Talk:Order of the Spur

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[edit] Types of Spurs

What source is this information taken from, specifically the "wear and appearance of Stetsons and Spurs"? There is no Army-wide reg dealling with spurs, only local regs. For instance, many styles of spurs are authorized, not just the "prince of Wales" spur. -- 72.178.133.52

I posted most the material on this entry, but I am by no means a cavalry expert. If anyone has more knowledge on this matter please modify this entry. (Atfyfe 23:07, 13 April 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Foreign Armies

Hi all, great article this is, but i would like to add 2 comments:

The order of the spur has also been given to foreign armies troopers. I recieved mine (German Bundeswehr 5th Armored Recce Btl.) in 1992 from (former) 3rd Sqd/11th ACR and remember the (autumn) ride to be the most challenging/exhaustive/daring time in my life. We recieved spurs (but no Stetson naturally).

The photo doesnt show "Prince of Wales" type spurs but a more "regional" variety?

Gretings to all, --Allons! 17:14, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Absolutely correct. Many troopers today grew up on Spaghetti Westerns and prefer a more western spur. I happen to wear Prince of Wales. --Born2flie 12:08, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Stetsons

As an Order of the Spur (Combat) holder, and present trooper in the U.S. Army's Cavalry, I have removed the erroneous Stetson information from this article. Stetsons are authorized to be worn by all Cavalry troopers upon assignment to a Cavalry unit, barring that the prerequisite "wetting" or "christening" ceremony has been accomplished. They are not conditional upon award of the Order of the Spur, and therefore, not a legitimate part of this article. --Born2flie 12:06, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Removed material about the stetson:

In the modern U.S. military, the tradition of wearing the stetson (which then grew into the order of the spur) is often credited to LTC John B. Stockton (Commander of the 3d of the U.S. 17th Cavalry Regiment) at Fort Benning, Georgia in early 1964. The hat was adopted in an effort to increase esprit de corps in the new air cavalry squadron and was meant to emulate the look of the 1876 pattern campaign hat worn by cavalry troopers long ago. Once units deployed to Vietnam, the custom slowly spread to other air cavalry units, and by the cessation of hostilities, virtually all cavalry units had adopted the cavalry stetson.
Cords for the cavalry stetson come in branch colors, here are some examples.
Cords for the cavalry stetson come in branch colors, here are some examples.
The cavalry hat was a private purchase item that cost a wallet-stretching $29 in 1972. It was most often supplied by the Stetson Hat Company. Because Stetson supplied most of the hats, the name "Stetson" became interchangeable with cavalry hat. However, the tradition does not call for name brand stetsons. While unit commanders did not mandate the wearing of the hats, there was considerable peer pressure to conform, and most troopers quickly added the cavalry hat to their wardrobes.
Members of B-2 /17th cavalry further garnished their stetsons with the addition of a beaded "Indian" hatband and feather; D-3/5th cavalry appears to be the only unit that wore gray cavalry stetsons. When D-3/5th Cavalry exchanged designations with C-3/17th CAV in 1971, C-3/17th carried on the "Light Horse" tradition of gray cavalry stetsons. There were also instances in which several troops of different squadrons wore the distinctive red and white background trimming-commonly referred to as a jump wing oval-on the front of the stetson. This oval was authorized for 1/17th CAV, a non-air cavalry squadron of the 82nd Airborne Division, located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
In several units, a "wetting down" ceremony was conducted, during which the newbies were accepted as members of the cavalry troop. Before they could wear their hats, however, they were required to "chug-a-lug" a hatful of cold beer. An obvious less rigorous predecessor to the contemporary spur ride.
The cap braid (or "cap cord") is a tradition born from the 1858 service hat, which had branch-colored cords for enlisted personnel, black and metallic gold for commissioned officers, and gold for general officers. Today, it is often falsly assumed (and even codified in unit regulations), that enlisted soldiers always wear yellow braids on their stetsons. In actuality, since the cavalry stetson is most commonly worn by soldiers in the cavalry branch, yellow is simply the most common color worn. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Atfyfe (talk • contribs)

[edit] Branch Specific

I am confused. If an 11B is attached to a cavalry unit can that person get spurs? I was thinking that was something 19D could be awarded. Thanks. --BenWoodruff 22:21, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

Spurs can be awarded regardless of MOS. - Atfyfe 23:09, 30 January 2007 (UTC)
Thanks. That is good to know. --BenWoodruff 03:35, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] uncited material

What is the source for the historical claims in this article, there is no source listed. Every "spur book" simply repetes the same story and no source is cited. It sounds like a good story but, is that all it is? 84.254.189.64 03:13, 4 June 2007 (UTC)Nate

[edit] Rank Insignia on Stetson

In the Wear of Cavalry Stetson and Spurs section, it says, "Rank will be worn 1/8" from the bottom of the sabers, centered." Shouldn't that be 1/8" from the top of the sabers? FireHorse 17:16, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

The order of rank and sabers is specific to the unit, as well as the wear of additional items on the stetson. --Born2flie 07:19, 6 October 2007 (UTC)