Should Cavalry Scouts be awarded tab and beret?

SPC David S. — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 19:34:17 -0400

I know what my Ranger friends will say about the tan vs. khaki berets but what do you think about Cav Scouts having the "new long tab". Personally I don't feel that it should be above the SF but the Rangers, Sapper, and President's One Hundred maybe. Let me know what you think
SCOUTS OUT!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 23 at 2014 2:31 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 02:31:30 -0400

AIR CAV!!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 11:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 23:51:07 -0400

Recon!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 23 at 2014 12:38 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:38:51 -0400

Maybe I'm missing something here, but how can you say that "Cav Tab" should be below the Special Forces Tab but, maybe, above a Ranger Tab, which are both awards (qualification tabs), as opposed to what is really a part of a unit patch.

Back in the day when you could only wear one tab on your uniform, there was great debate about which the wearer was more proud of (if qualified as both Ranger and Special Forces), the SF tab or Ranger tab. I had several friends (mostly NCOs) who had been awarded both and, without exception, they chose to wear the Ranger tab. In law enforcement, we would call that a "clue"...Just sayin.... :-) :-)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 12:48 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:48:59 -0400

*** WARNING *** The following was posted by a shmuck who actually thought this was true. Thank god for squared away SNCOs

I'm like 1LT John Martin, just a "Regular Guy". It's always great to see soldiers earn a mark of distinction they deserve. Is there an "order of precedence" for tabs" other than, "mine's longer than yours"? I can see where longevity of the SF tab being the BMOC for all these years will have the SF community up in arms, but things like this are unfortunately left to the striped suit mafia to decide. If I had to wager money, I'm pretty darn sure that a review of distinction tabs and their governing regs will be shortly forthcoming.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 23 at 2014 1:03 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:03:56 -0400

Then what? Infantry tab? Armor tab? Truck Driver tab?

Tabs are to show special qualification, not MOS. Your "Scout tab" is a shiny little disc with crossed sabres, just like every other MOS that is awarded for graduating AIT has theirs.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 23 at 2014 3:38 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:38:02 -0400

I knew this was baloney. First bullshit flag was "the newly designated 75th Battalion, 1st Special Cavalry Scout Forces Group". Now that's funny. I guess my sarcasim did not regesiter. I by no means was dropping coin here as I know my Ranger and SF friends are the true tab's. This was more directed to the 19D's out there. However for those of you still not sure about the new tab I also have a brand new set of canopy lights for sale. They're the new LED ones.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2014 7:41 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 19:41:23 -0400

Hard to the core..........

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Sep 23 at 2014 8:33 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:33:24 -0400

I think I would need to see an example. But I have to say I was against the Army giving black beret or any beret to non elites. I still feel berets should only go to elites like Airborne, Rangers, Special Forces. I think Air Assault had one at one point but I forget. As far as them having a tab. I don't have an opinion on the cav scouts having a tab.

Response by SFC Nestor Nievesmoran made Sep 23 at 2014 8:35 PM

SFC Nestor Nievesmoran — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:35:59 -0400

Everyone wants a tab, Combat Advisors, Master Gunners, Scouts, while we are on it we should develop a Correspondence Course Tab, or better yet an AAFES Tab.

Response by PFC Mike Mcdermott made Mar 30 at 2015 11:44 AM

PFC Mike Mcdermott — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:44:09 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 1:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:05:06 -0400

Ugh I hate the Cav

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Mar 30 at 2015 1:42 PM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:42:45 -0400

The silly things you Army guys worry about. LMFAO.

Response by SSG John Conquest made Apr 3 at 2015 5:57 PM

SSG John Conquest — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 17:57:02 -0400

Ok here is something, infantry has there blue disk and cord. What special thing did that Infantry guy do to get awarded that? Engineers has a SAPPER tab and for what? As a 19D they made us go to EIB, we passed with first time go (to easy) but was told we couldn't wear it because we where 19D. I had to get SAPPER qualified to run the demo range, Again I got a first time go with no studying. Now for 19D we have a spur ride, land navigation (day and night), road march, shooting, Badley Gunnery Skill Training, range card, PT test, Vehicle Identification, Call for fire, MILIOS Plugger drills, tactics, First Aid, demo, and a 20 km road march. I earned my Spurs (Gold and Silver), Stetson and Sabre. Do 19Ds do more than most MOSs? Yes, so why not a Recon tab

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 10:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 10:34:20 -0400

Ohh Cavs... Always full of surprises

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 10:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:01:24 -0400

Wow. Thankfully I took the time to read your comments on the some of the other responses. Lol. I almost fell out of my chair.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 1:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:34:08 -0400

The "distinguished Infantry items" were given to acknowledge the sacrifices that Infantryman made because we needed a boost in moral. When no one else wanted to be where we were! Now your Garrison training sounds top notch but this was made when 100,000 of grunts were dying.

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 19 at 2015 1:47 AM

CPT Russell Pitre — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:47:25 -0400

It is just an MOS. They are not on par with Ranger or SF. What about schools like LRSLC(RSLC)? I think they should get something. I don't know if an MOS school that does that. Don't you already have a hat and some cowboy spurs?

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 19 at 2015 1:51 AM

CPT Russell Pitre — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:51:56 -0400

This is too good.

Response by SFC Timothy AllBee made Aug 21 at 2015 10:19 AM

SFC Timothy AllBee — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:19:42 -0400

I would like to think yes as it is too late for me as I am retired but for those still serving as a Cavalry Scout it is a yes. As a Cavalry Scout you have to know may jobs such as; Medic, Engineer, Demolitions, Air-Land-Sea maneuvers, Supply, Radio Telephone Operations, Mechanic, and the list goes on. As you gain rank you gain skills and yes you should have a special tab for this MOS. This should have been done decades ago. These Troopers deserve it.

Response by SP5 Christopher Stice made Sep 3 at 2015 2:03 PM

SP5 Christopher Stice — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:03:57 -0400

I'm a medically retired Scout, I agree with the tab(if they would do a school for it, like sapper has and it shouldn't go over the sf or ranger tab, any other tab yes) but I think we should keep with the stetson and not switch to a beret. it is a MOS not a special skill. Send them to a recon training and a special training school then give the tab. The training should involve air assault and airborne. being a Scout is tough and we do do a lot more then most but is still a mos. Its kind of a mockery for the special communities and for scouts to have that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 5:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:03:16 -0400

a long time ago I used to wear a Pershing missile tab above my unit patch. it show that we where in trusted to take care of and use a nuclear weapon

Response by MSG Larry Caldwell made Sep 29 at 2015 8:21 PM

MSG Larry Caldwell — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:21:45 -0400

We had the Stetson and Spurs. Isn't that distinction enough?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:26 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 03:26:25 -0400

No tab, it's an MOS.......

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 1:27 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:27:36 -0400

The stetsons and spurs should be enough. Tab and beret? I don't think so.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 2:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 14:39:01 -0400

Ummmm......no. Here's why:

A Tab designates and implies a specialized force. Airborne: They jump out of planes. Does your average scout jump out of planes? No.
Ranger: The Infantry "elite" ( <--- that's going to piss some people off). Does your average scout spend the majority of his time hiking through shit terrain and kicking in doors to shoot people in the face? No. Are they used as road fodder for CAG? No.
Special Forces: The Army Teaching Elite, and Unconventional Warfare experts. Does your Average scout do ANYTHING on their level? No.

Being a scout, while something to be proud of (the inner Grunt in me is puking at that), it does not make you special enough to warrant a Tab.

Unless y'all want a pretty pink glittery Tab. THAT would make sense!

Response by SPC Joshua Smith made Feb 12 at 2017 11:16 AM

SPC Joshua Smith — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 11:16:51 -0500

the cavalry has payed dearly in blood serving this country in every major war and then some. the cavalry paved the way for settling the west of course we cavalry men deserve our own tab and beret.

Response by SPC Joshua Smith made Feb 12 at 2017 11:38 AM

SPC Joshua Smith — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 11:38:32 -0500

yes we should have our own tab. every combat mos should have one. non combat mos no way. but I do agree though it should not be over the sf tab but under it

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made Feb 27 at 2017 11:05 AM

MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 11:05:03 -0500

I don't need a trophy for doing my job. This isn't brat soccer. LOL!

Response by MSG Michael Caldwell made Feb 27 at 2017 3:00 PM

MSG Michael Caldwell — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:00:39 -0500

Before I joined back in 1979, There were Cavalry units that had the Black Berets and the SF had theirs, and the Air Cavalry had Stetsons, and back in the day the SF didn't like it that the Cav had a Black Berets, so it was taken away, then GEN Sasaki gave all soldiers the Black Berets thinking it would build esprit de corps and we are still living with the discussion. So instead of trying to figure out how to spend soldiers money and the tax payers money, start thinking about how to properly train our lower enlisted so that they Can Be All They Can Be!

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Feb 27 at 2017 5:53 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 17:53:00 -0500

Having been cav, there is only one acceptable head dress. Stetson with cav sabers and appropriate hat band color

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 27 at 2017 8:14 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:14:57 -0500

And everyone should get a trophy, no matter if they win or not? Poor babies feel left out? Get real!!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 26 at 2018 7:51 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 19:51:22 -0400

NO- that is what caused the beret problem long ago and only SF kept their berets!! Grunts' other MOS's do not get tabs/Berets of different colors. Units do (ABN/RGR/SF) not MOS's

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 6:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:23:06 -0400

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made Aug 28 at 2018 12:38 AM

SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:38:49 -0400

Scouts wore berets once upon a time

Response by SGT Jack Holcomb made Jun 9 at 2020 8:22 PM

SGT Jack Holcomb — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:22:04 -0400

Scouts have a long and rich history. We’re not just another MOS. We are put in front of all other forces in battle. We need a recon tab

IF YOU AINT CAV