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Once a Dragoon always a Dragoon

Feb-11-2010 » Filed Under: 2nd SCR

2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Public Affairs Office

Vilseck, Germany – In 1986 a young private, fresh out of training, reported to his first duty station in Bamberg, Germany. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and spent most of his days patrolling the German and Czech borders. Now, 24 years later, Sergeant Major Michael Fox's career came full circle to bring him back to 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

Fox is happy to be back where it all started for him. Reporting to 2SCR on January 28th 2010 was like coming home for the newly promoted Sergeant Major.

“It’s great! Since I left the first time, I always said that I wanted to come back.”

As time and his career progressed, Fox began to feel like rejoining the regiment was an impossible goal. His various duties took him all over Europe, the United States, and Korea. Now with 12 permanent changes of station under his belt, he hopes to settle down and eventually retire as a part of 2SCR.

While stationed in the states, Fox had an opportunity to join up with ACR when it was located in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Unfortunately for him, the Regiment reflagged back to Germany before he was able to move over. His last chance to join 2SCR slipped through his fingers as well, even though he had the orders in hand. Fox’s name appeared on the Sergeant Major promotion list which meant 2SCR didn’t have an available position open for him. The 172nd Infantry Brigade was preparing to deploy around that time so they took Fox on as their rear detachment Sergeant Major.

“Rear-D is a tough job it’s not anything that I would like to do again. I had a lot of responsibility so I learned a lot, but I missed a lot as well. I would leave before my family woke up and arrive home after they went to bed.”

Looking to the near future, Fox is excited to get to work as the Operational Sergeant Major for 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

“If I can leave that squadron better off than when I first take it on then I will have accomplished what I set out to do.”

To Sgt. Maj. Fox camaraderie and motivation are important aspects of the regiment.

“It’s a different deal here. Here, everyone’s the same, everyone wears the same crest. Morale is always higher in the Cav.”

He feels like he is finally where he was always meant to be and looks forward to working with in the Regiment. Fox is proof that the 2SCR saying “Once a Dragoon, always a Dragoon” rings true.


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