The Thoroughbred

The newsletter of the 2d Cavalry Association

1 September 2025

President’s Message

Dragoons!

Although you haven’t heard much from your Board over the summer, this issue of The Thoroughbred illustrates that this has been a busy group. Please take some time to review the many items that our Editor, John MacEnroe, highlights. We continue our march forward to a stronger organization that remains relevant to our veterans and current dragoons.

Nothing that is done in the name of this Association can be done without the generosity of time and treasure by our members. My thanks to all those that are currently volunteering to fulfill our mission: whether in the history projects that Matt Simon is spearheading or in the planning and execution of events or the donation of funds. Or, by simply sharing your story with us about your service in the Regiment. More opportunities to volunteer will arise as we build upon our current base. We are really limited only by the imagination and commitment of our members—YOU.

Frank Hurd, Mike Kalinoski, Jack Waldron and I traveled to Germany in late July. We traced the movements of the Regimental CP for April 1945, visited Neukirchen where the 2MCG held a horse show in July 1945, spent some time at the Museum in Moedlareuth and were feted to a wonderful explanation of Czech border guard life at a small museum in Rozvadov. If these weren’t enough, we visited Hof to see the marker that was installed last May. The Bundeswehr could not have treated us better. Despite rain, they had a tent set up near the marker and Colonel Grefe, the post commander, led us in a toast.

Here we are with COL Grefe with the marker. His team was absolutely instrumental in making this happen. They paid for the stone on which are marker is mounted as well as the installation.

L-R: Tim White, Jack Waldron, Mike Kalinoski, Frank Hurd, COL Grefe

Despite some very neat historical reconnaissance, the highlight of the trip was the time we spent with the Regiment. We were warmly embraced during three days of a leadership conference focused on war fighting. My take away is that these are very smart, dedicated people who will figure out how to win the next fight.

Our trip concluded with a change of command for 2d Sqaudron. Here is the original Cougar 6 with much younger and better-looking successors

L-R: LTC Muholland (outgoing) LTC Nagy, Frank Hurd, LTC Kruck (incoming)

As we traveled about, we did do some legwork for next year’s REFORGER. One of our last stops was to visit the bus company in Hanau. This will be quite the ride: double decker with seats on the second deck and a bistro on the first floor. More on this trip soon.

Through the efforts of many folks, we continue to strengthen the Association. Remembering that we are an organization of all volunteers, the flywheel of progress can appear to be slow. However, the momentum of this Association is palpable and real. I hope that you will continue to support us and participate when you are able as we fulfill our mission.

Always Ready, Dragoon for Life

Tim White

Critical Need

We have an immediate and critical need for someone who is conversant in SalesForce. This isn’t a permanant position (although it could grow into a leadership role). Our immediate need is to import .csv files from Constant Contact into SalesForce, enter .csv files from Dragoon Base and ultimately resolve duplicates. From there the mission is complete or we can expand your role depending on your level of interest.

Quad squad: 2nd Cavalry Regiment wins Army competition in Europe for fourth straight year By LYDIA GORDON, STARS AND STRIPES

August 28, 2025 Pfc. Jaiden Ramos of the 2nd Theater Signal Brigade patrols the woods during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials event at the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, on Aug. 25, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany — A storied cavalry regiment based in Vilseck will once again represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army’s Best Squad Competition, as it kept its streak alive as the only winner of a theater-wide contest.

The 2nd Cavalry regiment scored its fourth win in a row in the eight-day competition, which ended Thursday. It brought together 10 of the toughest five-soldier squads from across Europe and Africa-based units for a grueling test of endurance, skill and teamwork at the Army’s largest overseas training area in Germany.

The winning squad was made up of Staff Sgt. Seth Peaton, Sgt. James Tranchina, Spc. Devin Schallert, Spc. Reynoso Ruiz and Pfc. Samuel Vittitow.

The regiment’s sniper section leader, Peaton stepped into the role held last year by Staff Sgt. Jordon Behr, inheriting both his billet within the unit and the mantle of best squad leader.

And Vittitow earned individual recognition as the competition’s best soldier, a remarkable achievement given that he’s been in the service for only six months.

“I’m hoping to see how other units fare against ours,” he said. “I’m not going to underestimate them. I know these guys are going to be the best of the best, but so are we.”

Army Sgt. Joshua Botti of the 2nd Theater Signal Brigade prepares his gear for a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials event in the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, on Aug. 25, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Since its inception four years ago, the USAREUR competition has been adapted with each iteration to best reflect situations soldiers face on the battlefield.

“As we see different effects and different tactics used by the Russian forces against Ukraine, and different things that are impacting the United States’ efforts in Europe, of course we take those into consideration and try to work those different variables into our training scenarios,” V Corps’ operations Sgt. Maj. David Huntington said Monday.

While squads receive general guidance on which skills to train for, the exact challenges remain unknown until the competition begins, Huntington said. This year’s version featured three phases, with teams tested in events to include the Army Fitness Test, live-fire ranges, day and night land navigation, endurance rucks, troop-leading procedures, situational training exercises, and written exams.

For the five 2nd Cavalry Regiment members vying for the title of best squad in Europe this time around, the bar had already been set high.

Last year’s USAREUR team took third place in the Army’s overall competition. Their successors will get their chance on the big stage in October, when Fort Bragg, N.C., will host the test to determine the service’s best squad.

The legacy of winning is giving them confidence for the challenge ahead.

“I think competition breeds good soldiers,” Peaton said. “We aren’t actively in a war zone at this moment … so I think that competitions like these will improve our warfighting capabilities and our lethality.”

From the Adjutant

Fellow Dragoons:

Welcome to September—a season in Bavaria for festivals, hard training, and of course, Oktoberfest! For the 2d Cavalry Association, it is also a season to advance our path toward greater professionalism and long-term strength.

Salesforce Support Needed We are seeking someone familiar with Salesforce to help transition our member database. The immediate need is to import a CSV file into the platform as we set up a more robust system for membership and communications. I estimate this project will take about 10 hours. If you are willing to assist, please contact me at [email protected].

Building Professional Partnerships We are excited to announce the launch of the 2d Dragoon Artillery Chapter in partnership with the United States Field Artillery Association (USFAA). We invite all Cannon Cockers, Stone Hurlers, Catapulters, and fellow Redlegs to join! • Go to www.fieldartillery.org • Click Join • Pay your dues and select our chapter Membership also provides automatic enrollment in AUSA, unlocking benefits, discounts, and access to exclusive chapter merchandise through a members-only section of the 2d Cavalry store. We are also exploring the formation of a Cavalry and Armor Association chapter—more details to come.

REFORGER 2026 – Operation Rusty Spur Next June, we will return to Germany for a special off-cycle reunion: • Regimental Cold War sites • Projected Regimental Change of Command • WWII sites in the Czech Republic • A Rhine Gorge boat ride finale • We are designing this with couples in mind, tourist excursions are being planned fo Nürnberg, Pilsen, Coburg, and Bingen. The leadership team is working to finalize hotels, itineraries, and costs. Interested? Full details to be out by the end of September with registration slated for 1Oct-30 Nov. We are limited to 44 participants, so please let us know if you are interested. Registration will close when we reach that capacity. Contact [email protected]. For those who have attended REFORGER before, expect a more upscale experience this time. For those who missed the chance—now’s your opportunity!

Combined Federal Campaign We are honored to announce that the 2d Cavalry Association has been accepted into the CFC. As the season for contributions begins, we encourage you to consider supporting your Association. More details will follow.

This is shaping up to be a great year to be a Dragoon—though, honestly, has there ever been a bad one?

Toujours Pret!

John MacEnroe

Fiddlers Green

I am looking for more information, but want to note the passing of 2 HOW Cannoneer Michael Long, a great trooper and a driving force in the creation of our USFAA Chapter.

History and a First Cut at History

2/2 Change of Command

July 25, 2025

By Tim White

I regret that I didn’t take a picture to capture the thousand words I won’t find to describe what I witnessed. A row in front and a seat to the right I had a perfect profile of LTC Jason Kruck, incoming commander of 2/2. To his right three seats I had an equally candid view of outgoing 2/2 commander LTC Johnny Muholland.

As COL Don Neal, 83rd Colonel of the renowned Second Cavalry Regiment gave his remarks, his words were but a soundtrack to the expressions I watched unfold on these two men. Johnny struggled to fight back the tears, his emotions authentic and very real. He telegraphed deep affection for the troopers he led for the previous two years, a pride borne of their many shared hardships and myriad obstacles overcome. I sensed a deep relief as he passed the tremendous responsibility to LTC Kruck.

Jason’s face spoke to me differently. Eagerness and enthusiasm for what he hopes to accomplish during his command tenure, pride in having reached this pinnacle. Apprehension, perhaps, about the multitude of challenges that lie ahead, his ability to measure against the high standards of the Regiment and his predecessors.

I listened to both Johnny and Jason as each in turn spoke to the command; those of us under the awning were simply spectators, bystanders to the handoff of responsibility that is command.

As much as their words resonated with me, their body language said even more: how the shoulders shed or carried the weight of the lives entrusted to them by parents and spouses across the country, how the jaw clenched straining to hold back overwhelming emotion, how the eyes conveyed care and concern, how their chests moved to exhale the relief from the burden shifted or the deep breath taken for the stamina needed for what lay ahead. Their bodies told me what they didn’t convey in the words they spoke.

With a final salute to the Regimental commander and the dismissal of the assembled troops, the ancient ritual of changing command was completed. While every commander is different, the transition of one commander to another is rich in tradition. The troops in formation, movements initiated by bugle calls, the presence of the colors, the passing of the guidon connect present to the past providing continuity that underpins the core of our army.