Armor Branch in the Army

The cavalry insignia was adopted in 1851

The United States cavalry came galloping into existence in 1776, when the Continental Congress allowed George Washington, who had been victim to the effects of the British 17th Light Dragoons, to create a mounted force of 3,000 men.(1) However, it wasn't until the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 that the U.S. began raising cavalry units for battle. (2) Being on horseback gave the troops an advantage of height and speed.

Cavalry: from Italian cavalleria "mounted militia," from cavaliere "mounted soldier"

However, horses became expensive both to purchase, feed, and take care of. By the 1850's, mounted troops were replaced by tanks. The army changed this branch's name from "U.S. Cavalry" to the "Armor Branch", though many still refer to it as the "armored cavalry".(3)

1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry

While our army no longer fights in the saddle of a noble steed, we still have a Horse Cavalry in Texas. Made up of 39 men, 31 horses, a few mules and some dogs, the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry (HCD) is mostly for show. Still, these men apparently train with sabers and guns and take care of their horses like men did in the 1800's. They wear traditional uniforms and even make their own saddles and boots and have their own blacksmith shop for farrier purposes!(4)

If ever our shiny tanks and jeeps fail us, this Cavalry Division will be ready to fight and train others to do likewise, as they are constantly training and give demonstrations to the public every week.






Sources:

Image 1: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US-Cavalry-Plaque.png
Image 2: https://www.rt.com/news/373492-peskov-kremlin-usa-tanks/
Image 3: https://www.army.mil/article/130405/1st_cavalry_division_horse_cavalry_detachmen...
Cover Image: history.com

(1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Cavalry
(2)http://hglanham.tripod.com/uscavalry/uscavalry1.html
(3)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Cavalry
(4)https://www.army.mil/article/130405/1st_cavalry_division_horse_cavalry_detachmen...