Cavalry has been captured by the Armor branch. But the Cav always considers themselves "The Keepers of the Flame" even if the Infantry and Artillery have to do a lot of the work. Many if not most of the traditions of the Army stem from the Indian wars fought by Cavalry soldiers, one example being the dress blue uniform with the faded blue pants.
In the 7th Cav (you know, Custer?) officers got "The Talk." The talk is this: the 7th Cavalry does not do surrender. You fight to the last man. If you're not interested, here's your transfer. General Eric Shinseki (former Commander of 3-7 Cav) was ACOS when we invaded Iraq, and the 3rd ID and 3-7 Cav were the lead element in the Army's assault. I doubt it was a coincidence.
There are many famous Cavalry officers, the two most famous being Pershing and Patton. The "Cav Track" was the hot road to promotion for many years, with a large number of ACOS (Army Chief of Staff) officers originally Cavalry officers. Why? Because in the Cav you are thinking "maneuver" and "combined arms" all the time. And Cavalry units are always deployed on borders or at the front, so they tended to spend more time in the field and on maneuvers.
All kind of moot now that the Soviets gave up and so many units are dismounted patrols in urban areas and mountains.
So, what do Cavalrymen really think of all the other branches?
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 Fiddler's 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 Flddlers' 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 agaln
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or 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.
In the 7th Cav (you know, Custer?) officers got "The Talk." The talk is this: the 7th Cavalry does not do surrender. You fight to the last man. If you're not interested, here's your transfer. General Eric Shinseki (former Commander of 3-7 Cav) was ACOS when we invaded Iraq, and the 3rd ID and 3-7 Cav were the lead element in the Army's assault. I doubt it was a coincidence.
There are many famous Cavalry officers, the two most famous being Pershing and Patton. The "Cav Track" was the hot road to promotion for many years, with a large number of ACOS (Army Chief of Staff) officers originally Cavalry officers. Why? Because in the Cav you are thinking "maneuver" and "combined arms" all the time. And Cavalry units are always deployed on borders or at the front, so they tended to spend more time in the field and on maneuvers.
All kind of moot now that the Soviets gave up and so many units are dismounted patrols in urban areas and mountains.
So, what do Cavalrymen really think of all the other branches?
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 Fiddler's 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 Flddlers' 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 agaln
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or 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.
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