In the summer of 1993 the Regiment moved again to Fort Polk, Louisiana. The Second Dragoons became the Cavalry Regiment for the XVIII Airborne Corps, serving as part of a rapid deployment force able to move quickly anywhere around the globe. In addition, the Regiment played an important part in cultivating the war fighting skills of the Army’ s light forces through its continual support of the Joint Readiness Training Center. By augmenting both opposing and friendly forces, the Dragoons helped to provide the light Soldiers of today’ s Army with the most realistic training they can receive.
Being stationed at Ft. Polk was a painfully frustrating experience. I served in the Regiment in Europe where we were acknowleged as professional warfighters. At Polk, we seemed to be a token organization that was at the beckon call of the JRTC where we would act as OPFOR or as “civilians of the battlefield”, in spite of our RDF mission. Training land and time was usually gobbled up by JRTC leaving us with scraps. Our live-fire & manuever exercises at Ft. Chaffee may have been the most rewarding, I know they were for me. As individual Squadrons deployed to Haiti, and then to the Balkans. I believe the professional spirit and can-do attitude prevailed. I’m proud to have served in such a professional organization with the lineage to back it up.
My recruiter told me two things before I shipped for basic training…”Don’t be towed artillery and avoid Fort Polk if possible”. Well, long story short, I was stationed at Polk as a M-198 towed artillery crew member. To my surprise, I actually liked Polk and the M-198, and I was very fortunate to be a part of 3/2 ACR. I was there from 1998-2001. I thought the field training was rewarding and I enjoyed being a part of JRTC rotations.
I was stationed at Ft. Polk from ’93 – ’00. JRTC was in the infant stages. I remember the huge dedication to the 5th ID. They were Ft. Polk; they were stationed there for decades and when they deactivated, a huge dedication ceremony was held.
Ft. Polk was not my favorite duty assignment. Someone once told me that Ft. Polk was the “armpit of the Army.” I didn’t think it was that bad but I did have better assignments. Even though I wasn’t fond of the post, I absolutely loved the 2 ACR. I loved the cavalry and at one point even considered changing my MOS to 19D. To this day, I swell up with pride any time I see that red/white guidon.
Toujours Pret!!
I served as a 19D in B/1/2 from ’95-’99 and went on to get commissioned and serve for another 12 years. Our equipment was several years behind the rest of the XVIII Corps (we knew it, we saw every single other BDE roll trough JRTC with the latest gadgets). We were at the bottom of the list for land and training resources- all priority went to the JRTC. Our doctrine and role within the Army was as unclear as it could be in modern history. We hailed ourselves as a fast-moving, elite, stealthy reconnaissance force, but were seen by the rest of the Army as what we really were: The idiots who brought HMMWVs to a tank fight. The Ops group at NTC informally referred to us as the “2nd MP Regiment.”
That being said, I have never served in a better organization since the 2nd ACR. Lacking all those other things made us focus on the things that really counted. The lack of sexy gadgets brought basic soldier skills and fieldcraft to the forefront of everything that we did. The lack of resources taught us to improvise. Not having well-written and tested doctrine made us write and test our own to fit the situation. The lack of anything to do around Fort Polk forced us to interact with our teammates in our off time- which led to stronger teams.
I didn’t realize how good it was until I moved on to other units and posts where these things were not as strong. When I ran into former Dragoons they would express the same sentiments. Of the thousands of Soldiers I have served with since, I still feel the closest to the hundreds that I served with in those years.
Hooah, sir! The Regiment is the tip of the spear once again.