A patrol cap, also known as a field cap is a soft cap with a stiff, rounded visor, and flat top, worn by military personnel in the field when a combat helmet is not required.[1]
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History
M1951 Field Cap and Ridgeway Cap
The M1951 Field Cap, introduced with the M1951 Uniform, was a derivative of the M1943 Field Cap, part of the M1943 Uniform.[2][1] The M1951 cap was worn in the Korean War, where it became known as the "patrol cap" by the US Army Rangers there.[1] It was constructed of wind-resistant olive drab cotton poplin, and had a flannel wool panel that folded down to cover the ears and the back of the head.[1] It was soft enough to be worn underneath an M-1 helmet.[1] After the Korean War, the cap was replaced by the Ridgeway Cap, a stiffened version of the M1951.[1] The hat became famous outside America by being worn by Fidel Castro. The patrol cap was replaced altogether, early in the Vietnam War, with a baseball-like "Cap, Field (Hot Weather)" and the boonie hat.[3][4]
BDU and ACU Patrol Cap
In 1985, following the introduction of the M81 Battle Dress Uniform, the patrol cap was reintroduced.[5] The patrol cap continues to be worn the Army Combat Uniform, introduced in 2004.[6] The materials are 50% cotton, 50% nylon blend.[5] It has been available in different variants and patterns, such as hot weather models which have eliminated the ear flaps.[5] Patterns have included M81 Woodland, Six color desert camouflage, Three color desert camouflage, and the Universal Camouflage Pattern.[5][6] The ACU patrol cap features a velcro-backed patch on the back with the soldiers name printed on it and a small internal pocket, and sometimes has the soldiers rank insignia pinned on the front, as seen in the image at right. The patrol cap also comes in a pixelized version of the Tigerstripe camouflage pattern, worn with the United States Air Force's Airman Battle Uniform.
See also
References
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