By Maj. Gary Kasavicha
Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
What do you give a unit that is 172 years old and the longest standing Cavalry Regiment in the history of the United States Army for its birthday? The unit earned the gift of an award for excellence. Recently, the Regimental Support Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment had the honor of being selected as the 2008 Distinguished Unit of the Quartermaster Regiment, to add to the impressive history of the unit.
“This award is a mark of distinction coming at an important point in our history” stated Lt. Col. Danny F. Tilzey, commander, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
It just so happens that winning this award coincides with the 172nd birthday of the 2nd SCR on May 23. This adds recognition to the many accomplishments of this cavalry unit’s storied history that traces back to the inception of the 2nd Regiment Dragoons in 1836. The Distinguished Unit of the Quartermaster Regiment Award was created in 1993, and is the highest form of recognition the quartermaster regiment offers, recognizing truly outstanding units, past and present, which have made a significant contribution to the Quartermaster Corps. The award honors units who are judged to have made “the most significant contributions to the overall history and traditions of the Quartermaster Corps.”
“The unit is now known as the 2nd SCR and is stationed in Vilseck, Germany. The regiment has long since traded in its horses and now operates in state-of-the-art Stryker vehicles. The story of the regiment resonates much like the story of the U.S. Army with honors and campaign credits for battles such as Vera Cruz, Little Big Horn, Gettysburg, Aisne-Marne, Normandy, Leyte, the Defense of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. These credits also include the War with Mexico, securing the American West, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism.
“It is a great honor to have won this distinguished award. I remember the day Command Sgt. Maj. Rex Ray and I took command of the squadron in November 2005 at Fort Lewis, Washington,” said Tilzey. “At that time the unit was lacking most of its equipment and in the process of losing most of its leadership.”
“I knew there was a long road ahead, but we were up to the challenge of making this the great unit it has become. After building the foundation at Fort Lewis and improving the framework in Vilseck, Germany it was in Iraq that the formation of a truly great squadron was complete. Its growth was evident, seen and tested from those challenges only seen in combat, where we were pushed to our limits,” added Tilzey.
“Throughout our deployment the Regimental Support Squadron overcame any adversity, conquered any challenge, completed any assigned missions, and in doing so provided unparalleled support to this great regiment and nation,” said Tilzey.
Throughout its history the RSS has played an integral part of the longest active serving Cavalry Regiment in the United States Army. RSS Troopers, “Muleskinners,” have always provided first class support to the war fighter ensuring units had the resources it needed to complete the mission.
The squadron maintains great pride in its lineage now enhanced by its selection as a Distinguished Unit of the Quartermaster Regiment. Unfortunately, members of the support squadron could not attend the regimental honors award ceremony during the annual Quartermaster Foundation dinner which was held on May 16, the RSS, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The support squadron like the regiment continues to live up to its motto, Muleskinners, “Always Ready!”
