Photo By Mark Matthews | Hesperia, Calif., native Spc. Jenny Etheridge, medic with the 6th Squadron, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Mark B. Matthews
27th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A new Soldier arrives with bags in his hands as he sits patiently, waiting for a representative from his new unit to arrive and integrate him into his new home away from home. Hours go by and he begins to wonder if anyone realizes he's even here. From the beginning his first impression of the unit is one of doubt. One unit in Iraq, with a rich history in properly welcoming Soldiers with open arms continues the tradition and leaves no Soldier left waiting.
The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment "Dragoons," continues the long-standing tradition of the "School of the Trooper," which properly greets and integrates new Soldiers into a unit. The program began in 1836 and has now made its way to Iraq and is ensuring no new Soldier is left in the dark.
"Once (new Soldiers) get here everyone is a Dragoon," said Oxford, N.C., native Lt. Col. Bryan Denny, 2nd SCR, Special Troop commander. "This is just our way of integrating new troops into the regiment.
The Soldiers all come from different places in their military career yet everyone is given the same hardy welcome and introduction.
"Most Soldiers come straight out of (Advanced Individual Training) and a lot of (non-commissioned officers) have never been in a Stryker regiment before," said Denny.
The three-day integration program covers a variety of instructions and information all Soldiers in the unit need to know.
"It's a lot of stuff (Soldiers) need to know, but a lot of it is unit history," said Denny. "It instills a 'Can Do' attitude that comes with being apart of a Stryker regiment."
On the first day of the School of the Trooper program new Soldiers are checked to make sure they have all of the equipment they need like weapons. They are then taken to the range where the Soldiers can properly zero their weapons. Also on the first day, Soldiers are given a welcome brief from the regiment commander and command sergeant major where they are also told some of the rich history that comes with being in a Stryker regiment.
The following days new Dragoons are given important information and courses that range from a chaplain's brief, legal and escalation of force training to counter improvised explosive device classes and a an in-depth first responder's course.
Eventually the Soldiers are taken to their specific units and have hopefully gained a positive first impression of the regiment. They can then immediately begin functioning as a well integrated and fully mission capable Dragoon right from the start.
"What we have here is very rare," said Plano, Texas, native Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hamm, 2nd SCR, STS sergeant major. "We want curb side service for every Soldier that comes to our unit."
The unit recently received the commanding general's retention award and Hamm said it is partially due to the pride that comes from being in the unit that starts the day the new Soldiers arrive.
"Stetsons and spurs go along way," Hamm said. "There's a lot of pride that comes with being a Stryker."
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2007 07:59 |
| Story ID: | 14398 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,040 |
| Downloads: | 995 |
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