I know the stetson is not an official part of the uniform and is only authorized for wear in CAV units. What I am wondering is can a CAV command require all soldiers in that unit to have a stetson?

No.

No unit can require a soldier to posses something that is not a required part of the uniform.

Unless you count the 82d and their PT shirts.

quote:

Originally posted by hit_it:
No.

No unit can require a soldier to posses something that is not a required part of the uniform.

They can if they either pay for it or issue it to you.

The closest thing I have seen is a commander's letter concerning a dining in where he said "If you have a Stetson, wear it". You are not required to have one though.

I like to use the term "highly recommended" in cases like this.

Do I HAVE to wear a stetson? No, but it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Do I HAVE to go buy jump boots since they don't issue them? No, but it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Do I HAVE to shave my sideburns because the 82nd CSM doesn't like them? No, but it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Do I have to belong to the 82nd/1st Cav association? No, but it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

When I tell Soldiers something is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, it's usually means I'll find strange and exotic ways to waste their time and otherwise torture them unless they do as I ask.

its funny that people always whine in a cav unit about wearing the stetson or spurs but i have never in my 20 yrs heard anyone whine about having to go to a stable call if it meant they got out of work early

One of the reasons the 82nd lost their Berets in the late 70s, was the Troopers had to buy them. We were only authorized Berets or Steel Pots in formations. If you didn't have a beret, you wore the steel pot. A beret was $7.95, not really a big deal.

BUT, the 1st Cav was requiring Soldiers to buy Stetsons(close to $100), Leather Belts, the Brass US Buckles and Spurs. Same deal, Stetson or steel pot.

General Bernard Rogers took away all such distinctive headgear and accoutrements as soon as he became COS.

They only returned, under General "Shy" Myers, when they became issue items.

If your a grunt, your CO and 1sg and the LT's and maybe a SFC or two might wear them for ceremonies, balls, CoC, or important fomrations. The tankers and scouts like to wear them, but believe me, if your an infantryman at the rank at the paygrade of e6 or below... believe me you will notbe out of place in a beret, in fact you'll probably get sh-it from others for having spent over $100 and uch more for the all the pin ons... that and our a grunt and it just looks kind of rediculous. Let the tankers and scouts rock their spurs and stetson... if you have an EIB or CIB on your chest in at the event... YOU ALREADY KNOW WHATS UP

I cannot seem to find wear status for stetsons, in AR 670-1.

quote:

Originally posted by 101AASLT:
I cannot seem to find wear status for stetsons, in AR 670-1.

look in traditions part. its not real clear there is a general guideline out there but we just kind of make crap up that works for us

So, do the 227th Aviation guys in the 1st Cav wear stetsons?

yep everyone in the 1st Air Cav BDE can wear them. I spent 4 years in 1-227 and we wore them. I am at the ASB now and we wear them more there than we did in 1st bat. 670-1 doesnt mention the Stetson other than it being a traditional Cap. However the unit will put out an MOI or and Memorandum of Intent(?) forgot the I. That governs the wear. For 1st Cav it is something about the color cords by rank. cross sabers or branch insignia with rank above it. DUI on the back and anything think else tasteful on the sides. What is done it that we put everything extra and cool on the back