Who all can earn a Cavalry Stetson?

Cadet CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 16:15:53 -0400

If you are an armor officer then does that qualify you go go on a spur ride to receive your Stetson/silver spurs? Or do you have to be specifically assigned to a cav unit within the armor branch?
I have researched this extensively but was confused because technically armor took the place of cavalry as a branch-I think. I’m just in my 2nd year of rotc was was researching branches. Thanks!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 8 at 2018 4:24 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 08 May 2018 16:24:18 -0400

Look farther into some of the threads on RP, you should get the answer you're looking for.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 4:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 16:27:33 -0400

Ask MAJ James Woods but maybe these guys know too... LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CSM Charles Hayden SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 4:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 16:34:17 -0400

while assigned to a cavalry unit you can wear a stetson (with appropriate cord), you have to earn your spurs. Units will have a guideline on the wear and appearance of your stetson

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 8 at 2018 5:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 May 2018 17:15:46 -0400

Strictly Armor officers are not entitled to the Stetson and spurs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 7:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 19:04:14 -0400

It's ultimately similar to organizational headgear. Anyone in a cavalry unit can wear one. Spurs are earned, either through a spur ride or combat.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 8 at 2018 7:31 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 08 May 2018 19:31:51 -0400

The stetson isn't really earned. It is commonly accepted that if you belong to a cavalry unit that you can usually wear the stetson with your appropriately colored acorns. What is earned are your combat knots on the acorn rope. Also, spurs are earned via deployments with the Cav or Spur Rides.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 10:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 22:59:56 -0400

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2018 7:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 May 2018 07:25:45 -0400

You will wear the Stetson only when assigned to a Cavalry unit, which includes Cavalry Squadrons within all BCT formations, Cavalry Regiments, and the 1st Cavalry Division. There are two types of Spurs, Silver and Gold. Silver Spurs are earned by completion of a Spur Ride event with your unit, and Gold Spurs are earned as "Combat Spurs" by completing a deployment with a Cavalry Organization.

They are all unofficial awards, and are governed by local policies and not by Army Regulations.

Response by SSG Marshall Paul made May 12 at 2018 4:00 AM

SSG Marshall Paul — Sat, 12 May 2018 04:00:30 -0400

I was an SSG in 49th Armor, in a mech infantry company. I would have liked wearing a traditional Ivy cap.

Response by SGT Kenneth Jones made May 12 at 2018 7:17 AM

SGT Kenneth Jones — Sat, 12 May 2018 07:17:23 -0400

I was in 3/7 Cav. You couldn't wear a Stetson unless you had spurs.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 12:18 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 May 2018 12:18:16 -0400

I’m an 11A assigned to a CAV Squadron and I wear my Stetson and Spurs. I earned my spurs during a Spur ride, no one not even Cav officers may wear them until they are earned. However, often times 19 series soldiers have a tradition of not wearing the Stetson before you wear your spurs. However when I reported to the CAV unit the SCO said all officers better be wearing your Stetson. The Stetson also is not technically 670-1 , it’s a tradition there’s no technically doctrine for it.

Secondly, no the “Armor Branch” did not replace the Cavalry. Armor and Cav are essentially the same Officers but with different mission sets. Because we have 19D (CAV Scouts) we need Cavalry Officers (19A) to lead them on the Recon missions. 19A can also be Assigned to Tank Platoons or ABCTs. Depending on what their first duty station assigned is what determines whether they wear the tank pins or the crosses sabers. But all Armor officers will wear their Stetsons , I have fellow Officers who are Tanks PLs at ABCTs and wear their Stetsons and do spur tides as well.

Thirdly, Cadet , future warning never , ever tell an Cavalry Officer the Armor branch took over the place of it them.

Response by SPC Kendall Metcalf made May 16 at 2018 11:02 AM

SPC Kendall Metcalf — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:02:20 -0400

Depending on the squadron you have to earn you Steson. Across the board you still have to earn you spurs.

Response by 1LT Jeff Holland made Jun 21 at 2018 11:33 AM

1LT Jeff Holland — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 11:33:32 -0400

I "earned" the stetson when my "six actual" ask where the fu_k my stetson was. Good example of command guidance. Good luck with your career Cadet Cole.

Response by SPC Kendall Metcalf made Jun 21 at 2018 8:23 PM

SPC Kendall Metcalf — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:23:47 -0400

Some units do require you to earn the right to wear a Steson. It’s usually a unit history test

Response by PV2 Ricky Moore II made Feb 20 at 2019 9:09 PM

PV2 Ricky Moore II — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 21:09:10 -0500

I was told by my unit that the Stetson and rope was the reward I would get for graduating basic training and AIT. They told me that I was not allowed to wear Spurs until after I had survived my first deployment while serving honorably.

At least that's how we did it in the 124th cavalry. Sadly I never got to earn my spurs as I was permanently injured in my pre-deployment train up. Giving me an honorable medical, even the adjutant general's individual award, but never earning those Spurs.

You got to earn them kid. You got to earn then knots in your rope too. If you don't, any soldier worth their salt would consider it stolen valor.