Female drill sergeants will begin wearing the same distinctive campaign hats as their male counterparts, an Army spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
Any soldier who has gone through initial entry training will instantly recognize the broad-rimmed campaign hats currently worn only by male drill sergeants, which bear more than a passing resemblance to Smokey the Bear’s headgear.
Task & Purpose has confirmed that both active-duty and Reserve female drill sergeants will start wearing the campaign hat on Jan. 2. The change was prompted by difficulties with vendors meeting Army standards for quality when producing the female drill instructor hat, said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, due to the federal government shutdown.
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