The 2d Cavalry Assn News Center

Blast from the past
Vilseck, Germany –Ernest Roth (center) explains border patrol procedures during a 2SCR staff ride that traced the Czech border.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jerry Wilson, 2SCR Public Affairs)

VILSECK, Germany – Staff Rides have long been looked at as a way for Soldiers to experience the rich history of the U.S. Army. The Soldiers of 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment recently had the opportunity to take a guided tour along the German – Czech Republic border and learned what it was like to be a border guard there not too long ago.

“During the Cold War, both Soviet and U.S. forces built reinforced defensive positions along the German Federal Republic-Czechoslovakia (modern day German-Czech Republic) border,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Boyle, the Fourth Squadron Commander. “As part of the U.S. security forces, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted border security operations in this region, ending with the reunification of Germany in 1990.”

“2nd ACR’s contributions ensured the security of the region and provided stability to the people,” Boyle added.

To ensure the participants received a taste of what life on the border was truly like, Boyle enlisted the help of Ernest Roth, a local 2ACR historian and former member of the Regiment. Roth was stationed at Camp Reed on the border and explained what life was like on a daily basis for Troopers pulling border security.

“I was a member of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from November 1982 until September of 1992,” Roth explained.
According to Roth, who now works as the U.S. Army Europe’s Management Officer in Grafenwoehr, Germany, he and Boyle were stationed together many years ago in Amberg.

“He remembered me,” Roth recalled. “He contacted me and said he would like to do a border staff ride to show what life was like here back in the 70’s and 80’s.”

Roth arranged with local German agencies to open Camp Reed and said coming up with things to share with the group was a breeze.

“I did 14 border rotations while I was there,” he said. “After you’ve been on that many patrols, it sticks in your memory.”
Roth said that the trip really brought back fond memories for him. It also reminded him of the degree of professionalism needed to be a border Trooper.

“Up on the border mediocrity was not accepted,” he said. “There were high standards and you were expected to meet them.”

Roth explained that Soldiers were given a written test and expected to score perfectly before being allowed out on patrol.
“You were expected to get 125 right out of 125 questions,” he said.

Roth and Boyle both believe it is important for Soldiers to experience this historical grounding in order to have a better understanding on what they do today.

“Our Troopers were able to identify with this environment as the majority of our force was based out of combat outposts and worked jointly with Iraqi Security Forces,” Boyle said.

Boyle said his Solders truly benefitted from the trip into the past.
“There is a lot of information that can be drawn from the past experiences of this unit. From the austere conditions of living on a camp or outpost to the daily routines and patrol schedules, some of the things that happened 20 or 30 years ago are very similar to how our unit operated during our last rotation in Iraq,” Boyle said. “As we move on to future missions and deployments, it is imperative that we draw from these experiences.”