Boonie hat

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
U.S. Army issue boonie hat in the BDU camouflage pattern, circa 1994

A boonie hat or booney hat is a type of wide-brim sun hat commonly used by military forces in hot tropical climates. Its design is similar to a bucket hat but with a stiffer brim.

The Australian giggle hat has a thinner brim. Often a fabric tape band of "branch loops" is sewn around the crown of the hat. This "foliage ring" is meant to hold additional vegetation as camouflage. A strap provides stability. The crown may be vented with eyelets or small mesh panels. Snaps may also be provided with which to fix the brim in the style of an Australian bush hat.

U.S. military boonie hat

Two U.S. military servicemen wearing boonie hats in 2001

A blue cap with an all-around brim was issued as part of the 1937 blue denim fatigue uniform that was nicknamed the "

knockoffs ("bootleg imitations") soon followed.[3]

The boonie hat was introduced to the

tigerstripe boonie hats were locally procured, and the camouflage cloth was usually salvaged from other uniform items or parachutes, and were fabricated by a tailor in the style of the Mlle 1949 French Chapeau de Brousse. The name is derived from "boonie", the abbreviated form of boondocks (originally American military slang derived from Tagalog bundok, "mountain", during the Philippine–American War).[5][6][7][8] The hat was similar to the hat worn with the pattern 1941 HBT fatigue
uniform.

In 1967, the U.S. Army began issuing boonie hats, such as the "Hat, Jungle, with Insect Net", made of

three-color desert, UCP, MultiCam, and both desert and woodland versions of MARPAT, as well as the Air Force ABU pattern.[4]
The boonie hat is often worn with the wearer's rank insignia pinned or sewn to the front, above the branch loops.

Hat, Camouflage (Tropical Combat) Type II

In 1968 the U.S. Army authorized the use of the woodland ERDL pattern (

Engineering Research Development Laboratory) material, used in 1969 and later production of hats in cotton ripstop material. These were labeled, "Hat, Camouflage (Tropical Combat) Type II" with contract dates starting in 1968. They were in use from 1968 for both the Army and Air Force, and from 1969 to 1970 for the Marine Corps and Navy.[4]

Hat, Sun, Hot Weather

Later boonies are called "Hat, Sun" or "Hat, Sun, Hot Weather", which is still the designation for this type of cover. They are made in various patterns, in cotton ripstop or nylon blend cloth.[4]

Australian Army giggle hat

Two Australian soldiers wearing "giggle hats" in South Vietnam

Similar wide-brimmed hats in the

South West Pacific theatre, during the Second World War. The design apparently originated from an earlier British uniform intended for fighting in hot and humid conditions. They were nicknamed "giggle hats" (as well as "hat ridiculous-for-the-use-of") by the Australian troops due to their appearance.[10]

The giggle hat gained popularity during the Malayan Emergency. Protection from the searing heat of Malayan conditions and heavy rain proved to be necessary. Alongside the British, the Australian Army started issuing this type of hat, which had a steeper and shorter brim than its earlier counterparts. It was made with the same materials as the hot weather combat uniforms, unlike the slouch hat, which was beginning to take on a more ceremonial role rather than being field gear.

These hats gained popularity during the

olive drab
, the standard colour of Australian combat uniforms at the time.

Australian soldier wearing a giggle hat, Afghanistan, 2013

Current giggle hats are issued in Multicam Pattern. They continue to be heavily used by the Australian Defence Force, and are issued to every person serving in the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

See also

References

  1. ^ p. 11 Young, Edward M. Merrill’s Marauders Osprey Publishing Ltd. 2009
  2. ^ . p. 81 Lemons, Charles Uniforms of the U.S. Army Ground Forces 1939 – 1945 Volume 5 Part 1 Caps and Hats Lulu.com, 13 May 2016[self-published source]
  3. ^ "The Johnny Jeep Hat: The Army fatigue hat inspires a new fashion fad". Life. 24 August 1942. pp. 104–105. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Hat, Jungle (Boonie)
  5. ISBN 978-1-134-19478-0
    .
  6. ISBN 0-226-10949-6
    .
  7. ISBN 0-8078-5653-3
    .
  8. ISBN 0-7102-0006-4
    .
  9. ^ "Vietnam - Equipment and Uniform". david.brubakers.us.
  10. ^ Cyril Ray (2001). "Jungle Chic". Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved November 13, 2014.

External links

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