Major Ned B. Ricks - The Cavalry Stetson Explained

[@pallidustigris]

D 7/17 Air Cav (1976) - Yes, I recall the handlebar mustaches of our Cobra Pilots, the Stetson hats, the "U.S." belt buckles, yellow or white and red scarfs, and the leather Cav Boots. Can't be a Cavalry Trooper (Air or Ground) if you could not drink a Stetson Hat full of bier non-stop to the last drop. Rendering a salute with the words "Air Cav Sir" was just an awesome feeling of brotherhood like no other. Screaming as loud as we could "If you ain't Cav, you ain't shit" PRICELESS!

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service!

[@towdjumper5]

Great stuff!!! “AATW”.as an Airborne paratrooper, I always respected the soldiers with the Stetsons’ and they looked sharp in their Dress Blues. I retired and live in DeLand Florida where Stetson University is. Stetson Hatters #1.Great video!

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service!

[@robinbellamy]

Thank you for you video. I enjoyed it. I was a Calvary Scout in the 1990s. At that time, soldiers assigned to Cavalry units were only authorized to wear Stetsons if the successfully completed a Spur Ride and were awarded spurs. I completed a spur ride, but I never bought a Stetson. Stetsons were expensive and were only worn during special occasions.

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service!

[@markwaters7215]

That’s very interesting and informative , thankyou for your service , regards from the uk

[@mdm6098]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@edmundgonzalez8731]

Even though it was peace time, I take great pride in saying that in 83-84 I did a tour in Korea with D Troop 4/7 Cav. Garry Owen Sir!

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service!

[@biknjak]

Great video! It's nice to hear "C-A-V-A-L-R-Y" vs "C-A-L-V-A-R-Y" like most people say it. People also can't say "veterinarian" (vetinarian)😬

[@captaincoconut8967]

Cool I never knew that all this had meaning thank you so much for pointing this out great video 👍🇺🇸

[@jimmyjs8907]

Thank you for the video and thank you for your service, sir!

[@eugeneharrelson3933]

As a Marine there are certain units in the other branches that I was in awe of. Air Calve was one of

[@stevenkirby7478]

Welcome home, sir.

[@johncourt6434]

History = His story. Great video

[@tedmartin5178]

Very well done and accurate. Thanks! Ready and Forward!

[@michaelcagle4662]

One of my Fathers most treasured mementos from his 32 year career. Command Sargent Major Howard B. Cagle.

[@theoldgrowler3489]

A shout-out from one of Norwich University's "Old Guard" '74!

[@popnmeg]

Excellent 👍

[@johnmarten4184]

I was in the 1st Armored Division when it was re-labeled the 1st Cavalry Division, the elements of our new patch were explained thusly; the horse we'll never ride, the river we'll never cross, and (pointing to the yellow background) this is the reason why.

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service! If you ever want to do an interview, feel free to shoot us an email.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

I will be wearing my Stetson when I walk my daughter down the aisle when she gets married

[@SPFDRum]

As you should!

[@christheCTguy9]

spot on . thank u sir

[@MrDeancoote]

Many thanks. Read the book chicken Hawk it sits high on my book case. Did the Air cavalry carry swords/ sabres ?

[@joebowen5711]

The first Stetson cords were Gold for officers, Silver for Warrant Officers and Yellow for enlisted. The change of cord colors to what Nick is showing happened some years after the war -I don't know the specific year but my 1972 Stetson had a gold cord.

[@shmoo7826]

I agree. I have my hat from 1970 and the cord is gold.

[@DontMeanNothin]

We appreciate your service! If you're ever interested in doing an interview, email us anytime.

[@dw7094]

Yeah, there were a lot of changes after the war. The powers-that-be saw fit to institutionalize the "stetson" Back in the day, Warranr Officers were mavericks in that we fashioned our own stetsons. WO's chose the western cavalry stetson, not the horseman stetson. WO branch insignia instead of crossed sabers, and wings were affixed under rank. Our cords were silver, just like the piping on our garrison caps. Unless you're an attack pilot, there are a host of other units you can be assigned to other than cav. Army wide, cav is a real small billet.

[@tankman7711]

I have the exact same Stetson! I seem to have to correct those that have never earned their Spurs...its a Stetson not a Cowboy hat. LTGEN Hal Moore is from Bardstown, Kentucky!

[@AdrianSams]

As a Brit I found this fascinating.I read Hal Moore and Jim Galloway's book "We were soldiers once and young" and I found it better than the Movie which was a great movie. All the best From England.

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thanks for watching!

[@4catsnow]

And as a Brit you should remember Market Garden,,,when Montgomery went looking for trouble ,,, and found it in Holland.. This "We were soldiers" thing was a heroic Hollywood tribute to a real event that came really close to being the 1965 version of Custer's Last Stand.

[@AdrianSams]

@@4catsnow I'm fully aware of that but thanks anyway.

[@4catsnow]

@@AdrianSams Faulty intel and lack of situational awareness...Holland or the Il Drang valley...Bad things always happen..but these cavalry guys had nice hats...

[@williamking951]

2nd of the 7th Air mobile Inf... We were the troopers the choopers were just the horses that got us in and out . Great respect for what our horses did for us. Gary Owen Sir

[@ShaneKilpatrick-i4t]

Great concept. Calvary always comes to the assistance of Infantry. So it was in Vietnam. Angels of Mercy, Angels of Death.

[@santamanone]

Ironic (or maybe fitting) that it evolved from campaign hat since that hat I turn evolved from the earlier cavalry slouch hat.

[@jeffreyhansen2806]

I was in 1st/21st Arty, 1st Cav from Oct '68 to Oct '69. At that time the Cav did not issue the Jungle (Boonie) Hat to its personnel. We were forbidden to even acquire them on our own. To shield them from the sun some guys made hats out of sand bags or wore a helmet liner. Those Stetsons were strictly an aviation thing.

[@jasonroberts8408]

I also served with 1/10 Cav Buffalo soldiers, but in Iraq. It's my favorite unit i served with.

[@Tom-t8f]

Major Rick's , the Army stetson is the coolest cover .

[@brucedewitt1711]

As a dependent living overseas, I always thought the Calvary troops were the sharpest GI's you would see.

[@jwhiskey242]

Calvary is where Christ was crucified. Cavalry is an obsolete arm of the army.

[@Rocketman88002]

Welcome Home Trooper! "Brave Rifles, Sir" F Troop 2nd Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment FIST Fort Bliss, Texas.

[@armynurseboy]

Veterans!

[@GhostRider-sc9vu]

Lt. Col. Henry Emerson "The Gunfighter" of the 2nd Bn 502nd Inf. wore the Stetson with Pearl Handle revolvers in Viet Nam starting June of 1965 before the Ist Cav Div deployed to Nam. You did not say when Stockton started wearing the hat. Was very irritated when they took away the 101st Blue beret and again when they Stole the Black Beret from the Rangers, that is a different story. Had one of the first Maroon Berets in the 82nd as I finished Jump School and bought one in Benning before they were available in Bragg, my Bn being the first to receive them as they were deploying to Turkey for a joint exercise with the British and Turkish Abn. Strangely enough I transferred to the 101st the same month that they got the Blue Beret.

[@MarshallMcCrory]

B Co. 1/5 Proud alumni of the E-4 Mafia(YES....we do know things)also stood shoulder to shoulder with some damn good men WPNS PLT...... THE WILD BUNCH

[@markmclaughlin2690]

8th Cav Honor and Courage!

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

My Stetson (GWOT) is a prized possession.

[@scooter66133]

your hat looks more realistic then the more cowboy style hat of the movie character in apocalypse now. am i right ?

[@MidlandTexan]

Thank you.

[@billrichards.8426]

Maj Ricks, Thank you Greatly sir for this lesson in history. I had the Honor/Pleasure of serving stateside with Ssgt Freddie J. Owens (he was in the IaDrang, X-Ray, Albany. Have also been Blessed to have met, and spend a little time with Maj Bruce Crandell. Awesome men, brothers, warriors . My salute & respect to you one/all. SP/5 Richards.

[@thereverendcoyote]

There is a current Cav Reg that does not wear black stetsons. They instead wear coyote colored stetsons. That is the 11th Cav Reg. Who does the OPFOR mission at NTC.

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thanks for the insight!

[@dw7094]

As a 11th ACR alumni, I've visited the 11th at Irwin. They are CAV in name only.

[@thereverendcoyote]

True, there are many training brigades that there mission is not in line with there unit designation, Especially USAR.

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

E-5 SGT, M.S.Smith “Gunslinger” UH-1 Huey, M-60 Door Gunner (The man in the doorway) A Troop, 1st Squadron 9th Regiment 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) An Khe, Vietnam, 1969 “Get Some!” 🎖💜♠️🪖🇺🇸

[@gunsaway1]

I still have my Stetson from Vietnam. A troop, 317 air Cavalry.

[@DontMeanNothin]

We appreciate your service! If you ever want to do an interview, feel free to shoot us an email.

[@jrn8774]

A Troop 1/9 1966 RVN Headhunter 062B

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service! If you ever want to do an interview, feel free to shoot us an email.

[@sabresix7933]

Can i have it please. Its just awesome. Well its worth an ask😊

[@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106]

C/2/7th 89 to 91.

[@golffoxtrotyankee1093]

Blackhawks, Sir! Bravo Troop 2/1 Cav Animo Et Fide

[@mikelewis9900]

Blackhawks HHT 7/1st Air Cav

[@arthurtripp6922]

How about.the 11 Cav. For History in Vietnam.

[@halbos7637]

3/11 ACR, Bad Hersfeld, Germany. 1973. Border Ops. IF YOU AIN'T CAV, YOU AIN'T!

[@oifiismith]

3rd plt, Dirt team, A trp 1-7 Cav, 1CD; (92-95) GARY OWENS! Scouts Out! Best job I ever had! 🇺🇸

[@GarryKunis]

100

[@4catsnow]

Mel Gibson's production seemed to glamorize what was in fact a RAGING train wreck,, those people set their helo's down right in front of one serious-ass hornet's nest..

[@WilliamLytle757]

D troop 3/8 cav finthin army airfield Germany 77 78 maga spirit 24 cause I said so 😮!!!!!!!!

[@RobertPauley-g5y]

I served 11th ACR the Blackhorse in Fulda Germany 85-87 if your not Cav your not $%*@

[@DontMeanNothin]

Thank you for your service! If you ever want to do an interview, feel free to shoot us an email.

[@patriotunion7211]

It will take only one person claiming to be offended by this Stetson and it will be banned!

[@DontMeanNothin]

Shhhhhh. Don't give them any ideas 🤫

[@jamesdolph437]

F 2/3 ACR ... Scouts out

[@armynurseboy]

Brave Rifles!

[@ABN-wi5nk]

The cowboy hats look goofy...

[@DontMeanNothin]

Like the disney cartoon?

[@MarshallMcCrory]

@ABN-wi5nk Too bad you couldn't earn one.....they're not available to pog's or pencil pushers. BYE FELICIA

[@andrewemery4272]

Still Baby Killers

[@DontMeanNothin]

Kind of a broad generalization, don't you think?

[@la_old_salt2241]

Why are you here then? Shoo, you bother me.

[@Bravosierra6]

What happened, you finished watching The View?

[@ebay5535]

I watched your interview and 25% of what you said is full of shit….C1/5 Cavalry 1967-68 I corps silver star recipient

[@ebay5535]

I watched your interview and 25% of what you said is full of shit….C1/5 Cavalry 1967-68 I corps silver star recipient

[@DontMeanNothin]

Well, we are just hear to share stories. Thank you for your service, and if you'd like to get on and tell you version, we'd be happy to have you!