Cavalry Stetson Like the Order of the Spur, the Cavalry Stetson is an Army Tradition and regulated by a soldier's unit commander. However, unlike the Order of the Spur, the Cavalry Stetson is usually worn by a Trooper immediately upon their assignment to a Cavalry unit. While the Cavalry Stetson holds a similar status to the Order of the Spur, for members of the cavalry the awarding and wearing of the Cavalry Stetson is distinct from the awarding and wearing of spurs. The cord around the Stetson, which in the past was used to assist with securing the Scout's horse to an object while the Soldier dismounted. Knots in the cord by the Acorns represented combat. Every half knot represented a single Combat Campaign. After two knots were given on a single Stetson, the wearer became the ‘SME’ (Subject Matter Expert) on the battlefield. Army 2011 April Fool's Gag On April Fools' Day, 2011, the U.S. Army released a humorous statement that the official black beret of the Army would be replaced by stetsons. Below is an excerpt from the full announcement: The statement was supplemented by pictures of soldiers with stetsons photoshopped over their berets, including an Army dog toting a stetson. See also Stetson Combat Cavalry Badge References http://www.cavhooah.com/spurs.htm A site about spurs in the Cavalry. http://www.hood.army.mil/3d_cr/about/pdfs/PolicyLetters/Stetson_Policy.pdf 3d CR's Order of the Spur regulations. http://www.1cda.org/MOI-CAV%20HAT%2015%20Aug%202010.pdf 1st CD's Order of the Spur regulations. Awards and decorations of the United States Army Military uniforms