In a cost-saving move, the US Army is disbanding most ceremonial cavalry units, retiring 141 horses while retaining caisson units for funerals. Critics note recent parades cost far more than the savings.
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has remained committed to instilling a “warfighting ethos,” purging the military of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and streamlining the services. As part of the ongoing efforts, bases that were renamed under the Biden administration have reverted, yet they continue to honor different soldiers.
These latest name changes are reportedly expected to cost tens of millions of dollars. Likewise, several Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels will also have their names changed.
Moreover, as part of the Pentagon’s cost-saving measures, multiple military museums are being shuttered or consolidated, while some time-honored traditions are being pushed out.
The Associated Pres reported this week that the US Army will scale back significantly its ceremonial cavalry units. That includes the one from Fort Cavazos, Texas, that took part in the June 14 parade in Washington, DC, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army.
Among the ceremonial units to get the axe are those at Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Irwin, California; Fort Riley, Kansas; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Each base has been given 12 months to “shutter the units,” the AP reported. A total of 141 horses will be put up for adoption, saving the US Army about $2 million annually.
By contrast, last month’s parade is believed to have cost at least $45 million, enough to support the ceremonial cavalry units for two decades!
Army spokesperson Steve Warren told the news wire service that none of the horses will be sold; instead, they will be donated to organizations. “[The horses] are part of the Army family,” Warren explained, “We’re going to treat them with compassion.”
Only Two Horse Units Will Remain in the US Army
Even as the ceremonial units at the bases above will be disbanded, two will remain. These will include “the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors.”
“The Caisson Department has carried out its duties of escorting the fallen since 1948 when the 3rd ID was reactivated at Fort Myer, Virginia. The role had previously belonged to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment,” the Joint Task Force, National Capital Region explained on its website.
The Caisson is currently authorized for all military funeral honors for “Medal of Honor recipients, those who were prisoners of war (POWs) or who were killed in action (KIA), officers O-4 and above, and service members who attained the most senior enlisted and warrant officer ranks.” It is also authorized for state funerals, and that included carrying the late President Jimmy Carter through the streets of Washington, DC, earlier this year.
It uses Caisson wages built by the American Carriage and Foundry Company in 1918 to escort 75mm cannons, and were initially equipped with ammunition chests, spare wheels, and tools to maintain the cannons.
The Army had only resumed the ceremonial duties at Arlington National Cemetery following a more than year-long pause after the death of multiple horses. A 2022 investigation revealed that the horses’ living conditions had been neglectful, leading to the retirement of five additional horses. The program has since been revamped with insights from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At the same time, Olympic equestrian gold medalist David O’Connor was tasked with supervising the creation of a 12-week course to teach soldiers basic horsemanship skills.
There has been speculation about whether that program will be cut, but hopefully it will continue for the horses’ sake.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/George Sheldon.
