 11th Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, 189th CSSB, 11th Quartermaster Company}}
File:US Army 11th Quartermaster Company Beret Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, 189th CSSB, 11th Quartermaster Company}}
File:US Army 333rd Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|[[143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)|143rd Sustainment Command]], 333rd Quartermaster Detachment}}
File:US Army 333rd Quartermaster Detachment Beret Flash.png|{{center|[[143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)|143rd Sustainment Command]], 333rd Quartermaster Detachment}}
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====Medical====
====Medical====
{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Beret flashes in this section maybe obsolete.}}
{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|Beret flashes in this section may be obsolete.}}}}
<gallery widths="145px">
<gallery widths="145px">
File:US Army 67th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.svg|{{center|USAREUR–AF, 30th Medical Brigade, 212th [[Combat support hospital|Combat Support Hospital]], 67th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment (FRSD)}}
File:US Army 67th Forward Surgical Team Beret Flash.svg|{{center|USAREUR–AF, 30th Medical Brigade, 212th [[Combat support hospital|Combat Support Hospital]], 67th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment (FRSD)}}
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File:US Army 262nd Quartermaster Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|US Army [[Quartermaster Center and School]], 23rd Quartermaster Brigade, 262nd Quartermaster Battalion}}
File:US Army 262nd Quartermaster Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|US Army [[Quartermaster Center and School]], 23rd Quartermaster Brigade, 262nd Quartermaster Battalion}}
File:US Army Airborne-Airlift Action Office Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[United States Army Training and Doctrine Command|US Army Training and Doctrine Command]], Airborne/Airlift Action Office}}
File:US Army Airborne-Airlift Action Office Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[United States Army Training and Doctrine Command|US Army Training and Doctrine Command]], Airborne/Airlift Action Office}}
File:US DoD-Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation-Training Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|[[Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation]], Training Battalion{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Maybe obsolete}}}}
File:US DoD-Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation-Training Battalion Beret Flash.png|{{center|[[Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation]], Training Battalion{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|May be obsolete}}}}}}
File:US Army 18th Airborne Corps NCO Academy Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne [[Corps]], NCO Academy}}
File:US Army 18th Airborne Corps NCO Academy Flash.png|{{center|XVIII Airborne [[Corps]], NCO Academy}}
File:US Army Advanced Airborne School Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, [[United States Army Jumpmaster School|Advanced Airborne School]]}}
File:US Army Advanced Airborne School Flash.png|{{center|82nd Airborne Division, [[United States Army Jumpmaster School|Advanced Airborne School]]}}
Line 1,052: Line 1,052:
{{Stack|[[File:Zalman Lipskier.jpg|thumb|195px|A [[Georgia State Defense Force]] chaplain wearing an [[Army Combat Uniform|Army combat uniform]] with State Defense Force Beret Flash and Chaplain ([[Judaism]]) Branch Insignia (2011)]]}}
{{Stack|[[File:Zalman Lipskier.jpg|thumb|195px|A [[Georgia State Defense Force]] chaplain wearing an [[Army Combat Uniform|Army combat uniform]] with State Defense Force Beret Flash and Chaplain ([[Judaism]]) Branch Insignia (2011)]]}}


The US [[state defense force]]s—also known as state guard, state military reserve, or state militia—in many [[List of states and territories of the United States|US states and territories]] wear modified versions of [[Uniforms of the United States Army|Army uniforms]].<ref name="AR670-1"/><ref name="DoD IG Evaluation">[https://media.defense.gov/2014/Apr/30/2001713359/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2014-065.pdf "Evaluation of Department of Defense Interaction with State Defense Forces, Report No. DODIG-2014-065"], [[Department of Defense Office of Inspector General]], dated 30 April 2014, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref><ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017">[http://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SGAUS_newsletter_Spring_2017_5-12-1711.pdf "SDF Times, Spring 2017"], [[State Guard Association of the United States]], dated 2017, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref> To help separate state guard units from Army units, such as the [[Army National Guard]], they will often wear unique name tape, badges, shoulder sleeve insignia, and/or headgear.<ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/> If the militia unit chooses to wear the Army black beret, a unique organizational beret flash is worn to help further distinguish them from Army units.<ref name="AR670-1"/><ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/><ref name="California SG R670-1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100211213320/http://www.calguard.ca.gov/casmr/Documents/Regulations/CSMR670-1_2008-04.pdf "Wear and Appearance of California State Military Reserve Uniforms and Insignia, California State Military Reserve Regulation 670-1 and Instruction 36-2903"], California State Military Reserve, dated 1 April 2008, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref><ref name="Georgia R670-1">[https://www.pdffiller.com/5493594-fillable-gasdf-670-1-form "Wear and Appearance of Uniforms and Insignia, Georgia State Defense Force Regulation 670-1"], [[Georgia State Defense Force]], dated 15 November 2009, last accessed 16 March 2023 (alternate source if required:[https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3335715/gsdf-reg-670-1-update-15-nov-09-georgia-state-defense-force])</ref><ref name="Ohio SG R670-1">[https://www.pdffiller.com/55325650-r670-1pdf-OHMR-Regulation-670-1-Hollar-2-Ohio-Military-Reserve-State-of-ohmr-ohio "Wear and Appearance of Uniforms and Insignia, Ohio Military Reserve Regulation 670-1"], [[Ohio Military Reserve]], dated 1 May 2012, last accessed 16 March 2023</ref><ref name="New York SG D1334.1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20220707010626/http://dmna.ny.gov/nyg/directives/nyg_1334-1.pdf "Authorized Headgear-NYGD1334.1"], New York Guard, dated 1 March 2015, last accessed 16 March 2023</ref><ref name="Virginia SG R670-1">[https://vdf.virginia.gov/pdf/Regulations/VDFR600-10/VDFR_600-10_APDX_Q_UNIFORMS_WEAR_APPEARANCE_AUG22.pdf "VDFR 600-10 Appendix Q, Uniforms and Insignia Wear and Appearance in the VDF"], [[Virginia Defense Force]], dated August 2022, last accessed 29 March 2023</ref> These state military reserve organizational beret flashes are worn in the same manner as today's Army beret flashes.<ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/><ref name="California SG R670-1"/><ref name="Georgia R670-1"/><ref name="Ohio SG R670-1"/><ref name="New York SG D1334.1"/><ref name="Virginia SG R670-1"/> The following is a list of some organizational beret flashes worn by various state and territory militias:
The US [[state defense force]]s—also known as state guard, state military reserve, or state militia—in many [[List of states and territories of the United States|US states and territories]] wear modified versions of [[Uniforms of the United States Army|US Army uniforms]].<ref name="AR670-1"/><ref name="DoD IG Evaluation">[https://media.defense.gov/2014/Apr/30/2001713359/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2014-065.pdf "Evaluation of Department of Defense Interaction with State Defense Forces, Report No. DODIG-2014-065"], [[Department of Defense Office of Inspector General]], dated 30 April 2014, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref><ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017">[http://sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SGAUS_newsletter_Spring_2017_5-12-1711.pdf "SDF Times, Spring 2017"], [[State Guard Association of the United States]], dated 2017, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref> To help separate state guard units from Army units, such as the [[Army National Guard]], they will often wear unique name tape, badges, shoulder sleeve insignia, and/or headgear.<ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/> If the militia unit chooses to wear the Army black beret, a unique organizational beret flash is worn to help further distinguish them from Army units.<ref name="AR670-1"/><ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/><ref name="California SG R670-1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100211213320/http://www.calguard.ca.gov/casmr/Documents/Regulations/CSMR670-1_2008-04.pdf "Wear and Appearance of California State Military Reserve Uniforms and Insignia, California State Military Reserve Regulation 670-1 and Instruction 36-2903"], California State Military Reserve, dated 1 April 2008, last accessed 30 October 2022</ref><ref name="Georgia R670-1">[https://www.pdffiller.com/5493594-fillable-gasdf-670-1-form "Wear and Appearance of Uniforms and Insignia, Georgia State Defense Force Regulation 670-1"], [[Georgia State Defense Force]], dated 15 November 2009, last accessed 16 March 2023 (alternate source if required:[https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3335715/gsdf-reg-670-1-update-15-nov-09-georgia-state-defense-force])</ref><ref name="Ohio SG R670-1">[https://www.pdffiller.com/55325650-r670-1pdf-OHMR-Regulation-670-1-Hollar-2-Ohio-Military-Reserve-State-of-ohmr-ohio "Wear and Appearance of Uniforms and Insignia, Ohio Military Reserve Regulation 670-1"], [[Ohio Military Reserve]], dated 1 May 2012, last accessed 16 March 2023</ref><ref name="New York SG D1334.1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20220707010626/http://dmna.ny.gov/nyg/directives/nyg_1334-1.pdf "Authorized Headgear-NYGD1334.1"], New York Guard, dated 1 March 2015, last accessed 16 March 2023</ref><ref name="Virginia SG R670-1">[https://vdf.virginia.gov/pdf/Regulations/VDFR600-10/VDFR_600-10_APDX_Q_UNIFORMS_WEAR_APPEARANCE_AUG22.pdf "VDFR 600-10 Appendix Q, Uniforms and Insignia Wear and Appearance in the VDF"], [[Virginia Defense Force]], dated August 2022, last accessed 29 March 2023</ref> These state military reserve organizational beret flashes are worn in the same manner as today's Army beret flashes.<ref name="SGAUS Newsletter 2017"/><ref name="California SG R670-1"/><ref name="Georgia R670-1"/><ref name="Ohio SG R670-1"/><ref name="New York SG D1334.1"/><ref name="Virginia SG R670-1"/> The following is a list of some organizational beret flashes worn by various state and territory militias:
<gallery widths="145px">
<gallery widths="145px">
File:SDF Flash.GIF|{{center|State Defense Force ''(worn by various state guard units)''}}
File:SDF Flash.GIF|{{center|State Defense Force ''(worn by various state guard units)''}}
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:'''Obsolete'''
:'''Obsolete'''
{{Warning|image=Question book-new.svg|Beret flashes in this section are difficult to verify.}}
{{Box|background=Ivory|{{A note|Beret flashes in this section are difficult to verify.}}}}
<gallery widths="145px">
<gallery widths="145px">
File:Former DC Defense Force Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]] Defense Force}}
File:Former DC Defense Force Beret Flash.svg|{{center|[[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]] Defense Force}}

Latest revision as of 23:43, 19 November 2024

Wear of the beret flash in the US military
Army NCOs wearing rifle–green berets with organizational beret flashes from (right to left) 1st, 5th, 7th, and 10th Special Forces Groups bearing the 1st Special Forces Regiment DUI
An Army warrant officer wearing maroon beret with 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Beret Flash bearing polished metal Chief Warrant Officer Two rank insignia
An Army officer wearing tan beret with 75th Ranger Regiment Beret Flash bearing polished metal lieutenant colonel rank insignia
An Army officer wearing black beret with Department of the Army Beret Flash bearing polished medal Chaplain (Christianity) Branch Insignia
An Air Force officer wearing navy-blue beret with Security Forces Officer Beret Flash bearing polished medal second lieutenant rank insignia
An Air Force officer wearing black beret with TACP Beret Flash and Crest bearing miniature polished metal captain rank insignia
An Air Force airman wearing gray beret with Combat Weather Team Beret Flash and Crest
An Air Force officer and Army NCO wearing maroon berets with Joint Communications Support Element Beret Flash, the officer affixing his polished metal colonel rank insignia and the NCO her unit's DUI

In the United States (US) military, a beret flash is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically 2.25 in (5.72 cm) tall and 1.875 in (4.76 cm) wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a military beret.[1][2][3] These flashes—a British English word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance.[1][2][4]

Army soldiers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) affix their distinctive unit insignia (DUI), regimental distinctive insignia (when no DUI is authorized), Sergeant Major of the Army collar insignia (when assigned), or Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff collar insignia (when assigned) to the center of their beret flash.[1][5] Army warrant officers and commissioned officers affix their polished metal rank insignia to the center of their beret flash while general officer's may choose to affix regular or miniature polished metal rank insignia.[1] To better distinguish them from other Army personnel, Army chaplains affix their polished metal branch insignia to the center of their beret flash.[1] Air Force commissioned officers who are in the security forces or are weather parachutists wear their beret flash in the same manner as the Army while tactical air control party (TACP) officers attach a miniature version of their polished metal rank insignia below the TACP Crest on the TACP Beret Flash.[4][6] Other Air Force airmen and NCOs assigned to an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) authorized to wear a military beret with a beret flash will affix either their beret flash or beret flash with crest, depending on the AFSC.[4] Joint beret flashes—such as those worn by the Joint Communications Support Element—are worn by all who are assigned, given their uniform regulations allow, and will wear them in the manner prescribed by the joint unit.[7]

The design of all US Department of Defense (DoD) beret flashes are created and/or approved by The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army.[8] When a requesting organization is entitled to have its own beret flash, the institute will conduct research into the requesting organization's heraldry, as well as design suggestions from the requesting organization, in the creation of a unit or specialty beret flash.[9][10] Leveraging geometrical divisions, shapes, and colors a heraldic artist will create a design that will represent the history and mission of the requesting organization.[9][10] Once the organization agrees upon a design, the institute will authorize the creation of the new beret flash and will establish manufacturing instructions for the companies authorized to produce heraldic materials for the DoD.[9][10][11][12] The institute will also monitor the production of the new beret flash to ensure quality and accuracy of the design is maintained.[9][10][11]

History of the beret flash in the DoD

[edit]

US Army

[edit]

1940s

[edit]
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion's WWII beret flash

Throughout its history, Army units have adopted different headgear and headgear devices—such as various colored cords, colored stripes, and insignias—to identify specific units, the unique mission of a unit, and/or the unique role of a soldier.[3][13][14][15] According to some historians, the first US use of a military beret device was a beret flash created by the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion of World War II (WWII).[2][16][17][18] The 509th trained with the British 1st Airborne Division and was made honorary members of the British airborne forces in 1943.[17][18][19] This honor authorized the 509th to wear the British paratrooper's maroon beret.[17][18][19] Some 509th paratroopers had a small hand–embroidered version of their regiment's pocket–patch created for use as their beret flash on their honorary maroon berets.[2][16][17][18][20] The design of the 509th's pocket–patch—and thus the first organizational beret flash of the US Army—depicts a stylized figure of a paratrooper standing at an open aircraft door wearing a reserve parachute with an artistic rendering of the number "509" surrounding the paratrooper's head and the name Geronimo displayed at the base of the door all embroidered in gold on a black shield-shaped cloth with a semi–circular top.[2][16][17][18][20]

1960s

[edit]
Special forces group recognition bar example
11th Special Forces Group Beret Flash
11th Special Forces Group Recognition Bar—note the similarity in design between the group's beret flash and recognition bar
A medical corps paratrooper with the 11th Special Forces Group wearing rifle-green beret with 1st Special Forces Regiment DUI affixed above the 11th Special Forces Group recognition bar (c. 1967)[21]

The official start of the Army's beret flashes began in 1961 with Department of the Army Message 578636 authorizing the establishment of organizational beret flashes for wear on the special forces' rifle–green beret.[2][22] Championed and heavily influenced by Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough (Ret.)—creator of the US Army parachutist badge, airborne background trimming, and established the term "beret flash" in US military lexicon—the message described the beret flash as shield–shaped with a semi–circular base made of felt 2 in (51 mm) tall and 1.625 in (41 mm) wide using solid colors to represent each of the special forces groups of the era.[2][22][23][24] The message also described who was authorized to wear the organizational beret flash stating that only special forces qualified paratroopers would be permitted to wear their special forces unit's organizational beret flash.[22] These organizational beret flashes were to be worn centered over the left eye with either the 1st Special Forces Regiment DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia positioned below their parachutist badge and centered on the beret flash.[3][22] Later, the parachutist badge was removed and non–qualified soldiers assigned to a special forces unit wore a rectangular cloth beret flash, known as a recognition bar, 1.875 in (4.76 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.27 cm) wide color and pattern matched to their group's organizational beret flash.[3][25][26] The recognition bar was worn below their 1st Special Force Regiment DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia on the rifle–green beret.[3][25]

1970s

[edit]

Various beret accoutrements began to appear in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly between 1973 and 1979 when the Department of the Army had its morale–enhancing order in effect and different colored berets began to be worn by numerous units and branches of the Army.[27][28][29][30]

Historical photographs from the 1960s through the 1970s show soldiers assigned to reconnaissance, ranger, and armor units informally wearing black berets with various units affixing a wide variety of custom beret flashes that were worn over the left eye or left temple.[30] In 1975, the Army formally authorized its ranger units to wear the black beret.[31] If earned, some of these ranger units had their rangers affix their Ranger Tab to the top edge of their organizational beret flash along with their regiment or unit DUI, polished metal officer rank insignia, or chaplain branch insignia affixed to its center and worn over the left eye.[30][31][32]

Vietnam Era reconnaissance unit example
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, Recon. Platoon Beret Flash.
An infantryman with 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, Reconnaissance Platoon wearing black beret with platoon beret flash (1970)[30]
Ranger unit example
Ranger Department Beret Flash
An infantry NCO with the US Army Infantry School wearing black beret with Ranger Department Beret Flash bearing 75th Ranger Regiment DUI below his Ranger Tab (c. 1975)[33]

Wearing of the black beret by armor units expanded in the 1970s with some adopting organizational beret flashes.[28][29][30] For example, many US Army armor units stationed in West Germany, such as the 1st Armored Division, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, began wearing black berets in the 1970s with the armored cavalry regiments affixing maroon and white ovals for use as their beret flash.[28][29][30] The oval beret flash was worn vertically on the black beret behind their DUI to the left of their metal rank insignia or chaplain branch insignia and positioned over the left temple.[28][29][30][34] Another example is the Army's "triple capability" experiment with the 1st Cavalry Division that outfitted the division for armor, airmobile, and air cavalry warfare in 1971.[35][36] The division decided that its soldiers should wear different colored berets to represent the capability they brought to the division: black for armor, light–blue for infantry, red for artillery, and kelly–green for support—later settling for black berets across all formations.[30][35] As they became available, 1st Cavalry soldiers would affix a battalion or squadron specific organizational beret flash of various shapes, colors, and materials to their beret.[2][30] Historical photographs show many 1st Cavalry soldiers wearing their berets in the same manner as US armored cavalry soldiers in West Germany.[30][34] The use of black berets extended to training units as well, such as the US Army Training and Doctrine Command and its armor school.[28][29][30] Historical photographs of the era show plastic triangles being worn on black berets of US Army Armor School cadre and were worn in the same manner as beret flashes are today.[30]

Armored Cavalry Regiment example
Armored Cavalry Oval Beret Flash
An artillery NCO with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment wearing black beret with subdued sergeant rank insignia next to the Armored Cavalry Oval bearing his regiment's DUI (c. 1973–1974)[29][30][37][38]
1st Cavalry Division example
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Beret Flash
An infantryman with the 1st Cavalry Division wearing black beret with polished brass specialist four rank insignia next to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Beret Flash bearing the 12th Cavalry Regiment DUI (1976)[39]
US Armor School example
US Army Armor School Instructor Flash (made of plastic)
An armor officer with the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, US Army Armor School wearing black beret with Armor School Instructor Flash bearing polished metal captain rank insignia (1976)[30]

In 1973, Army leaders authorized the wear of the maroon beret by airborne forces.[27][30] Within a year or so, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division began incorporating organizational beret flashes onto their maroon berets pattered after their unit's airborne background trimming.[1][40][30] These organizational beret flashes, representing various units of the 82nd, were worn in the same manner as they are today.[1][40] Similarly, in 1974 Army leaders authorized the 101st Airborne Division to wear the dark–blue beret when it was reorganized into an air assault division at Fort Campbell.[14][28][30][41][42][43] Army articles and historical photographs of 101st soldiers show them wearing organizational beret flashes patterned after their unit's airborne background trimming and were affixed with either their polished metal rank insignia, DUI, or chaplain branch insignia centered on the beret flash and worn over the left eye.[1][14][30][41][43] Between 1976 and 1977, 101st soldiers would affix their Airmobile Badge—renamed Air Assault Badge in 1978—to their berets positioned over their left temple, next to their beret flash.[14][30][43][44] Other Fort Campbell units of the era also wore the dark–blue beret as well as red for headquarters command and light-green for military police, all with traditional organizational beret flashes that were worn in the same manner as they are today.[28][30]

82nd Airborne Division example
1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Airborne Background Trimming
1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Beret Flash
A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division wearing maroon beret with 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Beret Flash bearing his regiment's DUI (1975)[40]note the design similarities between the airborne background trimming and beret flash
101st Airborne Division example
326th Engineer Battalion Airborne Background Trimming
326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash
An engineer officer with the 101st Airborne Division wearing dark–blue beret with 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash bearing polished metal lieutenant colonel rank insignia next to his Airmobile Badge (1977)[30]note the design similarities between the airborne background trimming and beret flash
Arctic–qualified soldier example
1st Battalion, 60th Infantry Beret Flash
An arctic–qualified infantryman with the 172nd Infantry Brigade wearing olive–drab beret with 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment Beret Flash bearing his regiment's DUI (c. 1970s)[30][45]

Also during the 1970s, arctic–qualified soldiers of the 172nd Infantry Brigade wore locally authorized olive–drab berets with organizational beret flashes that were unique to each battalion, company, troop, or battery of the brigade and were worn in the same manner as they are today.[1][29][30][45]

By 1979, the Army put a stop to the use of berets by conventional forces, leaving only special forces and ranger units the authority to wear berets.[28][29][30]

1980s

[edit]

In 1980, the Army reversed part of its decision allowing airborne units to wear maroon berets, ranger units black berets and special forces units rifle–green berets.[28][29][46] The Army's 1981 uniform regulation describes the wear of these berets with the only authorized accoutrements being organizational beret flashes or recognition bars with officer rank insignia, chaplain branch insignia, or DUI affixed.[3][47]

The organizational beret flash did not become the norm across the Army until 1984 when the recognition bar was discontinued after the Special Forces Tab became authorized for wear by special forces qualified paratroopers.[25] Today, all paratroopers assigned to a special forces unit wear their unit's organizational beret flash on either a rifle–green beret, for special forces qualified paratroopers, or a maroon beret, for support paratroopers.[1][48]

Example of modern-day wear of special forces organizational beret flashes
7th Special Forces Group Beret Flash
Two officers, one wearing a maroon beret and the other a rifle-green beret, with 7th Special Forces Group Beret Flash and polished metal major rank insignia affixed; the special forces qualified officer is identified by his rifle-green beret and tab (2017)[1][48]

2000–present

[edit]

In 2000, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Eric Shinseki, decided to make the black beret the standard headgear of the Army.[29] This was codified in regulations in 2001 and was amended in 2011 making the black beret optional headgear with certain uniforms.[1][46][49] Due to this change, the 75th Ranger Regiment was authorized to switch from black to tan berets in 2001, given the black beret was no longer a distinctive uniform item for the regiment.[29][46] General Shinseki also decided that a new Department of the Army Beret Flash be worn on the black beret.[8][29][50] According to The Institute of Heraldry, the Department of the Army Beret Flash is designed to resemble the flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington, that was flown at the siege of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War.[29][51][52] General Washington's flag was an almost square light–blue flag—representing the union of the United States flag—with thirteen white stars—representing the Thirteen Colonies.[29][51][52][53] According to Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1, the Department of the Army Beret Flash is to be worn by all units "unless authorization for another flash was granted before implementing the black beret as a standard Army headgear."[1][9]

Department of the Army Beret Flash
Photograph of General Washington's Sun faded Commander–in–Chief flag (c. 1775-1783)[51]
Department of the Army Beret Flash
A soldier with 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment wearing black beret with Department of the Army Beret Flash and his regiment's DUI affixed during an Army Beret Donning Ceremony at Fort Lewis (c. 2001)[46][54]
Example of the beret flash exception on the Army black beret
55th Signal Company Beret Flash
Signal Corps NCOs wearing maroon and black berets with 55th Signal Company Beret Flash and 114th Signal Battalion DUI—only the 55th's Airborne Combat Camera Documentation Team is authorized to wear the maroon beret but the beret flash was authorized for the company prior to the establishment of the Department of the Army Beret Flash (2012)[1][55]
First organizational beret flash authorized for a non–airborne unit since 1979[1][9][29]
1st SFAB Beret Flash
A soldier with 1st SFAB wearing brown beret with unit beret flash and DUI affixed (2018)[56]

Army units can request an organizational beret flash for their formation from The Institute of Heraldry given it is not for wear on the black beret.[1][9][57] A good example of this is The Institute of Heraldry's 2018 authorization of organizational beret flashes for the Security Force Assistance Command and its brigades (SFABs) for wear on their brown beret.[58][59][60][61][62][63][64]

Example of the Special Forces Beret Flash
Special Forces (generic) Beret Flash
A special forces qualified officer wearing rifle–green beret with a generic (non–unit specific) Special Forces Beret Flash and polished metal general rank insignia affixed (2019)[65]

In the 21st century, unlike the Department of the Army Beret Flash, Army organizational beret flashes signify a specific formation of a specialized unit, such as an active airborne, ranger, special forces, or combat advisor unit.[1][15][27][66] However, there is a unique generic Special Forces Beret Flash worn by special forces qualified paratroopers on their rifle–green beret when assigned to a unit not authorized an organizational beret flash; this is due to the rifle–green beret now representing a paratrooper's special forces qualification—in addition to the Special Forces Tab—rather than a special forces unit as it once did in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.[1][25]

US Air Force

[edit]

Weather Parachutists

[edit]
Vietnam Era Combat Weather Team Beret Flash

In the mid 1960s, Air Force commando weathermen,[67] formally known as weather parachutists, with Detachment 26 of the 30th Weather Squadron and Detachment 32 of the 5th Weather Squadron informally wore black berets.[68] A black cloth rectangle with a yellow embroidered anemometer surmounted by a fleur–de–lis with the words "Combat Weather" split by the anemometer was used as their beret flash.[68]

5th Weather Squadron insignias
The 5th Weather Squadron Emblem (left) and Beret Flash (right)—note the alchemical symbol for water with representative colors green (Earth), blue (air), and red (fire)[68]

From 1970 through the 1980s, weather parachutists with the 5th Weather Squadron wore maroon berets with an Army style beret flash that incorporated the squadron's design and colors from their emblem's alchemical symbol for water and affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash.[9][68]

In 1979, weather parachutists were authorized to wear navy–blue berets with an Army style beret flash consisting of a blue and black field surrounded by yellow piping.[9][68] Enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the flash while officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia.[68] In 1986, the gray beret was authorized for wear by weather parachutists who continued to wear the aforementioned cloth beret flash until a new large color metallic Special Operations Weather Team Crest was authorized.[68]

In 1992, the Air Force approved the return of the weather parachutist's blue, black, and yellow beret flash from the late 1970s to present and affixed their large color metal Special Operations Weather Team Crest to it.[68]

Special Operations Weather Team example
Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash
A weather parachutist with AFSOC's 107th Weather Flight wearing gray beret with Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash and Combat Weather Team Crest (2008)[69]

In 1996, weather parachutists assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) began wearing a new Army style beret flash, known as the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash, while those assigned to Air Combat Command, known as combat weather teams, continued to wear the blue, black and yellow beret flash.[9][68][70] The Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash consisted of a red border representing the blood shed by their predecessors, a black background representing special operations, and three diagonal lines of various colors representing the services they supported (green=Army, purple=joint forces, and blue=Air Force).[68] Officers affixed their polished metal rank insignia while enlisted and NCOs affixed their Parachutist Badge to the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash until 2002 when the Combat Weather Team Crest was created.[68] The Combat Weather Team Crest was affixed to both Special Operations Weather Team and Combat Weather Team Beret Flashes by enlisted and NCOs while officers continued to affix their polished metal rank insignia.[6][68][69][71]

In 2007/2008, the Special Operations Weather Team Beret Flash stopped being worn by AFSOC weather parachutists while the Combat Weather Team Beret Flash continues to be worn by combat weather teams to this day.[4][6][72]

Security Forces

[edit]
1041st Security Police Squadron example
1041st Security Police Squadron Beret Flash
A security policeman with the 1041st Security Police Squadron wearing dark–blue beret and unit beret flash (c. 1967)[73]

In 1966/67, the newly formed 1041st Security Police Squadron was authorized to wear a dark–blue beret with a unique organizational beret flash.[73][74][75] The 1041st's beret flash has a depiction of a white falcon carrying a pair of lightning bolts on a somewhat heart-shaped light–blue cloth shield that was worn over the left temple.[73][74][75]

Security Forces example
Security Forces Beret Flash
A security forces airman with the 55th Security Forces Squadron wearing navy–blue beret with Security Forces Beret Flash (1998)[76]

In 1997, the Air Force stood up the security forces AFSC, combining Air Force police and security forces into one carrier field, and honored the heraldry of the 1041st Security Police Squadron by creating a new organizational beret flash for all security forces airman and NCOs for wear on their dark-blue beret.[4][74] The new Security Forces Beret Flash depicts the 1041st's falcon over an airfield on a dark–blue shield–shaped patch bordered in gold with a white scroll at its base embroidered with the motto "Defensor Fortis" (defenders of the force) in dark–blue title case.[4][74] Security forces officers wear the same basic beret flash minus the embroidered falcon and airfield and in its place they affix their polished metal rank insignia.[4]

TACP

[edit]
Air Mobility Liaison Officer example
Institute of Heraldry manufacturing instructions
An Air Mobility Liaison Officer with the 8th Air Support Operations Squadron wearing black beret with Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash and polished metal captain rank insignia affixed (2011)[77]

In 1979, TACP airman and NCOs were given authorization to wear the black beret. In 1984, two TACP's submitted a design for a unique beret flash and crest for wear on their berets which the Air Force approved one year later.[28] The TACP Beret Flash consists of a scarlet border that represent the firepower TACP's bring to bear with two dovetailed fields of blue and green representing the close working relationship between the Air Force and the Army that is enabled by the TACP.[78] TACP officers also wear the TACP Beret Flash and Crest but with miniature polished metal rank insignia below the crest.[4][79][80]

Air liaison officers assigned to an air support operations squadron or group can also be given authorization to wear the black beret and TACP Beret Flash with full-size polished metal officer rank insignia (no crest).[4][28][81][82]

Some Air Mobility Liaison Officers also wore the black beret.[28] Although worn informally, in 2015 The Institute of Heraldry authorized a slight modification of the TACP Beret Flash for wear by Air Mobility Liaison Officers, incorporating an embroidered compass rose in the upper–left corner of the flash.[77][83] The Air Mobility Liaison Officer Beret Flash was worn in the same manner as Air Liaison Officers wear the TACP Beret Flash.[77][84]

Combat Aviation Advisors

[edit]
Combat Aviation Advisor example
Combat Aviation Advisor Flash
An NCO (left) and an officer (right) with a combat aviation advisor squadron are wearing brown berets with Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash with the officer affixing his metal major rank insignia (2018)[85]

From 2018–2022, AFSOC authorized the wear of the brown beret for airman, NCOs, and officers assigned to combat aviation advisor squadrons, such as the 6th and 711th Special Operations Squadrons.[85][86] The brown beret—similar to the Army's brown beret—was worn with an Army style organizational beret flash consisting of a blue field with olive–green diagonal stripes and border.[9][85] The Combat Aviation Advisor Beret Flash was worn centered over the left eye with polished metal officer rank insignia, chaplain branch insignia, or an AFSC metallic beret crest affixed to the beret flash while all other advisors wore it without accoutrements.[85][87]

US Navy

[edit]

In the 1960s, select US Navy riverine patrol units operating in South Vietnam adopted the black beret to be part of their daily uniform and wore various accouterments on their berets.[88][89] In 1967, the Commander of the Riverine Patrol Force sent an official message to the Commander of River Patrol Flotilla Five authorizing the wear of the black beret.[89] In this message, the wear and appearance of the beret was defined stating, "Beret will be worn with river patrol force insignia centered on right side" and "Only standard size river patrol force insignia will be worn on beret. ... No other emblem or rank insignia will be displayed on beret."[89][90] Today, these US Navy small boat units honor their heritage by wearing the black beret during special occasions—such as induction ceremonies into the Gamewardens Association[91]—and will affix historically relevant riverine task force insignia for use as their beret flash.[92][93][94][95]

Examples of US Navy riverine units' use of the black beret
Riverine Patrol Force, Task Force 116 Insignia
Chief of Naval Operations (left) and Commander, Riverine Patrol Force (right) wearing black berets with Task Force 116 Insignia (1969)[96]
A Navy NCO from Riverine Squadron 1 receives the black beret with Task Force 116 Insignia at a ceremony making him an honorary "Gamewarden" (2011)[93]

Beret flashes of the US military (1973–present)

[edit]

Air Force

[edit]
Obsolete

Army

[edit]

Adjutant general

[edit]
Obsolete

Air defense artillery

[edit]
Obsolete

Armor and cavalry

[edit]
Obsolete

Aviation

[edit]
Obsolete

Chemical

[edit]
Obsolete

Civil affairs

[edit]
Obsolete

Engineers

[edit]
Obsolete

Field artillery

[edit]
Obsolete

Infantry

[edit]
Obsolete

Logistics

[edit]
Obsolete

Medical

[edit]
information Beret flashes in this section may be obsolete.
Obsolete

Military intelligence

[edit]
Obsolete

Military police

[edit]
Obsolete

Multidisciplinary units

[edit]
Obsolete

Ordnance

[edit]

Psychological operations

[edit]
Obsolete

Public affairs

[edit]
Obsolete

Signal

[edit]
Obsolete

Special forces

[edit]
Obsolete

Training

[edit]
Obsolete

Joint

[edit]
Obsolete

State defense forces

[edit]
A Texas State Guard officer wearing an Army blue service uniform with Texas State Guard Beret Flash and brigadier general rank insignia affixed (2010)[97]
A Georgia State Defense Force chaplain wearing an Army combat uniform with State Defense Force Beret Flash and Chaplain (Judaism) Branch Insignia (2011)

The US state defense forces—also known as state guard, state military reserve, or state militia—in many US states and territories wear modified versions of US Army uniforms.[8][98][99] To help separate state guard units from Army units, such as the Army National Guard, they will often wear unique name tape, badges, shoulder sleeve insignia, and/or headgear.[99] If the militia unit chooses to wear the Army black beret, a unique organizational beret flash is worn to help further distinguish them from Army units.[8][99][100][101][102][103][104] These state military reserve organizational beret flashes are worn in the same manner as today's Army beret flashes.[99][100][101][102][103][104] The following is a list of some organizational beret flashes worn by various state and territory militias:

State/Territory specific beret flashes

[edit]
Obsolete
information Beret flashes in this section are difficult to verify.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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