Enough with the beret: The Army is doing away with the green Class A service uniform, and going to the traditional blue uniform for all non-combat purposes . While they are at it, maybe they could do away with the European-style beret and go back to the slouch hats of 100 years ago. There are many practical benefits — the slouch hat is useful in both sun and rain, unlike the useless beret. And there is tremendous symbolic value as well. This is American headgear, instantly recognizable as such, and an expression of our culture and history. We may not put cowboy boots on the ground, but at least our soldiers could have cowboy hats.