Iraqi military berets
Sections:
- Beret Eagles
- pin types
- saddam era berets (1980 - 2003)
- New iraqi forces berets (Post 2003)
beret eagles
The Iraqi beret eagles are in the form of Iraq's Coat of Arms. When the coat of arms changed, so did the beret insignia, but it is not uncommon for Pre 1991 beret eagles to be worn during OIF.
The colors of the eagle can denote what occupation the individual has:
Silver: Police
Gilt/bronze/black/grey: Army
Iraqi beret eagles come in 2 main manufacturing types: Solid and stamped. Solid eagles have a solid, flat back to them, while stamped ones have the eagle imprint on the rear. Officer eagles are of higher quality, although both officers and enlisted men wore the eagles with the colored shield.
The colors of the eagle can denote what occupation the individual has:
Silver: Police
Gilt/bronze/black/grey: Army
Iraqi beret eagles come in 2 main manufacturing types: Solid and stamped. Solid eagles have a solid, flat back to them, while stamped ones have the eagle imprint on the rear. Officer eagles are of higher quality, although both officers and enlisted men wore the eagles with the colored shield.
pre-1991
Pre-1991 eagles have the 3 stars of the Iraqi flag going vertically down the shield inside the eagle. They have no Arabic script between the stars and are of superior quality. The eagles come in a plethora of different materials. Some are enameled, chromed, or have color.
Pre-1991 Eagle: This particular eagle is facing right instead of left, likely meaning it was originally from a collar tab or shoulder board. It is also silver colored for use by the Iraqi Police.
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Pre-1991 Eagle: This eagle is gilt colored for the army and has the stamped backing. It is of very good quality.
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post 1991
After the Gulf War in 1991, the eagle changed with the introduction of a new Iraqi flag. The stars on the shield now are horizontal, with most having "God is Great" written between them. After OIF in 2003, they stopped being produced. They are of far lesser quality because during this time, Iraq was under sanctions.
Post 1990 Eagle: This gilt version has the 3 stars going horizontally on the shield, but does not have "God is Great" between them, hinting that it was made either in 1991 or very shortly after. This particular eagle is of very bad quality because it was made when sanctions were placed on Iraq.
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Post 1990 Eagle: Another gilt version of the terrible quality sanction made eagle, this time with "God is Great" between the horizontally positioned stars. This was an OIF bringback from an Iraqi Republican Guard officer.
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post saddam
With the adoption of a new Iraqi Flag in 2008, the beret eagle changed once more. Now, the phrase "God is Great" written in Kufic script is present in the center of the shield without the 3 stars. That style is the eagle version in use today. They are of very good quality unlike those made during the sanction period in the Saddam era.
2008 - Present Eagle: This is one of the current beret eagles worn by the Iraqi Forces. Most of the new eagles are enameled like this one.
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PIn types
This refers to how the beret pin fastens to the beret.
saddam era
Cotter pin: One of the earlier ways to secure a beret pin, consisting of two posts and a cotter pin which goes through them.
Soldered safety pin: One of the more crude methods of beret pin attachments increasingly seen post 1991 is a safety pin which has been soldered on the rear of the beret badge.
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Improvised pin: Essentially the same concept as the cotter pin. The beret pin has two posts through which an object is put through. Usually it is a toothpick but the materials vary. This one is a nail.
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Safety pin: Usually used post 1991, the safety pin became an alternative to secure the beret pins made during the sanction period. This one appears to go through two posts to be secured.
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post saddam (2003 - present)
Saddam era berets
This sub section will go over beret maker marks and color differences of Saddam Era berets.
Beret Colors
Olive Green: This was the original beret color for the Iraqi army which was changed in 1982. It still continued to be worn by the Army and infantry training centers alongside the new black beret until 1991.
Maroon: Special Forces. Worn by those serving or having served in a Special Forces unit or completed a Special Forces class.
(This is a very dark blue)
Blue: Air Force and Navy (Can also be light blue)
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Black: General use (Infantry, Police, Navy, Armored, Republican Guard, Fedayeen, all ranks, etc). The beret color changed from olive to black in 1982.
Green: Thunder Troops/Commandos (Elite Iraqi troops). Each Iraqi division contained a commando regiment, which wore this beret color.
Red: Military Police
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Special units
Iraqi jump wings ( 1980's - Present): Worn by Special Forces and individuals who had earned their jump wings.
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Special Forces Beret Wing (1980's - Present): These were also worn by Special Forces personnel during the Saddam period and come in a few different colors. They are still worn today, but are slightly different. The Saddam era ones have a safety pin like fastener on the rear.
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branch insignia
Iraqi Police Beret insignia: The one in the photo is a post Saddam badge, but the Saddam era ones have the same design.
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Motor Transport Corps: Worn by Iraqi mechanized troops and vehicle crews.
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Maker marks
Wassit Company (Iraqi Made): An Iraqi company. They were the last company to produce Saddam era berets. Made Post 1991 and Pre OIF.
Iraqi made: While not a maker mark per say, the berets that are very poorly constructed from a cheap fabric are post 1991. These are very flimsy and don't hold shape well.
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Wassit Company (Iraqi made): Another variant of the Wassit logo that translates to "Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Wassit Company for Industry". These were made Post 1991 and Pre OIF.
Korean Made: This tag is from the company "Tayea" and says "Made in South Korea" on the rear.
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French Made: Berets with this stamp, an Iraqi Jihm stamp over a square containing the beret size, were exported to Iraq by a French company pre 1991.
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new iraqi forces berets
After the fall of Saddam, the New Iraqi Army continued to wear berets, but not to the scale as in the Saddam period where they wore them in combat. Now, they are normally worn for garrison and dress wear. While in the field, a kevlar helmet or baseball/soft cap is worn instead, save for some generals. Remember, the Iraqi army is not as organized as other military forces, so you will observe other branches seemingly wearing the wrong color, especially within the regular Iraqi army. This is because soldiers wear the beret color of their original unit. For example: If an Iraqi officer served in the special forces and was then transferred to the federal police, he is still allowed to wear his special forces maroon beret.
Beret colors
Maroon: Special Forces and other specialized units (ISOF, Golden Division, ERD, ICTS, ect...)
Also worn by individuals who have earned their jump wings or those who previously served in a Special Forces unit. 
Tan: Military Colleges (unconfirmed) and Infantry
Grey: Air Force and Navy
Red: Military Police
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Black: Iraqi Federal/Regular Police, and Army.
(The one above has a Police badge) 
Blue: Air Force
Green: Worn by Commando troops. Commando troops refers to the specialized units within each Iraqi Army brigade, not to be confused with the ISOF or ICTS as they have their own beret. They are worn with either the iraqi eagle or special forces pin.
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beret insignia (Not complete)
Special units
Iraqi Special Forces Wings (Post 2003): Worn by Special Forces and other specialized units, mainly the ISOF. It is also worn by individuals who have earned their jump wings that are not in those units. This version is worn by both enlisted personnel and officers.
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Iraqi Jump Wings (Post 2003): Although worn during the Saddam period, they are still worn today alongside the Special Forces Wing pictured on the left.
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branch insignia (not complete)
Iraqi Tanker/Armored Branch Insignia: Worn by Iraqi Armored and Tanker personnel
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Iraqi Police badge: Worn by both the regular and Federal Police.
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maker marks (not complete)
An unknown post Saddam beret manufacturer marking. It could be British made, but seeing that the Eiffel Tower is present on the logo, it could also be a Chinese imitation. This is on a maroon Special Forces beret brought back in 2008. It is of high quality.
This beret is marked to the Ministry of Interior (what the arabic translates to). It is unknown if they were the ones who manufactured it, or if it was contracted for them. If it was the latter, it would likely have been for the Iraqi Police.
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Another unknown beret manufacturer seen on post Saddam berets. The label hints it could be French made, but it could also be Chinese as they are known to imitate labels. This label has been observed on berets from the War on ISIS period.
This beret label says it was made by Compton Webb, but it is likely a knockoff of that famous British company. These are seen post 2003.
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Although it has a jihm stamp on the tag, this beret maker is not Saddam era. This was done by vendors in Iraq after 2003 to command higher prices when being sold. They are Iraqi made.
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