Actually maroon is the beret color adopted since WWII for infantry and support MOSs assigned to airborne organizations/units. It's more a traditional designation acceptance by militaries than an International imposed decree that maroon is the color for being airborne. Typically it is primary colors (red, blue and yellow) and secondary colors ( orange, green and purple/violet) that set the primary symbolism associations (element, mythology, power of nature) other hues/shaded inherit.
Awareness of two perspectives of designated beret color is needed, reference AR 870–5.
(1) A traditional designation—one used by an organization continuously for the last 30 years or more.
(2) A distinctive designation—one used by an organization for less than 30 years or one with which an organization wishes to be associated.
Some historical info:
Red and hues and shades of red symbolize blood of life, boldness, Christ, courage, hardiness, liberty, magnanimity, passion, patriotism, planet Mars, sentiment, strength, valor, warmth (of fire), and zeal. Negative: anarchy, blood (spilled), danger, death throes, Satan, fire (burning), passions, revolution, war, and wounds.
The first instance of a colored beret in the U.S. Army was in 1943, Army Historical Foundation chief historian Matt Seelinger told Army Times.
The commander of the British 1st Airborne Corps gifted the paratroopers of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion — now a regiment, the unit is now part of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division — the deep red berets worn by British airborne soldiers. “It was a relatively small part of the American airborne contingent,” Seelinger said, and they stopped wearing them after the war.
June 1942: United States’ 1st Army Ranger Battalion activated in Northern Ireland under Maj. William O. Darby. Six Ranger battalions were formed for war service. Soldiers who completed the rigorous British training won the right to wear the British Commando green beret. wear was also discontinued until U.S. Army formed its first Special Forces organizations during 1952. It did not become the official headgear worn by Army Special Forces until 1961. It didn't get connected to an MOS until the Special Forces Branch and 18 series MOS were established in the 1980s.
