The Hubs had his Steston break-in "ceremony", if you will, last week. This is a long-standing army cav tradition. I was fortunate enough to be able to witness this infamous break-in and it was quite a scene. Basically, the Stetson break-in involves the new troops standing in a line holding their Stetson upside down in their hands while the other members of the unit fill them with every kind of alcohol/food they can come up with.
On this particular night, I witnessed warm beer, various liquors to include vodka, tequila and rum, clam juice, chopped lettuce and who knows what else. Once the hats are filled and running over, the new troops are instructed to drink the contents of their hat until it is flipped over onto their heads. Once the Stetsons were flipped onto their heads and their eyes were burning, the troops ran across the street and jumped in the pond behind the lodge while others looked on.
It was all in good fun and a good time was had by all!
"The tradition of the "Cav Hat" began in the early days before the Vietnam War. The 11th Air Assault Division cavalry scout pilots were looking to distinguish themselves from other troops when they adopted the Model 1876 campaign hat for wear. They felt a need to return to the traditions of the Cavalry so long forgotten. LTC John B. Stockton, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, is given credit for establishing the tradition of wearing the Cavalry Stetson." (http://www.1cda.org/cavhat.htm)
"Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway." ~John Wayne
