Have You Served in the Cavalry or Other Reconnaissance Information Gathering Units?

2014-11-25T02:11:26-05:00

All branches of the military have their own means of early detection and battlefield intelligence gathering. We walk the earth and roam the skies sneaking and peeking. Have you ever had the distinction of serving in a reconnaissance unit? Or in Army vernacular, "You Cav?"

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 6:36 AM

2014-11-25T06:36:24-05:00

3rd ACR Brave Rifles!

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made Nov 25 at 2014 6:57 AM

2014-11-25T06:57:27-05:00

11D MOS served in Recon Platoon of a CSC company and did long tours on the East German West German border.

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Nov 25 at 2014 8:28 AM

2014-11-25T08:28:01-05:00

I was a Mortar, Tank and Scout Platoon Leader in A troop 15th Cav, 197th Inf Bde Sep. I earned my spurs there and it was one of the best times I had in the Army.

Response by CPT Erik Eriksen made Nov 25 at 2014 7:53 PM

2014-11-25T19:53:38-05:00

I served as a Scout Platoon Leader in Bamberg, Germany, in 1/54th Infantry. Although my platoon were all 19D's, we were ordered to participate in the annual 1st Armored Division testing for the EIB (Expert Infantryman's Badge). Normally, only 11's can earn this, but with the approval of the division commander, and soldier in an infantry unit can earn it.

Of my 21 Scouts, 13 earned the EIB. There were only 11 infantrymen in the entire division that earned it, so the division commander decided that my men couldn't be awarded the EIB. I tried everything, including personally going up the chain (I made it as far as the Brigade Commander). The final answer was no. It was a black day for 'leadership'.

But, the Scouts proved to all that they were a step above.

'Scouts Out'

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 3:45 AM

2014-11-26T03:45:44-05:00

Does 1st Reconnaissance Bn, 1st MarDiv, Camp Pendleton, CA 1990-1997 count? Final MOS:8654 Reconnaisdance Man, SCUBA and Airborne qualified.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Nov 26 at 2014 7:56 AM

2014-11-26T07:56:16-05:00

I served 19 years in a Long Range Surveillance Company, and worked with Cav in Iraq.

Response by SGT Steve Vincent made Nov 26 at 2014 8:34 AM

2014-11-26T08:34:11-05:00

12 months with a long range surveillance detachment out of Camp Hovey/Essayons SK.

Then I got stuck in a *insert expletive here* CAV unit out of Fort Hood.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Nov 26 at 2014 8:39 AM

2014-11-26T08:39:23-05:00

Had the pleasure of serving as a Cav Tanker in 4 different Cavalry units over the course of my career: D/1/11th ACR, Fulda, Germany '91-'93; A/1-4 CAV, Ft. Riley, KS '93-'95; A & B/4-7 CAV, Cp Garry Owen, RoK '98-'99 and finally, H/2-16 CAV, Ft. Benning, GA '11-'13.

Worked hunter/killer ops mostly with the M-TOE units and served as SR A-BOLC Instructor with 2-16 CAV training the future Armor/CAV leaders prior to retiring.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 8:59 AM

2014-11-26T08:59:13-05:00

ALLONS! 1st Squadron 11th ACR 74-77 & 79-82 "If you ani't CAV, you ain't......." (a motto that is older than all of us)

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Nov 26 at 2014 9:02 AM

2014-11-26T09:02:05-05:00

LRS Team Leader is the best job in the Army for an NCO. E-6 responsible for Training, planning and execution of dynamic, highly technical missions in support of the Corps intelligence plan.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 9:59 AM

2014-11-26T09:59:09-05:00

1-17 Cav 82nd Airborne, 2-12 Cav 1st Cavalry, 1-13 Cav 1st Armored

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 11:37 AM

2014-11-26T11:37:06-05:00

Currently deployed with the 3rd CAV out of Fort Hood

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-11-26T11:45:02-05:00

Currently deployed with 1/3 CR

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Nov 26 at 2014 11:52 AM

2014-11-26T11:52:50-05:00

I'm a support guy, but I have spent about two thirds of my career in the CAV and boy do I miss it. 2ACR out of Fort Polk 2001-2005, 2-9 CAV which changed to 4-10 CAV from 2007-2011. Awarded combat spurs three times and wenr through two spur rides back in the rear. I still have my stetson sitting in its box on my closet waiting for the day I get back!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 26 at 2014 3:04 PM

2014-11-26T15:04:21-05:00

I would have to say my time with JTF-6 was just that type of mission...so yes, yes I did.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 3:45 PM

2014-11-26T15:45:22-05:00

I am not, or have ever been, a Scout but I have tremendous respect for them. When I enlisted it was a very close second choice and the same can be said when I commissioned.
I've had many awesome opportunities to work along side the Scouts when we conducted dozens of Live Fire Combined Arms In-Stride Breaches in IANG.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 4:28 PM

2014-11-26T16:28:20-05:00

<--- See profile picture. 8 years in the Cavalry.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 26 at 2014 4:43 PM

2014-11-26T16:43:20-05:00

19D...17 fun-filled years... 3rd ACR, 3/4 CAV, 5/14 CAV, 2/14 CAV

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Nov 26 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-11-26T22:52:33-05:00

No I have never served in a CAV unit, but its something I would be honored to be a part of.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 12:40 AM

2014-11-27T00:40:46-05:00

Just a little time "Brave Rifles"

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 27 at 2014 1:57 AM

2014-11-27T01:57:36-05:00

Welcome to the CAV!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 8:11 AM

2014-11-27T08:11:26-05:00

I am currently in the Cav. Just got my Stetson last week!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 8:29 AM

2014-11-27T08:29:26-05:00

I've been the S6 NCOIC of 1-180th CAV, OKARNG for just over a year.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Nov 27 at 2014 9:57 AM

2014-11-27T09:57:07-05:00

Infantry Scout Platoon, Combat Support Company, 82nd Airborne Division.

Response by SGT Ernest Chopper made Nov 27 at 2014 12:44 PM

2014-11-27T12:44:44-05:00

Scout Plt 1/508 Abn. Inf. Ft. Kobbe Panama. Went through the Scout course at JOTC and Sapper leader course. Best time I had

Response by CPT Jacob Czekanski made Nov 27 at 2014 1:10 PM

2014-11-27T13:10:50-05:00

As an 11B, I served in two light infantry battalion reconnaissance platoons (3rd US IN Regt and 2-1 IN). Later served as a 19D in an armor battalion scout platoon (1-107 CAV) and in a brigade reconnaissance troop (3d BCT, 4 ID).

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Nov 27 at 2014 1:35 PM

2014-11-27T13:35:32-05:00

I started my military career as an Aircraft Weapons System Repairer on the AH-1S Cobra's with the only Airborne, Air Cav unit in the free world...1st Squadron (Air)/17th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division in 1987. I started out in Alpha Troop then moved to HHT and finally F Troop (provisional) due to an MTOE reorganization. I had the honor to serve under the best squadron/battalion commander, LTC William "Wild Bill" McGill III. Airborne! Air Cav!

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 27 at 2014 2:29 PM

2014-11-27T14:29:47-05:00

3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (99-02)

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 10:48 PM

2014-11-27T22:48:57-05:00

5-14 and then 2-14 Cav, 06-09.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 27 at 2014 11:07 PM

2014-11-27T23:07:16-05:00

Darn no, I was Signal... and I really liked the Stetsons, too!

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Nov 27 at 2014 11:08 PM

2014-11-27T23:08:54-05:00

Never been Marine Recon, but I've known some Recon guys and frankly those guys are some of the toughest boys in the entire US Military.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 12:55 AM

2014-11-28T00:55:17-05:00

I did some recon work. The only difference is we did it deeper.

F/51st IN, Long Range Surveillance
"Elite Bastards"

Response by SFC Mark Hoover made Nov 28 at 2014 1:46 AM

2014-11-28T01:46:56-05:00

HWB, 1/2 ACR
ISD 532nd MI BN

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 2:55 AM

2014-11-28T02:55:29-05:00

1/278th ACR TNARNG

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 2:06 PM

2014-11-28T14:06:24-05:00

Chaplain Candidate with the 1/158th CAV. Even earned my Silver Spurs.

Response by CSM Charles Turbeville made Nov 28 at 2014 4:00 PM

2014-11-28T16:00:03-05:00

I served as a Cavalry Scout with the 4th Battalion, 68th Armor, 82nd Airborne Division from December 1975 to March 1979.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 2:12 AM

2014-11-29T02:12:58-05:00

3 Deployments with 1st Cavalry Division... they raised me into the NCO I am today. "First Team" If you ever served in any of those units in the image below then we can be friends!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 2:25 AM

2014-11-29T02:25:15-05:00

MAINT TRP, RSS, 3rd CR

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 2:32 AM

2014-11-29T02:32:28-05:00

Best job in the Army. If you ain't Cav...

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 29 at 2014 8:23 AM

2014-11-29T08:23:52-05:00

This is one of my favorite forums so far. Thanks to SFC Mark Merino for posting the question. It really brings back special memories from my CAV days and I love reading everyone's input. No matter where you go or what you end up doing, Once CAV, Always CAV...

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Nov 29 at 2014 3:06 PM

2014-11-29T15:06:12-05:00

I helped boil water to make electricity to push a big black metal tube through the water so SEALs could swim out of an air lock to paddle to the shore to do recon.

Is that close enough? 7:^p

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 3:13 PM

2014-11-29T15:13:23-05:00

I served with G trp, 2nd Squadron, 2ACR 1997-2000

Response by SGT Kyle Taylor made Nov 29 at 2014 10:20 PM

2014-11-29T22:20:57-05:00

1/4 CAV Fort Riley KS for the last 9 years. Been there done that!!

Response by SSG Gordon Hill made Nov 29 at 2014 10:41 PM

2014-11-29T22:41:19-05:00

I served with A TRP 2/10 Cav, A TRP 2/9 CAv and in Korea with B TRP 517 CAV

Response by SFC Matthew Parker made Nov 29 at 2014 11:45 PM

2014-11-29T23:45:41-05:00

D Trp 5th Cav 187th Inf Ft Devens, 2/9 Cav Light Ft ORD, 3rd ACR Ft Bliss, Scout platoon 1-5 then 1-9 Inf Camp Hovey Korea, Scout Platoon 3-69 Armor, 1-64 Armor Ft Stewart, Cav troop Avn Brigade, RISTA Ft Drum.
19D and missing it

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 12:16 AM

2014-11-30T00:16:25-05:00

Oh Crap!

Response by SSG Robert Clark made Nov 30 at 2014 6:58 AM

2014-11-30T06:58:15-05:00

11B In a Cav world. 1-71Cav (RSTA) 2004-2011

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 12:13 PM

2014-11-30T12:13:17-05:00

Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cav Regiment (Stryker) in Vilseck Germany. 2010-2012.
Afghanistan 2010-2011.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 10:15 PM

2014-11-30T22:15:18-05:00

Does MI count? Way back when, I was a 98J (Electronic Intelligence Interceptor/Analyst), which is 35N now.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 1 at 2014 12:49 AM

2014-12-01T00:49:50-05:00

For all you First Team veterans past, present, and future.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 1 at 2014 12:57 AM

2014-12-01T00:57:10-05:00

Garry Owen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKI4GQ4c9g0

GarryOwen - Original Lyrics~7th Cavalry Regimental March

"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the early 1860's. In 1867, "Garryowen" was adopted by the 7th Cavalry Regiment as the offic...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 1:27 AM

2014-12-01T01:27:03-05:00

Here is our colors...they run deep.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-12-02T00:07:04-05:00

1st PLT, B TRP, 1/7 CAV, 1CD

Response by SSG Brian Fernandez made Dec 2 at 2014 12:32 PM

2014-12-02T12:32:19-05:00

Hell yea I was Recon. Every time we got shot at we reported the area. Intel guys would be like" THANKS we have been looking for insurgents in that area!!

For the record we are ALL recon.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Dec 2 at 2014 2:22 PM

2014-12-02T14:22:02-05:00

We are told much like everyone is a safety officer, that anyone who flies above the earths surface is a reconnaissance gathering device......but I have never been assigned to a unit that issues all that western wear........nor attached, but I have received an officer evaluation report from a Squadron Commander, does that count?

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 2 at 2014 3:25 PM

2014-12-02T15:25:34-05:00

19D - CAV scout mainly unmounted - I tried to stay in the field when training to avoid the motor pool. Never deployed. Scouts Out!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 4:21 PM

2014-12-02T16:21:39-05:00

SFC Mark Merino , I served in an R&S Squadron. The cute little cowboy hats were everywhere. Then, I had to get one too. And after doing my spur ride, I know, that if you aint' CAV...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 9:18 PM

2014-12-02T21:18:44-05:00

I'm an instructor at the Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC).
Spread the word, we need quality Recon NCOs to attend as students and serve as instructors. Take the reigns and seek your next assignment here before TRADOC puts you somewhere that won't benefit your career. I have a direct impact on the current leaders of the reconnaissance world (1LTs, 2LTs, SFCs, SSGs), that will have a lasting effect for an entire generation of Scouts. Look us up on Ft. Benning's .mil page.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 4 at 2014 12:13 AM

2014-12-04T00:13:29-05:00

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Dec 4 at 2014 11:38 AM

2014-12-04T11:38:04-05:00

If submariners had a cool hat like that, it'd get in the way when we used the periscope...

Response by SFC William Hutchinson made Dec 4 at 2014 12:09 PM

2014-12-04T12:09:20-05:00

I was lucky enough to help establish and serve from 1988 to 1991 in D Co 105th MI Battalion LRSD (Long Range Surveillance Detachment. this was one of the best units I was lucky enough to serve in.

Response by SSG Louis Marucci made Dec 4 at 2014 12:15 PM

2014-12-04T12:15:50-05:00

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 4 at 2014 2:20 PM

2014-12-04T14:20:43-05:00

21 years in the Naval Security Group. Yeah I would say I was involved in Reconnaissance Information Gathering. Although for the first 2/3 of that career it was from continents away from my target while the last 1/3 was Tactical Intelligence which is sticking your finger in someone's eye to see how he reacts.

Response by SGT Olivia Calderon made Dec 4 at 2014 3:01 PM

2014-12-04T15:01:45-05:00

3 years 4/10 CAV Ready and Forward...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 12 at 2014 3:34 AM

2014-12-12T03:34:01-05:00

Where are the Recon Marines at? (we will probably never know) lol.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 1:10 PM

2014-12-12T13:10:40-05:00

I spent roughly four years as a combat medic assigned to 1-33 CAV, 3rd BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT). War Rakkasans!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 13 at 2014 11:59 AM

2014-12-13T11:59:30-05:00

No, but SFC Mark Merino, when you finally got to where you were going, SF troopers were already there, maybe offering you a cup of coffee! :)

Response by SSgt James Stanley made Dec 14 at 2014 5:08 PM

2014-12-14T17:08:16-05:00

I served in the USAFSS forerunner of the present AFISR.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Feb 28 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-02-28T12:46:07-05:00

OSUT and TC Holderover - A-6Cav-1 (Knox) 82-83; A 4-7 Cav, Korea 83-84; A & B 1/4 Cav, Riley, 84-87; B 4-7 Cav Korea 87-88; HHT/B 5-17 Cav Korea 88-90.

90-91 at NTC assigned to Ops Group and attached out a few times with 1/52 Inf, 177th BDE. No Cav at NTC at the time. A few years later, 177th BDE changed over to 11th ACR.

91-00 was a Contactor, besides Armor and Inf units, worked with the Cav quite a bit also.

"Once Cav, Always Cav"

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Feb 28 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-02-28T12:52:34-05:00

4-7 Cav - 2ID

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtC0p59RZLs

4th Squadron 7th Cavalry - 2ID/Korea - 1965 to 2015

Since 2ID returned to Korea in 1965. 4th Squadron, 7 Cavalry has been present since then, except for a 8 year period, 1988-96. In this 50 year presence, the ...

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Feb 28 at 2015 1:06 PM

2015-02-28T13:06:07-05:00

3/124 Cav And 1/124
Cave one of my absolute military treasures.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 28 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-02-28T13:11:38-05:00

Yes, I was commissioned as Armor Officer, and went to a CAV unit. But, I spent most of my almost 33 years as a MP, and one of the MP missions is intelligence gathering both in garrison and in combat; both specified and implied and depending the mission.

As a former Scout PL, and Armor Officer, the easiest way for me to explain the MP mission(s) on the battlefield to Supported Commanders who that did not know (most understand now), was a comparison to what Scouts did in terms of screening and covering the front and flanks, MPs do/did the same in the rear, in a traditional linear mission. Light Scouts look just like MPs.. or we look like them?

Today, the missions are wide area security and maneuver and mobility support (used to be area security, which include area, zone, and route reconnaissance) as a component of other missions; hence the implied task.

The other specified mission we have is Police Intelligence Operations, which is essentially collection and processing of Police and Criminal Intelligence both in Garrison and in Combat, where as our Cav brothers focus on Tactical Intel.

I also worked for 1st Cav during the Surge... If that counts.

That is 2LT me and 2LT Greg Martin at Airborne School in 1985...

Response by PFC Claude Cooper made Aug 19 at 2015 2:07 AM

2015-08-19T02:07:26-04:00

6 squadron 17 cavalry regiment. .

Response by SFC Mark Williams made Sep 13 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-09-13T14:20:14-04:00

Yes! D Troop 3/12 Air Cav and C Troop 1/1 Air Cav!

Response by CW2 Jim Hill made Dec 18 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-12-18T16:31:08-05:00

Air Cav Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Quan Loi, RVN 1969

Response by SFC Michael Pridgeon made Mar 20 at 2017 2:38 PM

2017-03-20T14:38:32-04:00

19D,3,E9er - 11.5 years ...Bradley, Hummer, flattop and leg...I have fun in all the mods

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2017 2:03 PM

2017-05-15T14:03:37-04:00

Yes I have;

H. Co (Long Range Surveillance) 121st Inf
134th Long Range Surveillance Detachment
C. Co (LRS) 3/124th Cavalry Sqdn.

We wore Maroon Berets! Not any Stetsons. I kind of thought it was funny on our Squadrons logo at Sqdn. HQ it had a Ranger Tab and Master Parachutist Wings....yet the only folks wearing those two items were the Sqdn's sole Infantry Co. the C. Co (LRS).

Overall I got a bad taste in my mouth for the Cavalry, based on my experience with them.