The mystery of the parà without Basque

19/06/15

When we talk about paratroopers, the first image we have is that of the military man with the Amaranth Basque and the firm patent, sewn on him.

The military personnel currently in service at the World Exposition in the Lombard capital has received orders to leave home the Amaranth Basque and to replace it with a more anonymous headgear supplied to all the armed forces called "jungle".

On social networks the indignation of the paratroopers and their supporters is tangible. The beret is the undisputed symbol of the Folgore Paratroopers Brigade, replacing it for many verges on outrage.

Avoiding wanting to think badly, the motivation for the replacement seems to have a completely rational basis. The beret by its nature is made of a material similar to boiled wool or felt, the heat that accumulates is a lot and wearing it for several hours under the scorching sun does not help to keep our soldiers in decent service conditions. 

The jungle is made of lighter material (although the goretex may be light) and it seems that it maintains a temperature more suited to the service performed. The variant of a different color from the vegetate has not yet placed it on the market.

If the decision of the Army General Staff seems to be justified, so are the perplexities of the network and those directly affected.

If the real problem is the heat that accumulates and the consequent state of health of the staff in service I would suggest extending this provision to cities such as Rome and Turin, whose climatic conditions are certainly not better.

I would take a look at the soldiers employed by the Unknown Soldier in Rome or as a father in front of the Quirinale, do they have a different microclimate?

No less important are the subjects employed outside the area - from Somalia to Afghanistan - where temperatures are not reasonable even at night and for which no measures have been taken.

In short, some questions are legitimate!

As often happens in very complex contexts such as the Army, solving the problem - assuming that the heat is really a problem for the military - it costs effort and above all money so we limit ourselves to the quickest solution.

Was not it more useful - and much more popular - to improve service conditions, perhaps by decreasing work shifts and offering drinks to ward off ills, instead of focusing on the only thing untouchable for a soldier?

Surely the image that you must have of a soldier is that of a strong subject with a leathery spirit that bears some degree more than the seasonal average but it is also true that the Middle Ages have been over for a few centuries.

Offering mobile stations where refreshment with water and some livelihood will not destroy the finances of the defense and will not even make the soldiers appear like slackers, would rather make us appear rational and coherent.

Better a few bottles of water more paid by the state or some Basque Amaranth in the streets less?

The symbol that that amaranth beret represents for many aspiring para is an achievement that will cost them sweat and effort. For the wearer it is the unequivocal seal of belonging to something that many aspire to and to which few reach. 

Basque is not an object that is removed and placed at will according to the seasons: for the paratrooper it represents a link with the traditions and lifestyle that has been decided to follow.

That Basque has forced to leave families and commitments to ensure security in Milan a few hours from the arrival in mass of tourists and celebrities.

Nothing can erase the personal meaning that the beret represents for the wearer, nor the torrid heat, nor the sterile polemics will certainly not be the Expo.

"Bathing the beret in a pool of blood became the symbol of all of us parishes the sacrifice of our fallen" 

Denise Serangelo

(photo: congedatifolgore.com / EMS)