The novel of the writer Alexandre Dumas "The Three Musketeers" begins with the scene of the arrival in Paris of a young Gascon named D'Artagnan, who decided to become a soldier of the king. On the head of a provincial who lived in the middle of the 17th century, he wore a huge black beret, causing the laughter of others. In the twentieth century, such berets became part of the uniform for military personnel, which is no longer recommended to joke about. This is especially true for blue or blue berets.
Mark of distinction
Over time, multi-colored military berets have become not just a replacement for caps and caps, but also an indicator of a certain elitism of their owners. After all, the naval and air infantry who wore them, as well as various special forces, were considered the elite and even the most revered caste in the army.
Until recently, Russia was no different either, where only select and specially trained servicemen had the right to a prestigious beret. Now the situation has changed in many ways. The beret has become a familiar headgear not only for paratroopers and marines, but also for representatives of other branches of the military, even for police officers (OMON) and rescuers. And to the blue and black colors were added crimson, maroon, green, gray, cornflower blue, orange …
No, blue
The most prestigious in the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia is considered blue, and not blue, as it is sometimes incorrectly called a paratrooper. That is, a soldier and an officer of the Airborne Forces (Airborne Forces). It was introduced into use in 1968 by the then commander of the "winged infantry" General Vasily Margelov. And after the publication in July 1969 of the order of Defense Minister Andrei Grechko, this beret became official for the paratroopers.
It is curious that military historians claim: the original color of the Airborne Forces was crimson. As, in fact, the paratroopers in many other countries of the world. But after the tragic participation of Soviet troops in suppressing the uprising in Czechoslovakia, Margelov proposed the color of the sky for parachute formations - blue.
By the way, the same color in the vests and berets of the GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) special forces, whose official functions are often similar to those assigned to the paratroopers.
Those who chose the color of the sky
Soviet and Russian paratroopers are not the only ones in the army world to wear and wear blue berets. It is known that almost similar headdresses were part of the uniforms of separate special forces groups of the American Airborne Forces and the Air Force (Air Force) and the colonial units of the Portuguese army in Angola and Mozambique. In addition, blue berets, as symbolizing the color of the world, are included in the uniforms of the UN peacekeeping forces.
Namely, blue and dark blue berets, but not at all elite, are worn by security units of the US Air Force, military police in Israel and the military of South Africa. In addition, the blue berets are included in the new uniforms of the Russian Air Force.
