The Legacy of the Calvary Stetson Hat

From time to time, we at Olmec Reflections like to do personal pieces about the owner and interests. Being right around Memorial Day, we’ve decided to cover the interesting background of the Calvary Stetson hat and why it means so much to the owner of this company, Don Boling. We hope you enjoy and maybe learn something or if you’ve served, it jogs your military memory!

I served in the army for 21 years as a maintenance technician. The role took me from Maryland to Cincinnati and then all the way to Germany and Korea. I have very fond memories of his time serving. One of those memories is that of having the honor to own a Calvary Stetson hat.

Background

Before John B. Stetson came along, of whom the hat is named after, cavalrymen in the late 18th century into the 19th century typically sported the style. In 1865 Stetson introduced the Boss of the Plains hat. It became an unofficial standard.

During Vietnam, it was the most distinctive item worn by air cavalrymen. At that time the Stetson company supplied most of the hats, so the name “Stetson” became interchangeable with Cav hat. There were knockoffs, but none rose to the workmanship of a true Stetson.

Today

Though, unauthorized, the Stetson has been revived as unofficial headgear for the sake of morale in the Cavalry for the United States Army. They are not authorized by AR670-1, so the regulation to wear one is similar to wearing spurs by the unit commander.

To serve in a Calvary unit you must be inducted into the Order of the Spur. This is when you successfully have served during combat as a member of a Calvary unit or complete a “Spur Ride”.A “Spur Ride” is a series of mental and physical tests relevant to the Calvary. These tests will evaluate tactical and technical proficiency, team work during high fatigue and stress situations, and leadership skills.

When you obtain a Stetson, you cannot wear it right away. You must go through a ceremony to “break it in”, a sort of rite of passage. This is where the inductee holds the hat upside down, and the senior spur holders pour mixtures of different alcohols into the hat. Click here to read about the ceremony in detail.

Don’s Experience in the Calvary

I wanted to differentiate himself from the everyday soldier. One of the paths I choose was “The Order of the Spur”. I was dedicated to get as much training and education as possible. I found this opportunity was available during my time in the Calvary. I completed a week-long “Spur Ride” in Fort Hood, TX in the middle of a sweltering summer. I was in the 1/7 Calvary Division. Today, I am preserving my Stetson Hat as part of my military uniform.

In honor of those that served in the 1st Cavalry Division, I leave you with The Cavalry’s Poem,

“Fiddlers’ Green”:

Halfway down the trail to Hell in a shady meadow green,

are the Souls of all dead troopers camped near a good old-time canteen,

and this eternal resting place is known as Fiddlers’ Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell, the Infantry are seen,

accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marine,

for none but the shades of Cavalrymen dismount at Fiddlers’ Green.

Though some go curving down the trail to seek a warmer scene,

no trooper ever gets to Hell ere he’s emptied his canteen

and so rides back to drink again with friends at Fiddlers’ Green.

And so when man and horse go down beneath a saber keen,

or in a roaring charge fierce melee you stop a bullet clean,

and the hostiles come to get your scalp,

just empty your canteen and put your pistol to your head

and go to Fiddlers’ Green.