2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Public Affairs Office
Vilseck, Germany
PHONE: DSN: 476-5017 COMMERCIAL (49) 09662-83-5017
E-mail: 2scrwebmaster@eur.army.mil
Website: www.2SCR.army.mil
VILSECK, Germany – For Command Sgt. Major John Wayne Troxell a recent visit to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck was like coming home. Troxell, who is currently the CSM of the U.S. Army Armor Center in Fort Knox Kentucky, served as the 2SCR Regimental Command Sergeant Major from 2004 to 2006. Troxell spent time with 2SCR Soldiers discussing issues facing troopers in the 19- Armor series Military Occupational Specialty. (MOS) as well as what it means to be a member of the noncommissioned officer corps.
Transformation was the topic of discussion as Troxell outlined some of the changes being made in today’s Armor units. He talked about the shift from armor heavy teams to a lighter Brigade Combat team.
“In the old days we were a tank heavy force, because we were set up to fight the Russians,” he said. “We were trained to fight them on open plains where you saw them from miles away.”
Troxell then went on to explain the shift from the heavy tank units to a lighter more mobile force.
“Now the enemy is in the city, blended in with the population, he continued. “In order to get at them we have to secure the population, identify the enemy and chop their heads off.”
“What better kind of unit to do that than a Stryker unit,” he said.
According to the Sergeant Major – these things coupled with the fact that it’s easier to deploy a lighter unit into combat were some of the reasons that the Army is shifting from a 64 percent Armor force to 57 percent reconnaissance.
Troxell then went on to discuss the ever-changing role of the noncommissioned officer in today’s Army and the Global War on Terror.
“What makes us strong is what Al Qaeda fears the most,” he said, “our NCO Corps.”
“Our NCOs today are doing missions that 20-years ago Captains and Lieutenant Colonels were doing,” he said. “I would go out to my battle space in Iraq and see a young Staff Sergeant doing the job of a company commander just 10 years ago.”
It is for this reason that Troxell stressed the need for NCOs to maintain high standards of readiness and ensure their Soldiers follow their example.
“I need your help out there,” he said. “You have to be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test and meet the height, weight and body fat standards.”
He stressed the need to make sure Soldiers have all the required equipment they need before they deploy or go to school.
“Here’s what it takes leaders,” Troxell said, “It takes the moral courage to say to Spec. 4 Troxell, ‘Get out in the quad and bring all your gear with you. We are going to lay your stuff out and make sure you got everything.’ That is how you certify they are prepared to accomplish their mission.”
Troxell encouraged all Soldiers to continuously hone their leadership skills.
“I urge you all to continue to drive on and do what it takes to achieve the band of excellence,” he said. “Let there be no doubt that the band of excellence is from 90 to 100 percent.”
“It isn’t 71 percent,” he continued, “71 percent is barely a passing grade.”
Command Sergeant Major closed his visit by awarding a coin to one outstanding Soldier and NCO from each Squadron.
Command Sgt. Major John Wayne Troxell discusses the future of Armored Brigades with Troopers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jerry Wilson, 2SCR/PAO)
