After the World War
TacomaDave May 15th, 2008
Any chronicle of an organization in peace time is necessarily not as filled with adventurous and exciting events as that of a war period. Officers and enlisted men of the regiment are well acquainted with happenings in the command since the World War. The record as set forth here from the late war through the year 1936 is intended as a faithful story of the highlights of the regimental history.
The Cavalry School was reestablished at Fort Riley following the World War. In order to illustrate the teachings of this school in a practical way, it is necessary to demonstrate the principals taught, by the use of troops. The Second Cavalry was brought to the post primarily to carry out this important duty. The training of the regiment has been carried on to the present time primarily to put into practice this idea. Since the Cavalry Board is also located here, the troops are constantly testing equipment for it. In addition, the regiment must carry on routine training to fit it for active field service.
It was necessary to carry on a recruiting campaign in order to bring the depleted numbers of the organization to working strength. This effort was successful and by the end of the year 1920, the present strength was twenty-eight officers and 964 enlisted men. During this period many soldiers took advantage of the new Educational and Vocational system of schools which offered courses in elementary, grammar, and high school subjects. Enlisted men also took advantage of the recreational athletics, musical and dramatic entertainments, service club, and library.
Before the World War the breeding of riding horses in this country was not done along scientific lines. Many of the horses on ranches and farms were sired by stallions which were not registered or pure bred. The result was that, except for racing animals, there were comparatively fewer horses in this country than in Europe capable of performing in a proper way either in the army or in civilian hands. Continue Reading »
