Horse Cavalry Detachment
Organizational Legacy
"Charge !!"
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"Present Sabre(s)"
At the command, "Sabre", carry the sabre vertically to the front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the neck, the blade vertical, the edge to the left, the thumb extended on the right side of the grip, the little finger by the side of the others. |
Horse Detachment Distinctive Unit Icon
Introduction
The 1st Cavalry Division, a major subordinate command of the US Third Mobile
Armored Corps, is a 19,000 soldier, heavy armored division stationed at Ft.
Hood, TX. As one of the two "on-call" heavy contingency force divisions of the
Army, the First Team has an on-order mission to deploy by sea, air or land to
any part of the world on a short notice. The following narratives, divided in
timeline eras of major operational missions, describes the threat environment,
tactical conditions, evolution of equipment technology and the strategic
methodology employed by one of its assigned units, the 1st Cavalry Division
Horse Detachment. It contributes to the successful missions enhancement of the
warring organization of the 1st Cavalry Division and the honors they achieved
are summarized in the chapters that follow.
Mission:
The mission of the Horse Cavalry Detachmnet is composed of three elements.
- to serve as a link to the military past of the United States;
- to aid the recruiting efforts of the US Army across the country;
- to faithfully represent the 1st Cavalry Division, III Corps, and
the US Army in military and civic ceremonies, parades, and
demonstrations.
Philosophy
The Horse Cavalry Detachment is committed to professionally and safely
representing the history, pageantry, and traditions of the US Cavalry of the
Indian Wars Era. Every trooper is hand-picked and tested prior to acceptance
into the unit. Great pride is taken in the ability to maintain current
standards of military discipline while preserving the unique skills and
traditions of the horse-mounted cavalry of an era gone by.
Organizational Summary:
The Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division , based at Ft. Hood,
Texas, is one of seven mounted cavalry units on active duty in the United
States Army. The Detachment's representation of the US Cavalry from the Indian
Wars period makes it unique amongst those units.
The Horse Detachment Barn is manned by at least one soldier 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. Visitors are welcome to stop by and take a tour of the
facilities at any time.
The Detachment participates in both formal and informal parades and reviews,
provides VIP tours for distiguished guests of the 1st Cavalry Division, makes
a variety of appearences designed to inform or amuse the public. Since its
inception in 1972, the Detachment has appeared in 3 Presidential Inaugural
Parades, six Tournament of Roses Parades, the 1984 World's Fair, and literally
thousands of state and local fairs, parades, and rodeos.
The signature performance of the Horse Detachment is a 30-minute mounted
drill and weapons demonstration that provides a thrilling exhibition of the
skill and precision required of a trooper while mounted. It includes drill
maneuvers at the walk, trot, and gallop followed by demonstrations of the use
of the Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, M1873 Colt Revolver (commonly known as
"the Peacemaker"), and the M1873 Springfield Trapdoor-Model Carbine. The
The Demonstration Team of the Detachment arrives on-site complete with eleven
troopers and mounts, a muleskinner and swamper with mule team, an M1878 Escort
Wagon, an M1841 Light Mountain Howitzer, and a dedicated ground support staff.
No outside personnel or equipment is required in order to conduct the
demonstrations.
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Horse Cavalry Detachment Demonstration |
The above video of the Horse Cavalry Detachment was taken during one of their
recent preformances of drills, precision riding skills and equipment use at
the Houston Rodeo.
The Detachment is flexible and can adjust its performances to create almost
any effect. The unit requires an area about the size of a football field for
its mounted cavalry demonstrations. There is no charge for any appearance of
the Detachment. However, operating costs and travel expenses must be covered
by the requesting organization whenever the Detachment is asked to travel more
than one day to reach and return from a performance. For performances
conducted within one-day trips from Ft. Hood, meals must be provided by the
requesting organization.
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Horse Cavalry Detachment - 4th of July Celebration |
Capabilities
Features of the various capabilities within the Horse Cavalry Detachment cover
the following functions:
- The Mounted Cavalry Demonstration is composed of two sections -
mounted drill and mounted weapons. The demonstration, a 30-minute
high-energy show that captivates both young and old alike, is
designed to faithfully represent the traditions, techniques, and
tactics of the US Army during the Indian Wars.
- The Horse Detachment's thirteen-rider parade team adds pageantry
and Old West cavalry style to any parade or procession. The Team
is ready to enhance any atmosphere from tame to tumultuous.
- Yesterday and Today Presentation: A two-person team from the Horse
Detachment travels to a predetermined location - such as a school
or meeting hall - and conducts a formal presentation on the history
of the US Cavalry and the activities of the Horse Cavalry
Detachment. Afterwards, the pair opens the floor to audience
questions not only about the unit and cavalry history, but also
bout Army life and other subjects.
- Community Ceremonies and Special Appearances: On certain special
occasions, the Detachment participates in community ceremonies.
Generally these are unique events requiring unique plans, so
interested groups should contact the HCD early to explore the
possibility of participation of the the Horse Detachment.
- Saddle Display: This service is similar to a Yesterday and Today
presentation, described above, except that the team on-site has
no formal remarks to make and relies on the curiosity of the
public to begin conversation. Saddle Displays may include a DVD
video, time and resources permitting, either as background or
filler. When invited to participate in a fair or convention, the
HCD usually provides this service.
- Partnerships with Army Recruiters: One of the primary missions
of the Horse Detachment is to aid the recruiting of the US Army
recruiting efforts across the country. The main method for
accomplishing this aspect of our mission is to form temporary
partnerships with local Army recruiting stations. HCD
leadership and Operations staff will take the time to work out
a detailed concept of support which will be as beneficial as
possible to local recruiting without hindering the rest of the
mission of the Horse Cavalry Detachment.
- At the Barn
- Brigade Photo Shoot and Staff Ride: Each brigade organic
to the First Cavalry Division is authorized one photo
shoot and staff ride per calendar year. The brigade staff
and command group work with HCD leadership to determine
how many members of the brigade will participate in each
aspect of the event.
- Battalion Photo Shoot: Each battalion-sized element
organic to the First Cavalry Division is authorized one
photo shoot per calendar year. The battalion command group
may bring battalion staff primaries, primary staff NCOs,
company commanders.
- Reenlistments on Horseback: In conjunction with a photo
shoot or staff ride, the HCD is proud to offer the
opportunity for First Team soldiers to reenlist on
horseback.
- Barn Tours: Any member of the public is welcome to stop by
the HCD Barn for a guided tour. To get here, follow US
Route 190 to the Fort Hood Main Gate exit (one mile West
of Killeen, TX). Take the exit ramp and follow the signs
to the "Martin Leath Visitor Center." Turn right off the
main road to enter the Visitor Center parking lot. Once in
the lot, look ahead and to your right and you will see
signs for the "Horse Cavalry Detachment" and "Hunt and
Saddle Club" beside a driveway. Follow that driveway to
the first parking lot on your left. The big red barn
beside that lot is the HCD Barn. Our CQ Desk (start point
for Barn Tours) is on your left just inside the front
door.
For additional information, contact the Horse Cavalry Detachment at:
PBX (254) 287-6307 or (254) 287-2229
FAX (254) 288-0405
This folio of material highlights of the many subsequent historical critical
missions performed by members of the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry
Detachment Band, whose actions, and operations over its 37 years history at
and the honors they achieved are summarized in the following sections:
Table of Contents
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Copyright © 1996, Cavalry Outpost Publications ® and
Trooper Wm. H. Boudreau, "F" Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment (1946 - 1947). All
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