South Dakota National Guard
For Immediate Release: November 27, 2001
For More Information: Maj. Mark Johnston, 737-6721

RAPID CITY -- Effective December 1, 2001, the black beret will be the official headgear to be worn with uniforms in the South Dakota Army National Guard. Units throughout the state will be switching from the traditional "soft cap" to the beret, during ceremonies the next two weekends.

Fielding of the berets started on June 14, celebrating the Army’s 226^th birthday. The beret is a symbol of the Army’s transformation to a lighter, more deployable force and a long-standing symbol of the excellence in today’s Army. The beret is another visible symbol of the Army’s continuing commitment to the security of the nation and to the transformation process that will ensure the Army will be a strategically responsive force for the 21^st century.

Ceremonies are being planned in the following communities: Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Brookings, Chamberlain, Custer, De Smet, Elk Point, Flandreau, Huron, Lemmon, Madison, Milbank, Miller, Mitchell, Mobridge, Parkston, Pierre, Platte, Rapid City, Redfield, Salem, Sioux Falls, Sisseton, Spearfish, Sturgis, Vermillion, Wagner, Watertown, Webster, Winner and Yankton.

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Media note: For detailed information on the ceremony in your community, please call the Public Affairs Office at 737-6721.