Which Australian Army bush hat do you get?

Question

Just wanting to know, who decides on the bush hat you get in the Australian Army? The wide or short brim, or do you get to choose yourself?

Answer 1

Depends on your unit or whatever the chosen issue hat is. The hat issued at Kapooka or RMC changes very frequently.

When I went through Kapooka, there were two types of hats - the lucky recruits got the soft floppy ones with a neck protector (removable, thankfully), a design that was being replaced.

Unfortunately, most of us got these boonie hats with stiff, broad brims that had a wire running inside to keep it all rigid. They kept the sun away, but looked awful and were frequently cut up by new soldiers to make them look better.

For a short time my unit's Q-Store issued these bucket hats - a little goofy looking, but great at keeping the sun out of your face and better than the boonie hats. These days, the issue seems to be the giggle hat - a soft, short-brimmed hat made popular in Vietnam.

Most of us just buy our own hats, usually the short giggle hats (tip - go to Aussie Disposals, they sell for about $5). You can wear any bush hat of your choice, as long as it is in Auscam, has a sufficient brim to meet workplace safety regulations and isn't faded or in disrepair.

Answer 2

Hi,

there's no such thing as a Barracks Bush hat, they used to be short brim hats but because of all sorts of new regulations they have gone to big brim hats, for sun protection. Some models are outrageously huge, for example the trial Somalia hat was massive. These days you get a floppy big brim hat, which does nothing for your appearance. RFSU's on the other hand wear Keppies.

You don't get a choice it just depends on what your Q-Store has got.

You don't parade in your bush hat, and in most unit bush hats are part of field dress, therefore you don't wear them in barracks.

Answer 3

When your out in the Field you'll get your boonie (short brim) the

Wide brim is for when your on base or Parade,

your CO will decide for you