Veterans discharged between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009, with disability ratings of 20% or lower, are being urged to apply for a review of their military medical disability rating. In January, the VA and Defense Department’s Physical Disability Board of Review, or PDBR, hope to begin sending letters to thousands of Post-9/11 veterans to urge them to apply for the review. Congress created the PDBR to address inconsistent disability ratings between the four services, and to determine if some veterans are eligible for increased ratings. Currently, only 3,000 out of 77,000 eligible veterans have applied for the review, with half receiving upgrades to 30% or more, which would make them eligible for a military medical retirement, retiree pay, access to military healthcare and other benefits. The hard part, according to officials, is finding these new veterans, which is where VFW members can help. If you know a Post-9/11 veteran who was separated with a low disability rating, tell him or her to go online to http://www.health.mil, click the “About MHS” link atop the page, and then click the “Physical Disability Board of Review” link. They’ll thank you for it later.
ONWARD: A combined team of Troopers from 1st Squadron, 2CR and German Soldiers from the 112th Panzer Grenadier Battalion transport a casualty during the Spur Ride portion of the Twin Eagles training event held Thursday, Dec. 8 on Rose Barracks.
Photo by: Sgt 1st. Class John Wollaston, 2CR Public Affairs
Click photos to enlarge
VILSECK, Germany –Soldiers in a Cavalry unit have the unique opportunity that others don’t, the chance to earn their silver spurs by participating in a Spur Ride. Many Soldiers stationed in Germany have the chance to earn the coveted German Marksmanship award by participating in a Shutzenschnur. The War Eagles of 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment along with their German partners from the 112th Grenadier Battalion took the opportunity recently to kill two birds with one stone by combining the two events into an operation known as Twin Eagles. The event was held Dec. 5 through Dec. 9 as part of the Squadron’s German-American Partnership Week. Read More »
On the Move: Soldiers from the 104th Panzer Battalion maneuver their Leopard II tanks toward their next firing position during the Iron Panzer training exercise held Thursday, Dec. 8 in the Grafenwoehr Training Area. Click photos to enlarge
VILSECK, Germany – The ground in Grafenwoehr Training Area erupted Thursday, Dec. 8 as the Wolfpack Troopers of 3d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment joined forces with their German partners of 4th Company, 104th Panzer Battalion for operation Iron Panzer. Iron Panzer is a combined live fire exercise that incorporates both the German Leopard II tank and the Stryker Mobile Gun System vehicle.
“This is the first combined live-fire operation our two battalions have conducted in three years,” said Maj. Kenneth Reed, 3d Squadron Operations Officer, “and the first with the MGS system and the Leopard II tank.” Read More »
Above and beyond: Col. Keith Barclay, 76th Commander of the 2d Cavalry Regiment presents 2d Squadron, Headquarters/Headquarters Troop with a Valorous Unit Award streamer during a presentation ceremony held Monday, Dec. 12, at Memorial Gym on Rose Barracks.
VILSECK, Germany – On Monday, Dec. 12, 2d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment units were presented with the Valorous Unit Award for their outstanding actions during the Regiment’s 2007 deployment to Iraq.
The VUA is the second highest award given to a unit and is the equivalent to the individual Silver Star.
The award was presented to 2d Squadron Headquarters, Headquarters Troop and its subordinate units, for their extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy, while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Balad, Iraq.
The 76th Colonel of the Regiment, Col. Keith Barclay, presented the awards during a ceremony held at the Memorial Gym on Rose Barracks.
Story and photos by: Sgt. Jerry Wilson
2CR Public Affairs
Seasons Greetings: The 76th Colonel of the 2d Cavalry Regiment, Col. Keith Barclay welcomes members of the German and American Communities to the annual tree lighting ceremony on Rose Barracks Thursday, Dec. 8.
Click on photos to enlarge
VILSECK, Germany – The yuletide season has officially begun as Dragoons from the 2d Cavalry Regiment and members of the Rose Barracks and Vilseck communities gathered in the Post Exchange parking lot Thursday night, Dec. 8, for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.
Special guests for the evening included the Mayor Hans Schertl of Vilseck, Col. Keith Barclay, the 76th Colonel of the 2d Cavalry Regiment, Deputy Garrison Commander Jim Van Patten and Col. Bryan Rudacile, Commander of the Joint Multinational Training Command.
“It is great to be home for the holiday season,” Barclay said. “It is wonderful to have both the German and American communities here tonight.” Read More »
Dynamic Duo: Capt. Nicholas Forlenza, (left) and Capt Salvatore Forlenza, (rt) stand beside Lt. Col. Dennis E. Wedding, Commander of Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment during the Quickstrike Troop change of command ceremony held Friday, Nov. 18 on Rose Barracks.
Click photo to enlarge
VILSECK, Germany – On Friday, Nov. 18 Quickstrike Troop of the 2d Cavalry Regiment said goodbye to their commander Capt. Nicholas Forlenza during a change of command ceremony. Changes of command ceremonies are common within the Army but what made this one so unique was the incoming commander. Forlenza relinquished his command to his older brother Capt. Salvatore Forlenza. Read More »
