While a black beret is not the only definition of an Army Ranger, the U.S. Army should not make black berets standard issue for all Army personnel.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki announced in October that black berets will become the official headgear of the U.S. Army. The berets will be issued Army-wide in June. Now, only Army Rangers, a specialized fighting force, wear the berets.

Shinseki said he hopes the berets will symbolize excellence and unity in the Army. Many former Rangers, however, are not happy with the plan. Active-duty Rangers can’t voice protest because of a gag order, but many former Rangers, including the 75th Army Rangers Association, a national independent organization not affiliated with the Army, have voiced opposition to the plan.

The Army says the berets are not symbolic of the Rangers, but many Rangers disagree. While the beret may only be a hat, many Rangers view it as an important symbol of their accomplishments. Some argue it is the only reward Rangers get for the hard work they do.

To wear the black beret now, soldiers must successfully complete Army airborne school and the Rangers’ 21-day indoctrination program. The Rangers began wearing the black berets unofficially during the Korean War. They were given authorization to officially claim the berets as their own in 1974.

While the Army should be commended for making unifying changes, issuing black berets to all personnel is not the way to do it. There are other ways to make changes without taking a symbol already used by a special division. At the very least, the Army could choose another color for the beret.

The black beret is one of the only distinctions for an Army Ranger. If all Army personnel had them, it would take away from their special nature. If everyone got to wear honors cords at graduation, it would take away from the recognition deserved by those who earned the privilege to wear them.

Those who currently wear black berets have earned the privilege, and to make them standard issue is a slap in the face. It is no simple task to become a Ranger, and those who become Rangers should be respected, if only with a special hat.

The Army wants the berets to be a symbol of unity and excellence. Isn’t an Army uniform a symbol of unity and excellence in itself? Adding new headgear will not change that in any significant manner.

Sure, it is only a hat and only a color. Sure, a black beret does not make a Ranger. But, to those who wear them, they are more than just black hats. They are a symbol of excellence and accomplishment.

The black beret is a special distinction in the Army. Those who didn’t earn the privilege to wear one should not be allowed to.

While it is commendable of the Army to make changes and unify troops, it should not take a symbol of one of its elite forces. The black beret is symbolic of the Rangers no matter how the Army wants to look at it, and it should remain solely the privilege of Rangers.