2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)

2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States). The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, originally constituted as the **Second Regiment of Dragoons** in 1836, is one of the most storied and continuously active mounted units in the United States Army. With a lineage tracing from the Seminole Wars to modern conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the regiment has served in every major American war. Currently stationed at Rose Barracks in Germany, it operates as a Stryker armored cavalry regiment under U.S. Army Europe and Africa, serving as a key strategic response force on the NATO frontier.

History

The regiment was formed by an act of Congress on May 23, 1836, to fight in the Second Seminole War in Florida. It saw extensive service on the American frontier, participating in the Mexican–American War, where it fought at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. During the American Civil War, it was redesignated as the **2nd U.S. Cavalry** and fought for the Union Army in major engagements like the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Gettysburg. The regiment later played a prominent role in the Indian Wars, including campaigns against the Sioux and the Apache. In the 20th century, it served in the Philippine–American War, World War I, and World War II, where it fought across Europe as a mechanized unit. After the Cold War, the regiment transformed into a Stryker brigade combat team, deploying repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan in the 21st century.

Organization

The regiment is headquartered at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. It is organized as a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), with its main maneuver elements being three combined arms battalions: **1st Squadron**, **2nd Squadron**, and **3rd Squadron**. Each squadron contains cavalry troops equipped with the Stryker family of vehicles, including the ICV and the MGS. The regiment also includes a **Field Artillery Squadron** (4th Squadron), a **Brigade Engineer Battalion**, and a **Brigade Support Battalion**. This structure allows it to perform reconnaissance, security, and decisive action operations as part of EUCOM and NATO.

Campaign participation and honors

The regiment's battle honors span nearly two centuries. Its early credits include the Seminole Wars, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. It earned campaign streamers for the Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Philippine–American War. In World War I, it served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. During World War II, it fought from Normandy to Central Europe as part of Patton's Third Army. Post-war service includes the Vietnam War, where it earned a Valorous Unit Award. More recently, it has been awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Presidential Unit Citation for actions in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Notable members

Many distinguished soldiers have served in the regiment's ranks. **Colonel** and later General of the Army George H. Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga," served as a company commander in the 2nd Cavalry. **Lieutenant Colonel** George A. Custer served with the regiment prior to his command of the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. **Captain** Charles King became a prolific author chronicling the American Old West. In the modern era, General David Petraeus, former commander of CENTCOM and ISAF, served as the regiment's 1st Squadron Commander. Other notable figures include Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Wars and World War II.

Heraldry and traditions

The regiment's coat of arms features a dragoon helmet symbolizing its origin as the **Second Regiment of Dragoons**. Its distinctive unit insignia includes the motto "**Toujours Prêt**" (Always Ready) on a scroll beneath a shield. The official regimental colors are white and red. A key tradition is the designation of troopers as "**Dragoons**," a legacy of its founding. The regiment maintains a strong affiliation with its historical battle honors, and its squadrons often use historical nicknames and insignia derived from past campaigns. The regimental song is "**The Dragoons**," and it holds an annual celebration on its May 23rd organization day.