Walter B. Jones: “last week I attended a briefing before the House Committee on Armed Services regarding the decision to change the…”

“last week I attended a briefing before the House Committee on Armed Services regarding the decision to change the headgear of the United States Army from the traditional green folding cap to a black beret. There have been many hearings and briefings since this decision was announced, and it seems to me, following each one, another bit of information not previously known has come to light. The decision to disregard the history and proud tradition of the Rangers was the first bad decision. The decision to bypass the Berry amendment and purchase the berets from China and other foreign countries, rather than buy them from U.S. suppliers, was the second bad decision. I did not believe that this decision could become any worse, but the longer the situation drags on, the worse it seems to become. The bottom line is that we have troops without adequate ammunition and pilots who cannot fly because of a lack of funds, so why would the Army spend $23 million to change the color of a hat on the whim of one general? It just does not add up.”