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Main Page Cross Strap Fashion Statement
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: sluggie371

I believe that the cross strap is what makes the MSP uniform the sharpest in the land. Talk amoungest your selves.

Posted by: Delta784

The cross strap started off as a functional uniform piece with the US Army Cavalry; the mounted soldiers had to carry everything either on them or on their horse, so their uniform belts (gunbelts) were typically heavier than a regular soldier due to the large amount of handgun ammo they carried (most cavalry soldiers relied on their handguns while mounted for practicality). The cross strap acted as a very primitive load bearing piece of equipment, and took some of the weight off the hips.

For that reason, mounted police & motorcycle police (who took their traditions from the cavalry) typically wear cross straps although they are purely cosmetic, as evidenced by the "breakaway" cross straps in use now.

Interestingly, as much as some MSP people want to equate themselves to the Marine Corps, practically everything about the MSP is derived from the US Army Cavalry; from the term "barracks" to the breeches to the riding boots to the campaign hats and even their title "trooper" all come from the cavalry. The USMC never had cavalry.

Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

Interestingly, as much as some MSP people want to equate themselves to the Marine Corps, practically everything about the MSP is derived from the US Army Cavalry; from the term "barracks" to the breeches to the riding boots to the campaign hats and even their title "trooper" all come from the cavalry. The USMC never had cavalry.

100% true. The original MSP uniform were surplus green cavalry trooper uniforms from the World War I, with brown leather puttees and belts, breeches and tunics. Although it wasn't until the mid-forties that the title of "Trooper" became official, the original title was "patrolman".

Its my suspicion that the post-Vietnam Marines entering the MSP in the early 70's, who then began to dominate the recruit training began the heavy Marine Corps influence seen today.

The MSP is not the only state agency that wears cross-straps, the RISP comes to mind as well.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killjoy

One of my best friend's uncle was a trooper from the late 40's until the 1960's, and he told me that horsemanship was a requirement of the academy well into the 1950's. He showed us his graduation pictures where the entire class was on horseback.

Posted by: Q5-TPR

Good thing that changed! I think I have been on a horse twice in my life! LOL

Posted by: badgebunny

I agree with sluggie....I, too believe that the MSP has the sharpest uniform...I like the different uniforms...especially the Class A...I have heard that the breeches are not the most comfortable, but I still think they look GREAT!!!

Posted by: bbelichick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

It's mostly the training equated with the Marines.

The style and terminologyused is mostly from the Marines.

The cadences are a mixture of all services.

Posted by: Dane

Quote:

He showed us his graduation pictures where the entire class was on horseback.

That ended with that R.T.T. Due to state budget cuts, those horses were served in the chow hall to the following R.T.T.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgebunny

I have heard that the breeches are not the most comfortable, but I still think they look GREAT!!!

I had to wear them when I was on the mounted unit (how do you think I know so much about the cavalry?), and they are not built for comfort. Hot as hell in the summer and freezing in the winter.

Posted by: USMCTrooper

Actually, although the first ones were surplus US military green, the uniform design and colors are based on the French military Officer's uniform from WWI. Their uniforms retained riding breeches and puttees because European cavalry had been around decades longer than the US. It was US General Foote, later who brought back from WWI ideas that molded how our uniforms evolved. He got in the crap for it too and had to "retire".

See the uniform to the left in this photo.........

Posted by: lawdog671

I actually had a defense attorney break my balls about the cross strap, it's purpose and history, and current use during an OUI trial and he made a big deal about how intimidating a cross strap is...like I wouldn't know my own uniform parts.....

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

They always reminded me of the WWII Nazi uniforms. It was rumored Hitler designed their uniforms after seeing the MSP during a visit to the US.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBC FL Cop

They always reminded me of the WWII Nazi uniforms. It was rumored Hitler designed their uniforms after seeing the MSP during a visit to the US.

Urban legend; if you look at the uniforms of Prussia and WWI-era Germany, they are greatly similar to the Nazi-era uniforms.

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Yeah, but it sounds better if it came from the MSP

Posted by: emerlad

Wow!!!

Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

It was rumored Hitler designed their uniforms after seeing the MSP during a visit to the US.

Utter nonsense...Hitler never visited the US.

The original uniforms were nothing more than US Cavalry surplus uniforms. The French & Electric blue uniforms were instituted in 1933 and have essentially remained unchanged since then. It is rumored that the French and Electric Blue uniforms are based upon Belgian and French military officers uniforms seen by many doughboys during the first world war. In the early 70's the MSP instituted the summer uniform, consisting of the campaign cover, short sleeve shirt worn with an open collar and slacks. Up until then, the "winter" uniform was the only uniform and worn year round. As many have mentioned, the cross-strap was used by most militaries and police departments, but fell out favor in later years.

Posted by: rhl

Hey PBC, thanks for equating all us hard working, decent troopers with fucking Nazis. By the way, those fucks did copy it from us after one of der feurer's aides went to school at, where else, Haaaaaavaaaad University, that cesspool of liberalism. By the way, I believe Barak Obama went there too. rhl

Posted by: MM1799

Does Hanover PD still have that picture with that POS ex-trooper on their website?

Posted by: nevrehc

MM, thought I was the only one who saw that POS. Two highly motivated troopers in that photo, and one pos that should have taken his life!!!!

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhl

Hey PBC, thanks for equating all us hard working, decent troopers with fucking Nazis. By the way, those fucks did copy it from us after one of der feurer's aides went to school at, where else, Haaaaaavaaaad University, that cesspool of liberalism.

As I said, urban legend. German military uniforms had the same look from before even WWI.

From 1866;

And WWI;

Posted by: GARDA

Obscure reference: One of my favorite lines from The Departed...

Matt Damon's character (in DIS, wearing a suit) responds to his envious RTT classmate (still in Field Div., wearing winter Class B's) by asking him...
"Do you own any suits, or do you just like going to work everyday looking like you're going to invade Poland?"

PRICELESS.

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhl

Hey rhl, no problem. Equating you with the Nazis, is that a joke. Your uniforms were similar, don't read into it any deeper than that.

Posted by: sluggie371

WoW, I am surprised how many people on this site are will to dry hump the MSP uniform.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by sluggie371

WoW, I am surprised how many people on this site are will to dry hump the MSP uniform.

Don't try to displace your fetish on us.

Posted by: nirtallica

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBC FL Cop

Hey rhl, no problem. Equating you with the Nazis, is that a joke. Your uniforms were similar, don't read into it any deeper than that.

What has this site come to when we can't even post something about a simple component of a uniform and the thread starts its turn?

Posted by: bbelichick

Quote:

Originally Posted by nirtallica

What has this site come to when we can't even post something about a simple component of a uniform and the thread starts its turn?

I totally agree, Sheriffs are not cops!

Posted by: 94c

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbelichick

I totally agree, Sheriffs are not cops!

10....9....8....7....6....5....4....

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

3...2...1

Posted by: Rock

BOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: mpd61

Okay you asked for it...

Massasoit P.D. at some point decided to be foolish and get MSP Warrants, and then there was discussion of trying to be sworn as PCSD deputies (just in case)

We only wore a cross strap on our Class A dress uniform. Funny thing is, since 2003, the Class A uniform has been practically extinct...Hmmmmm.

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