Garrison Cap Ergonomics

professorm804

professorm804

USMA 2025
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
152
My friend at USMA told me that they brought back the garrison caps last year. Personally, I love the aesthetic/look of the garrison cap despite its reputation. However, my friend told me that the garrison cap had somewhat questionable ergonomics. Is there any input on this? Thank you!
 
🍿🍿 I am breaking out the popcorn on this, because I truly want to know what “questionable ergonomics” means in relation to a garrison cap. I loved my khaki Navy garrison cap, for which, because we are a clean-living forum, I will not supply the usual slang term. Easy to wear, easy to wash, inexpensive to replace, easy to fold up and stow if in a no-cover zone, classic cover (though not worn as jauntily as WWII movies show anymore). Marines and Blue Angels wear them, so I was cool with mine back in the day. A lot of attitudes and thoughts about uniforms come from the Service culture, in terms of popularity, wearability and cool factor, so I have my popcorn ready as I await current and former Army inputs.
 
Ahhhh....the favorite garrison cap. I echo Capt MJ's comments above. I wore it for four years at WP, but rarely had a chance to wear it in the Army. I'm glad it made a comeback (my DS enjoys wearing his as well).
 
Garrison cap much more functional for day to day wear than a "saucer" cap. Also wore it all fours years at USMA and during a one year office type assignment.

I would venture a guess that "questionable ergonomics" = slang term. Either that or the fact that without a brim, the garrison cap doesn't shade eyes from sun.
 
Capt MJ said:
because we are a clean-living forum, I will not supply the usual slang term.
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Thank you. One of the slang terms is extremely vulgar.

It seems like everyone loves the garrison hat from cub scouts, through JROTC and all the way up. Not sure why anyone would NOT like it. Beret's however, don't get me started.
 
Also referred to in the Navy as a piss-cutter. Not sure of the origin of the name. It was super easy to slide up under the khaki belt or down in to the lower pocket of a flight suit. I barely remember wearing a combo cap with khaki.
 
The male ones aren't bad at all. The female ones... however... are what I believe you are referring to by "questionable ergonomics." So much so that they're issuing us the male ones next year.
 
prospective2019 said:
The male ones aren't bad at all. The female ones... however... are what I believe you are referring to by "questionable ergonomics." So much so that they're issuing us the male ones next year.
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Gosh, I remember back in the late 70’s there were “banana caps,” a curved style for Navy women. That was a time of huge advances in Navy uniforms for women, and we wanted the unisex garrison caps.

The photo below is the WAVES garrison cap of WWII. They made a khaki one in the banana shape when khakis were finally authorized for E-7 and above women in very late 70’s or very early 80’s. Big ugh factor. The men’s straight-sided one, still worn today, became the unisex version.
Was the USMA one for women a banana cap?
9283F395-81C1-4C2C-BC6A-9EE17FE85BA0.jpeg
 
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Capt MJ said:
Gosh, I remember back in the late 70’s there were “banana caps,” a curved style for Navy women. That was a time of huge advances in Navy uniforms for women, and we wanted the unisex garrison caps.

The photo below is the WAVES garrison cap of WWII. They made a khaki one in the banana shape when khakis were finally authorized for E-7 and above women in very late 70’s or very early 80’s. Big ugh factor. The men’s straight-sided one, still worn today, became the unisex version.
Was the USMA one for women a banana cap?
View attachment 8223
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Those are the ones! Except they're cadet grey. Hoping the unisex ones will be less vulgar. I don't get the point of having the female-specific ones; they're worse for wearing with a bun than then male variant.
 
prospective2019 said:
Those are the ones! Except they're cadet grey. Hoping the unisex ones will be less vulgar. I don't get the point of having the female-specific ones; they're worse for wearing with a bun than then male variant.
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Yes, the bun thing was a major issue. Banana cap went too long in the back, and fit too snugly atop the head. Unisex cap had some headroom for bun there or at nape.

If the OP was referring to a female garrison cap, I think we may have jointly solved the ergonomics reference, for the reading enjoyment of others here. Well done, us.
 
Capt MJ said:
Yes, the bun thing was a major issue. Banana cap went too long in the back, and fit too snugly atop the head. Unisex cap had some headroom for bun there or at nape.

If the OP was referring to a female garrison cap, I think we may have jointly solved the ergonomics reference, for the reading enjoyment of others here. Well done, us.
Click to expand...

Cheers to the eternal struggle of female servicemembers just trying to get some clothes that fit right
 
Yes. DW always struggled with uniforms and hair. When she went to Desert Storm she got her “go to war” cut, short hair. I could never decide if I liked her better with long or short hair.
When she became a pilot she finally gave up the struggle and cut her hair short permanently. The bun was just too painful under a flight helmet. So I guess I should say I like her better with short hair. But I actually do.
Of course when my DS was younger and asked about pictures of her with shoulder length hair I would respond “That’s what happens when you get married. Your wife cuts her hair short and turns mean.” For some reason DW didn’t see the humor in that.
The Army has finally relaxed the hair regulation for women but that may be a dual edged sword. I know there are some situations in the military where long hair can be dangerous. I think males will be afraid of enforcing hair discipline in those situations.
The “new” Army pink and greens has a garrison cap and I think it’s more female friendly. The uniform went through quite a bit of testing. DD says she likes the garrison cap.
As others have written, I personally like the look of the garrison cap more than the bus driver hat and felt it had more utility during informal situations. I know of the derogatory term for it but never used it and don’t think it’s a reason not to have it.
 
Hopefully, this is related to the OP. If too far off-topic feel free to let me know and I will delete it.
Some of this I understand. When I was in I didn't purchase a skirt or pumps, but DW did. I think those are "optional"... should a female get more money for things that are optional?

www.stripes.com

Active-duty women pay up to 10 times more than men for mandatory uniform items, GAO report says

The GAO also found that reimbursements paid to female active-duty service members for uniform items were lower than what their male counterparts received.
www.stripes.com www.stripes.com
 
Back in my day males and females wore the same style cap....glad to hear the "unisex" model is making a comeback for female cadets. Comfort and STYLE matter...
 
@Capt MJ Did you really summon the Blue Angels on the USMA forum?
My guys love the garrison cap. It was not issued to #1's class but he managed to snag one from somewhere...they had the beret for official use. #3 has the garrison cap--loves it.
:tank:
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Hopefully, this is related to the OP. If too far off-topic feel free to let me know and I will delete it.
Some of this I understand. When I was in I didn't purchase a skirt or pumps, but DW did. I think those are "optional"... should a female get more money for things that are optional?

www.stripes.com

Active-duty women pay up to 10 times more than men for mandatory uniform items, GAO report says

The GAO also found that reimbursements paid to female active-duty service members for uniform items were lower than what their male counterparts received.
www.stripes.com www.stripes.com
Click to expand...

@UHBlackhawk ,

I love you like a brother, but please no. Let's not go down that road. I know your intentions are pure, but I can see this turning into the sucking vortex that is today's discussion culture. There will be terms used whose definitions I don't understand and don't want to understand. It will end up using the castration of Mr. Potato Head as metaphor for the emasculation of men.

A logical follow up to your question would be, "Should a single male service member get a pay bump because his actuarial medical liability is much less than that of a single female or a married service member is much greater?"

A good place for your question would be the Comment section of MarlowWhite.com.
 
DrMom said:
@Capt MJ Did you really summon the Blue Angels on the USMA forum?
My guys love the garrison cap. It was not issued to #1's class but he managed to snag one from somewhere...they had the beret for official use. #3 has the garrison cap--loves it.
:tank:
Click to expand...
I did. The popcorn made me do it.
 
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