Washington — About 200 protesters gathered Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial to demonstrate against Army plans to issue black berets to all its soldiers an honor that had been reserved exclusively for the elite Rangers for more than two decades.
"Why would someone harm such a noble heritage?" former Ranger Bob Black asked the crowd.
Former Army Ranger Christopher Willis shouts the Army Ranger's creed Saturday after a march with fellow Rangers to protest against the Army's decision to issue the Rangers' trademark black beret as standard issue for Army uniforms.
The memorial to President Lincoln was chosen as the rally site because the former president briefly served as a Ranger himself. The Rangers are a small, elite force chosen for some of the Army's most hazardous and demanding missions.
But as part of an Army effort intended to boost morale and promote unity, the berets will become standard issue for all soldiers starting June 14 the Army's birthday.
But the protesters rejected those efforts.
"It's just not the way to do it," said former World War II Ranger John Kormann of Chevy Chase, Md. "I've seen young soldiers almost transformed during Ranger training. To some nice person sitting behind a desk, what will it mean to them?"
The only other distinguishing feature of the Rangers' uniform is a patch worn on the right shoulder.
According to the Army's Web site, armor and armored infantry troops were permitted to wear the black beret from 1973 until then-Chief of Staff Bernard W. Rogers banned unofficial headgear in 1979. Rangers were authorized the beret under a 1975 regulation.
Protest organizers shuttled between Capitol Hill offices last week, hoping to build support for their cause. Their supporters include Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., whose state is home to the 75th Ranger Regiment headquarters at Fort Benning.
Also, former Ranger David Nielsen, 30, completed his 700-mile walk that started Feb. 10 from Fort Benning to the nation's capital. About a dozen other former Rangers joined him for the last leg of the trip, and they marched Saturday across the Potomac River to the rally.
Nielsen, of Leesburg, Va., said he walked in protest, hoping to draw attention to the issue.
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