FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- More than 30 soldiers on Fort Bragg are sporting new headgear after a beret donning ceremony Thursday.

  • Paratroopers within two battalion companies received maroon berets as airborne explosive ordinance disposal soldiers.
  • The berets show that they not only jump from planes, but also handle explosives.
  • Soldiers said it took more than a year to set up the ceremony to get the recognition they deserve.

Paratroopers within two battalion companies received maroon berets as airborne explosive ordinance disposal or EOD soldiers. It was the first ceremony of its kind.

Previously, the paratroopers were wearing black berets during ceremonies. Now, they're be wearing maroon berets every day showing not only do they jump from planes, but also handle explosives.

"A beret is something I haven't had to wear daily," 1LT Brian Kennison said. "It'll be an adjustment getting ready in the mornings, I guess. Just kind of that pride and that lineage that we can now fall under gives it a sense of well-being as well."

Soldiers said it took more than a year to set up the ceremony to get the recognition they deserve.