The Army's Cavalry Hat 

As an 11B who spent several years assigned to a cavalry regiment I keep my Stetson proudly displayed on my wall with my saber and spurs (gold & silver), albeit with a blue cord and acorns. 🤣 Allons!!!!!

One of the members of Henry Dodge's dragoons was my cousin Nathanial Boone, who is one of Daniel Boone's kids. Ironically, I ended up In 1/1 Cav in Buedingen, Germany as my first duty station as a 19 Detail. The 1858 Hardee Hat is the original cowboy hat that inspired the Boss of the Plains Stetson. William Hardee, Jefferson Davis, were both in the Mexican American war of the 1840s with 1/1 Cav, and they most likely appropriated the hat from Mexican Lancers headgear. Hardee was supposedly commissioned to go to Europe when the Crimean war was going on, and that is where he was supposed to have got the design from, but I think the Lancer hat is where the Hardee Hat originally came from. It was a very practical design for campaigns in "The Great Desert." Cool video. The Cav Hat is great info and is something I will tuck away for use at a later date. Thanks for the video.

My uncle was in the US Army horse cavalry starting in 1938...In 1941 they were slated to go to the Philippines when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He ended up in North Africa and Europe in an armed reconnaissance unit.

The cavalry gets the glory, the infantry eats the dust. If you ain’t cav…, you ain’t…😎😂

I was in the First Team in the mid 80s- never seen a cab hat worn- our first Sargent had a Calvary saber he’d have it out waving it around, “knighting” soldiers with it. Getting everyone one hyped up, when we went out to NTC (national training center)

It's not a "Cavalry hat". It's called a campaign hat. And was issued to all soldiers, infantry, artillery, cavalry as well as all other branches of the army. As for the "drill sergeant hat"? That was the last of the campaign hats that the army ever issued. It's known as the Montana peak campaign hat.

The steson makes a comeback! Prtty mych all Army CAV Unts are authorized to wear it now!

Funny thing is the infantry in the west wore a Hardee dress uniform hat for in the field in the mid to late 1860s.

I was an Armor HHC Cdr in Iraq and as part of our redeployment home, we transitioned to a Cav Sqn. I was a renegade even as a CPT so i authorized everyone in the unit to wear a stetson even though the Sqn Cdr had not authorized it yet. I even published a MOI for it. I set the example for others to follow. Eventually, after several months, the Sqn Cdr finally authorized it for the entire Sqn and most everyone was wearing one. I love the stetson as a unique as well as practical headgear. Keeps out the sun and rain and keeps the head warm in winter.

This was a fun video. I have photos of my father in the army of the 30’s (need to hurry up with that sort of shorthand expression) wearing what was then referred to as the campaign hat. I used to play around wearing it (along with his Sam Browne belt) as a kid. One of my career desires - fulfilled over 32 years - was never, despite being an armor officer, to have to wear that hat. Did have to wear western-type neckerchiefs in the 6th ACR in the 50’s, but the hat had yet to catch on, thank God.

Been over 40 yrs but still have my Stetson, spurs and saber in a display case in my office!

CAVALRY SCOUT 19D, in the 1980's, M-113 APC was our horse 🐎🐎🐎

My dad was 1st Cav and I never have seen any photos of him wearing that hat. I do recall him telling me of some of the old Sargent's going ashore in the Philistines carrying saddles?

My great great uncle is burried at Ft Sam Houston. He served in the Cavalry at several West Tx posts. As a teen, he was a furrier, later a mule skinner on supply wagons, then a Cav soldier. He retired as a Sgt Maj.

Omg, that is such an awesome story! I loved it! ❤

I wore mine in Baghdad

Excellent story telling and background. Thanks.

As a Soldier currently assigned to Ft Cavazos (formerly Ft Hood) I found this video really interesting! I knew the lineage hearkened back to the horse cavalry (I'm a huge John Wayne/Western Cavalry film fan) but I didn't know about the approval process and always assumed the Stetson was adopted at the highest levels due to tradition and respect. Can't believe it was a literal battle of the wills! HAHAHA, gotta love the Army. "If you can't get rid of it, hammer it in!"

I watched both this video and the one on berets. The Air Force is currently facing the same thing over boonie hats. The troops in the sun want them and the brass hates them. One base in south Texas recently approved it for wear with the the ABU (or whatever the current work/combat uniform is called) due to the its popularity and it’s better sun protection. At the same time however Nellis AFB in Nevada denied the same request. I expect the movement is gaining momentum though and is inevitable. I hope so: the Beetle Bailey cap always sucked. The M.T.I.s called the issue cap a “sunburn hat.”

The Continental Congress actually authorized cavalry units. Yes very limited cavalry was authorized periodically. He is right that the first permanent cavalry was finally formed in the q830s.

Cool video! I earned a Cav hat at 6-6 Cav. I always cringe when people pronounce it Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. I actually got called before an instructor in flight school for writing a scathing critique on his saying Calvary for the Cavalry block of instruction. I have a question. The two officers you refer to in the video and have pictures of one is an Army officer, and one is in a Navy uniform? Additionally, after retiring, I was an Army contractor. One of the units I assisted had hard hats, required on vehicles on the flight line, made to look like a Cav hat. I loved that!

Member of the Order of St George and Order of Golden Spur. 19K and 19A.

Love it, two company grades establishing a tradition! Those two CPTs knew how to both please their Soldiers and their battalion commander. Stockton should have taken a cav hat to the CG. You cannot refuse a gift easily, rspecially when it's offered with "My troops love this hat and want you to have one." Still have my Stetson and love it.

Retired SCOUT (24yrs) here, it is Not a hat IT'S A STETSON! GARRY OWENS, OUT FRONT! Always remember "IF YOU AIN'T CAV, YOU AIN'T $#IT!" 😂

You might find this funny but As a UAV pilot I received both my silver and gold spurs. Some how when I was in Iraq we had some Air cave warent officers atached to my platoon at camp Taji in Iraq they gave us a very abbreviated spur ride. After PCSing to Fort Lewis I deployed with 8-1 CAV thus receiving my gold spurs.

What is very unique to the U.S. Army? Is "regulations", "laws", "customs" and "traditions". None of which! Are the same, right, or wrong. American Soldiers/Citizens, "Disobeying laws" and "regulations"... Is what mostly started the war, that made us a "Sovereign Nation"! .... I "earned" my "Gold Spurs", and my right to wear them, and "The Stetson". If I'm so inclined. Which I am not. Very good and useful hat though! I was never a "U.S. Marine". So I don't need a "title" or have any "bumper sticker". I'm just an American. I have the "spurs" and a "hat", ... to prove it! "This we'll Defend"!

Probabilly few know that, shortly after the end of the mexican war, the army issued shakos to replace the 1833 service cap, from what I read it was universally despised by either soldiers and officers, so, expecially those garrisoned in the hot climate of the west, started to wear felt hats. Then, before the ACW arrived the first real cavalry hat, the so called Hardee, and expecially in the west, during the civil war, more and more soldiers started to like and wear felt hats.

6:31 Lt. Colonel Kilgore

In 83-84 I did a tour in Korea with D Troop 4/7 Cav. At that time only officers were allowed to wear the Stetson. It could be worn while in uniform but only 'off duty' or during special events. I just opened my year book and there isn't a single photo of anybody wearing one. I would have to think it was just too impractical, not to mention spendy as a non-issued item, to be worn everyday. They are cool though. 🫡 Garry Owen!

I was 11th ACR, and we were allowed to participate in the Hat and Spurs problem. Combat or an established course in peacetime. I know we were allowed the Stetson, but understood our Official Cav Hat was the campaign hat. I reckon that has to do with the establishment of the 11th ACR. Post Stetson.

🤠proud to have been Air Cav in my Army career.

The US had light cavalry until the Tank Corps and the Armor Branch. That was the beginning of Heavy Cavalry in the US Army. Before we had formal Cavalry (they were Dragons) we had Cavalry units in the Revolution ("Lighthorse" Harry Lee) and The War of 1812 (President Buchanan, our only NCO President, served in the War of 1812 in a Cavlary unit)

The Philadelphia Horse Troop dates crack to 1777.

AR-670-1 also did not provide for the wear of cavalry brass, only armor brass. Yet, I knew of no Cav Scouts that wore armor brass on their Class A uniform. Maybe for their DA picture, but not routinely. At least as routinely such field rats ever wore their Class A's anyway, rather than just displaying it in a locker.

I hold the Order of St. Barbara and the Order of St. George. I served in the 1st CAV between 1990 and 1994. I never bought a "Cav Hat."

You better do a little more research into the history of the American revolution as a certain Gen. Casmir Pulaski is know as the "father of the American Cavalry" Mounted formations were not as hoc in the early days of the US Army.

Thank you!

If I'm on the back of a horse, I'm wearing a helmet-- if it's good enough for cops, jockeys and equestrians, it's good enough for the US Army.

3 ACR Blood & Steel , AyeeAh !

1833 is not the first official mounted units- they were not "ad hoc" during the revolution or before 1833. The Continental Congress authorized dragoons in 1776 and got up to 4 dragoon regiments in the Continental Army, plus mounted units in the mixed Legions. Remember also that the early American military was highly militia based. So you also have the state raised units during the revolution. But more importantly, after the Revolution, the army was almost entirely state militias. We have to remember that, unlike today, the standing Regular Army was a token force of full time soldiers and the state controlled militia units was the primary force. The Second Militia Acts of 1792 required every state to have dragoons. They had to have at least one troop of horse and one company of artillery for every battalion of infantry (which was based on population) but not more than 9% of the state forces could be artillery and dragoons. Within the Regular US Army, the Congress raised a Squadron of Light Sragoons in 1792. A Regiment of Light Dragoons was authorized in 1808 and a second in 1812 with both serving in the War of 1812. They were disbanded after the war to save costs (token Regular Army and small standing army). Stetsons arent only authorized through that MOI. Other units outside 1CD have their own momoranda or orders. And various versions of AR670-1 over the years have also addressed them- generally as optional "organizational" items. I.e. at times the language of the AR was broad enough to include Stetsons and spurs when authorized by commanders.

The CAV hat is cool AF!

Garryowen!

Been a insurance broker for years. But somehow can relate to that black hearted Bureaucrat

So it's an EO that is traditionally continued each change of command? Very interesting story! Thanks!

When my daughter gets married in august I will be wearing my Stetson as a prior cav guy ( retired now )

Interesting! Where do the 4 Continental Dragoon Regiments fit into this? As I understand, they were used as scouts, couriers, as well as actually conducting charges.

Why the pic of the naval officer?

Can you make a video on the AGR program please!

If you ain't Cav, you ain't...........

As a Paratrooper, I wore my beret with pride...foreign or not, its tradition amongst paratroopers. After 9/11 a co-worker that was in a marine reserve unit out of San Antonio deployed with said unit. He sent word back requesting black cowboy hats for his men...cause they were from TX. I had to explain to my other coworker who was attempting to find some hats...and is a marine fanboy...that the Army still had troops that wore Stetsons...and they would likely take serious offense to this. They never got those hats..

The only beurocrat I can stand.

It's a Cover, not a Hat!!

At least it's Functional! Helps keep the rain and sun off you! And it's American! Unlike the (berret) That is of French origin.?

I am remembering that there were no CSMs in the time of the story of the hat. I went in 65, and I am thinking CSMs were later. Woolridge was MSG when I was in RVN in 67.

Chuck doesn't respond like all RU-vidrs

ITS kav-uhl-ree NOT kal-vuh-ree. You automatically lose all creditably because of it. The first is a mobile Army unit The second is as a open air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Proud to say I did a Spur Ride for Silver and payed my dues for Gold Spurs and my Stetson 🫡🇺🇸