Quote Originally Posted by bubba
The Special Forces was the first authorized to wear a beret with the uniform, the green beret. Rangers were the first authorized to wear the black beret with the uniform.
The Cav was authorized in 1973, Rangers in 1975 (and it was taken from the Cav in 1979). To be fair the 10th Rangers did wear black berets in 1951, but that was a local commander's decision. The first to wear berets were the Brittish Armor units in 1924.

Kilt connection, the berets were based on Scottish bonnets (according to the US Army)

More info at http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/gener...rethistory.htm and http://www.army.mil/features/beret/beret.htm

Adam