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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!
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!
Posted in these groups: 
Cavalry
19A: Armor Officer
Cavalry 19A: Armor Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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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.
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SSgt Jay Watson
The spurs are also earned by USAF assigned to direct support to Cav units. I do have my stetson & spurs to wear my entire life.
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SSgt Jay Watson
SSgt Jay Watson - Plus a few medals from the Army. The issue with the Spurs are Single or Married. Up or Down. Mine are still up.
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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.
They are all unofficial awards, and are governed by local policies and not by Army Regulations.
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MSG Thomas Currie
That last sentence is the key to any discussion about stetsons and spurs -- they are governed by local policies -- which are different in different units and which change from time to time, often without any formal publication.
Sometimes a Bde or Div commander will just say NO and all that "cav" stuff disappears until the next commander takes over.
The 1st "Cavalry" Division has a rather extensive detailed policy on the topic. Some Cav units copy/paste parts of it or just refer to it.
Sometimes a Bde or Div commander will just say NO and all that "cav" stuff disappears until the next commander takes over.
The 1st "Cavalry" Division has a rather extensive detailed policy on the topic. Some Cav units copy/paste parts of it or just refer to it.
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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
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SGT (Join to see)
Yes, this. I never did this. But when I was in the Squadron Aid Station for HHT 1/3 ACR, one or two other medics went to some 3-day thing to earn their spurs withe regiment. Obviously, being medics, they weren't Cav MOS, but we were assigned to Cav unit.
Also, Ai-EE-yah!
Also, Ai-EE-yah!
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SPC (Join to see)
So what are the appropriate cords? Long ago I was Brave Troop 1/10 Cav. Ready and Forward, then 3 ACR came to town, and I joined Lightning Troop Thunder Squadron 3 ACR Brave Rifles.
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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.
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Ask MAJ James Woods but maybe these guys know too... LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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MAJ James Woods
Cadet CPL (Join to see) As long as you're assigned to a Cavalry unit that conducts the prestigious Spur Ride where you can earn your silver spurs; that's all that matters. Oh and that you successfully complete the Spur Ride; the moment you fall out or give up, you're disqualified. You earn your gold spurs from combat.
You only have to be assigned to a Cav unit to be allowed to wear a Stetson; wasn't MOS specific at all. The scouts, mortars, medics, cooks, pilots, mechanics all had Stetsons but you've got to earn your spurs. Now I was 4/7 CAV Armored Air Div. Cavalry before they were re-designated an Armored Reconnaissance Squadron and lost their Kiowa 58D Air Cav Troops.
One more thing, being armored cavalry meant we couldn't stand those AH-64 attack AVN squadrons that labeled themselves cavalry and wore the Stetson.
You only have to be assigned to a Cav unit to be allowed to wear a Stetson; wasn't MOS specific at all. The scouts, mortars, medics, cooks, pilots, mechanics all had Stetsons but you've got to earn your spurs. Now I was 4/7 CAV Armored Air Div. Cavalry before they were re-designated an Armored Reconnaissance Squadron and lost their Kiowa 58D Air Cav Troops.
One more thing, being armored cavalry meant we couldn't stand those AH-64 attack AVN squadrons that labeled themselves cavalry and wore the Stetson.
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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.
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Look farther into some of the threads on RP, you should get the answer you're looking for.
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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.
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.
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Some units do require you to earn the right to wear a Steson. It’s usually a unit history test
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Depending on the squadron you have to earn you Steson. Across the board you still have to earn you spurs.
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