The nonsubdued pin-on metal Captain rank insignia is centered on the flash found on the black beret, standard headgear Army-wide since 2001, as well organizational issue headgear (maroon, tan, and green berets). Before that time, these insignia were worn on Garrison Caps that were issued as part of the Army Class A Green uniform beginning in 1956. Although they were made obsolete for official Army wear with the move to the black beret,
we continue to offer Garrison Caps because, for many veterans, this reliable, convenient, and low-maintenance headgear is inextricably linked to the time they invested in serving their nation in the Army.
Although the decision to replace Garrison Caps with black berets was not met with universal praise, there is no denying that berets have several of the qualities that led to the adaptation of the Garrison Cap in France during World War I. Unlike Service Caps, both berets and Garrison Caps take up almost no storage space; they are essentially impervious to any type of permanent damage; and cleaning and care of berets and Garrison Caps is much simpler than for Service Caps.
In 2011, the Army announced the Patrol Cap would replace the beret as the standard headgear for the Army Combat Uniform, but that the black beret would still be the default headgear for wear with the Service Uniform. However, in 2015 the Army announced that despite the beret’s status as standard headgear for the ASU, all personnel—enlisted and officers alike—would be required to own a Service Cap.