It is not known exactly when the tradition of awarding Spurs was started in the U.S. Cavalry. When green troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail.

This led to the nickname “Shave Tail” for newly assigned, Spurless soldiers.
Upon arrival, they were in need of extensive training, especially in the area ofswordsmanship from atop a horse.

The horse with a shaved tail was given extra space in which to operate since it’s rider was marked as an amateur. During this
phase of training the troopers were not allowed to wear Spurs because this would only serve to compound their problems.

Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded Spurs.
Once assigned to a Cavalry unit, Troopers had to undergo rigorous training and professional development before being considered for the awarding of Spurs.
Earning Spurs was not optional.

Troopers would sometimes spend an entire month’s pay to purchase distinctive and original Spurs, often engraving the name of his steed or his sweetheart on them.

When worn, the Spurs indicate that the trooper has demonstrated cavalry and leadership skills greater than those expected of the common soldier.

Today’s Spur Programs are Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer leadership development programs.
The program focuses on the individual trooper’s physical, technical, professional, and communicative abilities. All Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers are usually required to participate.

Paying for the Spurs and the certificate is voluntary in some units, other units provide them for free after the Spur Ride is completed. In some units, the
Trooper will be “sponsored” by his or her NCO or mentor, and the sponsor buys the Spurs for his or her pledge. Nearly every Cavalry unit offers soldiers the
opportunity to earn their Spurs, either during peacetime or combat.


The Order of the Spur

1. The Order of the Spur is to recognize individual qualifications for those in a cavalry unit. The privilege
of being awarded Spurs in 7th U.S. Cavalry comes with hard work.

2. The following minimum guidelines must be met:

2 years in the 7th U.S. Cavalry.

MOSQ or Branch qualified



Spur Ceremony Dinner

The head table shall consist of the entire Spur Committee and Guest of Honor.

The uniform of the Spur holders will be dress blue, mess dress, or Army Class A’s with bow tie, Spurs and Stetson.

The formal portion begins with the call to mess and ends with the lighting of the smoking lamp.

The XO will use a bugle to call the mess. All personnel will be standing behind their seats within one minute of the mess being called.

Once the formal portion commences, no one may leave their seats without permission from the Senior Spur Holder.

No smoking is allowed inside the mess until the smoking lamp has been lit. (The XO will be responsible to provide this lamp.)
Individuals will be seated by team. (Past and Present)

The toasts are mandatory and will be done correctly.



The following is a list of violations that may be brought forth as a Point of Order:

A. Anything determined by the head table.
B. Improperly worn Spurs.
C. Improperly worn Stetson.
D. Calling the Stetson a “hat”.
E. Out of proper uniform.
F. Smoking prior to the lamp being lit.
G. Moving from seat without permission.
H. Uncharged glass during toasts.
I. Making false charges.
J. Quibbling.
K. Chewing tobacco before the smoking lamp is lit.
L. Improper toasting procedure.
M. Foul language.
N. Harming a Shave Tail.
O. Spilling of drinks or breakage of glass.
P. Inability to respond to being coined.
Q. “Tossing your cookies” in the mess.

I don't know about the US cavalry, but the tradition of winning spurs goes at least as far back as medieval times. An act of bravery was required to become a knight and get the spurs.

Actually the term shave tail comes from the practice of shaving a mules tail. First the top was shaved to denote a green broke mule,then another bell was added under it for mules that could be worked in harness, the 3rd bell was a mule broke to ride and drive. It carried over to raw recruits in the Calvary as they were designated as shave tail for being green. I could be mistaken in that 3 bells maybe meant they were rideable, packable, and driveable.

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 Stenson, the wearer became the ‘SME’ (Subject Matter Expert) on the battlefield.

Was the term shave tail used to describe a first lieutenant? I remember in the HBO series Pacific a Marine sargent cussed out a lieutenant and called him that.