In a Cavalry Unit, is it OK to wear a Stetson with Mess Dress while eating? What is the AR for Stetsons?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:53:56 -0400

Regarding Army Mess Dress; In a Cavalry Unit, is it OK, to wear a Stetson with Mess Dress while eating? What is the AR for Stetsons? I've looked through the AR 670-1, and can not find mention of the Stetson. Additionally, I am curious what style of cord is allowed for wear with the stetson.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 11 at 2017 1:02 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:02:17 -0400

I've seen in numerous pictures, member of Cav. units wearing their Stetsons with the Cav. crossed sabers on the hat.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 11 at 2017 1:16 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:16:22 -0400

We Cavalry folks where our Stetson with nearly every uniform, all occasions. I've never taken my Stetson off while at a function.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 11 at 2017 1:17 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:17:40 -0400

The cords depend on your MOS. There is no AR that covers the wear of the stetson.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 11 at 2017 1:34 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:34:23 -0400

There is no reg for Stetsons. It is unit commander discretion. The command (regiment for us ACR guys) will normally publish a policy letter on customs and courtesies of Stetson livin’. Wearing Stetsons indoors and dining is common but varies widely.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2017 1:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:51:46 -0400

*Cavalry*

Calvary is where Jesus was crucified.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 11 at 2017 2:44 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:44:13 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member "What is the AR for Stetsons?" Does not exist, its governed by local policy

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 11 at 2017 3:05 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:05:17 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member In a Cavalry Unit, is it OK, to wear a Stetson with Mess Dress while eating?"

NO, or at least not in the 1ST Cav Div..
(f) The “CAV Hat” may not be worn during the consumption of indoor meals.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2017 9:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 21:58:03 -0400

You "SHOULD" not be wearing any type of hat unless you are at some backyard BBQ.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 13 at 2017 3:03 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:03:12 -0400

Cords:
Commissioned officers wear gold and black.
Warrant officers wear silver and black.
Enlisted, it depends. When I was in 3ACR back in early 2000s, all enlisted wore cavalry yellow. However it's changed somewhat and some units have enlisted wear branch color cords.

Response by SGT Marc Riordan made Oct 13 at 2017 5:33 PM

SGT Marc Riordan — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 17:33:34 -0400

In 1/10 Cav we wore them while dining.

Response by CSM Richard Montcalm made Oct 13 at 2017 7:22 PM

CSM Richard Montcalm — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 19:22:06 -0400

Actually, the Stetson was banned in 1978 by the Army Chief of Staff, along with spurs and tanker boots. Alas, the Tankers and CAV guys can't follow regulations and sniveled so long about not getting their own version of the CIB that they were finally allowed to wear them and the spurs again, under local guidelines. The problem is that you can't separate them from their Stetsons- they now wear them where are NOT supposed to wear them.

How do I know? I was the first and only Infantry CSM for 7-17 CAV (AVN) at Fort Campbell. I was CONSTANTLY either having to correct Warrant Officers or getting calls from the DIV CSM because the troopers were caught wearing them in the wrong places.

Yes, I have mine, and it sits in my home office...I only wore when I HAD to...

Response by SSG James N. made Oct 13 at 2017 8:24 PM

SSG James N. — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 20:24:26 -0400

One does not wear any head gear while dining. It is bad form, ungentlemanly, and in bad taste. It also shows a lack of manners as well.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2017 11:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 23:31:36 -0400

After learning what I learned in 68W AIT today about cav scouts I am sorry that I am not a Cav Scout. It sounds like one of the best MOSs in the Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 6:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 06:09:26 -0400

Infantry has no chill.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 14 at 2017 10:15 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 10:15:27 -0400

Stetson is not authorized for wear officially by the Army. That's why you can't find it anywhere in AR 670-1. So the Infantryman you hear joking about that around a Cav guy..........are actually pointing out fact.

Response by 1SG Alex Larson made Oct 16 at 2017 12:10 AM

1SG Alex Larson — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 00:10:52 -0400

Who wears a hat while eating? Tacky.

Response by LTC Charles Patchin made Jan 21 at 2018 4:02 PM

LTC Charles Patchin — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:02:59 -0500

No one should wear a hat while eating. It is a sign of bad manners and upbringing. Except in a combat or maneuver situation.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 4:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:19:12 -0500

Yellow, with acorn ends?.

Response by SSG Thomas Reidenbach made Mar 4 at 2018 7:23 PM

SSG Thomas Reidenbach — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 19:23:33 -0500

Was with 2/6th Cav from '76-'78. Nobody really wore the stetson back then with this unit. Wonder if we would be able to wear it now?

Response by SSgt Ken Baldwin made Mar 4 at 2018 8:23 PM

SSgt Ken Baldwin — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:23:59 -0500

In the Marine Corps we always removed our covers in the chow hall. A dining out/in/ball is just a fancy chow hall, so covers are off. If you are outdoors eating, well, you are still in a chow hall: GOD'S chow hall. Show some class and remove your cover!

*USMC Infantry, Army Infantry, Army Cav Scout- I have done them all, I have a bitchin' Stetson on my shelf, and earned my spurs in Iraq, and thus I can comment.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 10:45 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 22:45:28 -0500

There is NO AR for Stetson's and spurs. The Cav wears them as a matter of tradition and pride. As a general rule you don't wear headgear while eating. (Unless you are outside.)

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 5 at 2018 12:23 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:23:58 -0500

If you were in a CAV unit, you would know- normally no headgear is allowed in the Messhall, unless you are serving food. Each unit has it's own little quirks.

Response by SGT Richard Maeser made Mar 6 at 2018 6:40 PM

SGT Richard Maeser — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 18:40:47 -0500

NO!!!!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 6 at 2018 6:41 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 18:41:39 -0500

Yes, since the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, it has been acceptable to wear Stetsons and spurs in public.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 8:55 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 08:55:13 -0400

The commander can designate the headgear. I’m sure the unit has an SOP for such regalia.

Response by Capt Bob Soldner made Mar 23 at 2018 11:17 AM

Capt Bob Soldner — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:17:15 -0400

Simple in our Corps. Remove your cover indoors unless under arms and there exceptions to that, such as partaking of a meal.

Response by SSgt Jeff Martin made Mar 24 at 2018 8:17 AM

SSgt Jeff Martin — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 08:17:43 -0400

Im Air Force but i distinctly remember training with Army at Ft Hood seeing Air Cavalry wearing the cowboy hats and big gloves. I was told they were Custer's old unit.

Response by PO3 Pat Hagan made Mar 24 at 2018 8:23 AM

PO3 Pat Hagan — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 08:23:17 -0400

I'm not very familiar with Army uniform regulations, the Navy requires all covers to be removed upon going indoors unless participating in some special ceremony. Does the Army allow covers to be worn indoors ?

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 26 at 2018 8:13 PM

SrA John Monette — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 20:13:27 -0500

since it is not an "issued" item, I imagine you can put whatever type of cord you want on it.

Response by SSG Marshall Paul made Mar 30 at 2020 2:56 PM

SSG Marshall Paul — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 14:56:35 -0400

I liked the little camo boony hats, liked the short billed patrol cap, hated the beret, always wanted a cork pith helmet, never like the c**t cap, but it was easy to fold away, refused to wear that bus driver hat, really liked the knit watch cap (navy period)...all to say that cowboy hat is the stupidest looking thing a soldier could wear.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Mar 30 at 2020 3:24 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:24:33 -0400

Unless you're engaged in field operations, a soldier always remove his cover when inside and eating.

Response by LTC Russ Smith made Mar 30 at 2020 4:30 PM

LTC Russ Smith — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 16:30:40 -0400

Back in the late eighties the Commander of 1/18 CAV Squadron, showed up at the 40th ID(M) in mess dress, Stetson, and Cape. He is a retired 1 start now, a Vietnam vet, CIB, Master Blasters, Pathfinder, Air Crew, Ranger, SF, PHM, BSM w/V, ARCOM w/V. The 40th is a National Guard outfit. His career was almost destroyed by the draft-dodging Colonels & Generals who joined the guard in the 60s & 70s to avoid Vietnam. They hated combat vets, especially real-deal war heroes like him.