Combat beret

The Combat beret is a beret used by the Royal Guard since 2017. The beret is a modern version of the historic Alpine beret used until the First World War.

Alpine beret
Until 1960, the 5th Light Infantry Company operated an alpine unit, and they employed from 1916 a large floppy beret. The end of alpine units in the guard saw the end of the large beret.

Combat beret
2017 saw the introduction of a new combat beret, with the same style as the alpine beret but issued in a camouflage pattern for use in the field and for field units.

Combat units
For all infantry, armoured and artillery units, the combat beret is the standard beret used while in camouflage battle dress, and in the field when not actively engaged and needing a helmet. The standard Royal Guard cap badge is only used with it, with Royal Grenadiers being alternately allowed their standard black beret.

Special units
Since 2017 the Royal Reconnaissance Jaeger Battalion and Amphibious Tactical Forces use camouflage as both the standard and field dress, thus using the camouflage beret for most use and leaving the white and green berets for formal dress occasions. The cap badges are kept the same.

Design
The combat beret is designed slightly different from the camouflage used on uniforms, and is meant to help better camouflage soldiers while on operation and not actively engaged. The beret has a stretchable band which allows it to go over the helmet, similar to the Israeli mitznefet, which aims to break up the soldier's profile.