The Red Beret meme typically features a soldier or commando character wearing the iconic crimson headgear, symbolizing elite status, discipline, or an intense military persona. While variations of this image appear across different media—from retro video games like Metal Slug to modern tactical illustrations—the meme is consistently used to satirize 'hardcore' attitudes or to represent someone following orders with exaggerated intensity. It has become a staple in online communities to joke about strict rules, gaming clans, or anyone who takes a situation way too seriously, often pairing the stern visual with a caption that undercuts the character's perceived authority.