ARMY STETSON HAT: THE HEADGEAR’S HISTORY, TRADITIONS, AND ODDITIES


By bblouin
Comman Sgt. Maj. Victor Martinez, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, displays his Army stetson hat in front of the regimental colors. The Stetson is a long proud Army Cavalry tradition carried on by 2nd SCR.

You’ve seen them everywhere from notable Western films, to the military, and even adorning the head of Beyoncé. The Stetson hat, also known as a cowboy hat, is an iconic piece of Americana that maintains a fascinating history. For some Soldiers, the Army Stetson hat can be obtained through a right of passage. You may be surprised to learn that the history of this headgear is tied to everything from the exploits of Annie Oakley to disrupting the Ku Klux Klan. Suggested read: Celebrate Military Children on April 15 for Purple Up! Day

Where Are Army Stetson Hats Made?

The Cavalry units donning the Army Stetson hat get their signature look from Hatco, Inc. The factory is in Garland, Texas. However, the John B. Stetson Company is the original manufacturer. They became renowned for crafting iconic cowboy hats until it ceased manufacturing in 1970. There are many different styles available, but the Boss of the Plains, characterized by its high crown and wide flat brim, set the standard for cowboy hat designs and continues to do so. Initially based in St. Joseph, Missouri, the factory operated until 2004 when parent company Hatco Inc. shuttered it. Production then shifted to Galveston, Texas. This is where over 100 variations of the Boss of the Plains are still in the making for both men and women. Established by John B. Stetson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the company revolutionized hat manufacturing after Stetson conceptualized the cowboy hat during a Western expedition. Stetson worked in his father's hat-making business until he ventured westward due to a tuberculosis diagnosis. Inspired by the rugged Western lifestyle, he pioneered fur-felt hats suited for all weather conditions. Stetson operated differently than other hatters at the time, leading to innovations like employee benefits, a safe working environment, and community infrastructure. His visionary leadership propelled the John B. Stetson Company to become a global hat-making powerhouse, employing thousands and producing millions of Stetson hats annually by 1915.

The Order of the Spur

The Army Stetson hat isn’t just something any Soldier can wear. Although many notable Western figures, including Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley, helped popularize the Stetson cowboy hat, things work differently in the military. Soldiers who serve within the U.S. Cavalry can don the headpiece. During this process, one must become part of the Order of the Spur. The Order of the Spur, a tradition in the United States Army Cavalry, is bestowed upon Soldiers who have completed a challenging "Spur Ride" or served in combat with a Cavalry unit. Soldiers earn Silver and Gold spurs, and those who achieve both are a "Master Spur Holder." Spur presentations occur during ceremonial dining events known as "Spur Dinners," with each Soldier receiving spurs from their sponsor. These spurs are worn during Squadron or Regimental functions as directed by the Cavalry unit commander. Gold spurs may signify combat service, while silver spurs denote completion of the Spur Ride. Comparable to other prestigious badges in the Army, the Order of the Spur holds significance akin to the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge. The Order of the Spur tradition extends inclusivity to foreign military members serving in U.S. Cavalry units, irrespective of their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Additionally, the Army Stetson Cavalry hat requires a similar ceremonial "breaking in" ritual, echoing the spirit of Cavalry traditions despite not getting an official sanction by AR670-1. Related read: What Is the Gucci Glock? The High-Tech Pistol Used for NNSA Security

Stetson Hats and Superman Helped Take Down the KKK

While the Stetson Army Cavalry hats have a direct connection to the military, a looser connection with the family made them a legend. William Stetson Kennedy was a descendant of the legendary hatter family living in a Jim Crow Era Florida looking to serve his country. The problem? He had a bad back. This meant that Stetson Kennedy was unable to serve in World War II and needed to direct his patriotism in a new direction. He chose to fight the racial injustices he saw around him. Thus began the legend of Stetson Kennedy using his time, energy, and connections to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in Georgia. Specifically, a group known as The Columbians, Inc. Growing within the KKK, Stetson Kennedy learned their secrets. He used this to his advantage as a way to hinder the group’s efforts. Ultimately, he would contact the children's radio program "The Adventures of Superman," working to expose the group’s secrets. Working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation under the alias John Perkins, he infiltrated Klan-affiliated organizations to gather evidence for prosecution. Sharing Klan secrets with authorities, journalists, and human rights groups, Stetson Kennedy's testimony led to the conviction of leaders. His collaboration with the Superman radio program, revealing Klan rituals, is in association with weakening Klan recruitment and membership. As a result, he is a pivotal figure in combating the KKK’s influence.

What Can You Wear on an Army Stetson Hat?

The US Army Stetson hat can show rank and regimental or ordinary Cavalry brass that features a braid on its base. There are many different braids available to troopers which vary depending on when and how you serve. All braid ends or acorns are on the front of the hate along with crossed sabers when appropriate. If you are a part of the US Cavalry, you are a part of a unique, historic place in the creation of our nation. These traditions continue today with the Army Stetson hat remaining an easily recognizable symbol of all those who have served as Cavalry. Read next: 3M Earplug Lawsuit Update – $6 Billion Settlement Moving Forward


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