A headdress is an indispensable attribute of a soldier's equipment. In inclement weather, it protects from rain, in cold weather - saves from frost. But there are special headdresses, the wearing of which becomes for a warrior a symbol of belonging to the elite. These include the maroon beret. To deserve it, the fighter has to go through serious trials.
Which troops wear a maroon beret
As a standard piece of uniform, berets have long been popular in armies around the world. Most often, they have a certain color, which allows the owner of the beret to be attributed to a specific branch of the army or a special purpose unit. Such headgear is often worn by army special forces and other elite units, for example, airborne troops or marines.
The dark red beret appeared in the Soviet Union in the late 70s of the last century, when the first special forces unit was formed as part of the Dzerzhinsky Division. The maroon beret almost immediately became not so much an attribute of uniform as a sign of the highest professional qualifications of its owner. By such a headdress, the initiates recognized the spetsnaz from afar.
Today, maroon berets are worn only by those fighters of special-purpose units that are part of the structure of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who have proven their right to this distinctive mark with their physical training, professional skill and moral and strong-willed qualities. Special tests are required to be eligible to wear this headgear.
Qualification tests for special forces
Only those special forces soldiers who have gone through severe trials have the right to wear an elite maroon beret. This privilege comes through pain, sweat, and blood. The regulations on tests were approved by the Commander of the Internal Troops in 1993. The exam includes two stages. First, there is a check based on the results of special training. An applicant for wearing a maroon beret must score the maximum number of points in all basic types of combat training.
After this, the main test activities are carried out. Fighters make a march, overcoming a variety of obstacles. The challenger will also have to endure a duel with an opponent superior in strength. The rules for conducting martial arts are quite strict, and therefore the fight can be considered as close to real conditions as possible. Hand-to-hand combat is perhaps one of the most serious tests required to obtain the coveted qualification.
Statistics show that in the end, no more than a third of applicants are honored to wear a dark red beret. The handing over of the headdress to the special forces takes place in a solemn atmosphere. Accepting this symbol of courage, the fighter kneels down and kisses the headdress. Even recognized special forces fighters are experiencing special excitement at this moment.
