Bravo Troop B/1-7
| Bravo Troop (B/1-7) | |
| |
| Staff | |
| CO | CPT Bob Stewart |
|---|---|
| XO | 1LT Tom Gerrish |
| 1SG | 1SG Tyler Geki |
| Hierarchy | |
| Superior Unit | 1st Battalion HQ |
| Esprit De Corps | |
Bravo Troop is a sub-unit level organization of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. It is administratively known as B/1-7, this abbreviation is used in MILPACS and avatars. It is comprised of two Platoons, 1st Platoon containing two Sections of Combat Medics (68W) and 2nd platoon containing two Sections of Cavalry Scouts (19D) and one Section of Tankers (19K).
Mission
Bravo Troop, 1st Battalion is an Armor & Cavalry sub-unit of the 7th Cavalry's First Battalion. The purpose of Bravo Troop is to find, fix, and destroy the enemy through direct and indirect fire; as well as providing reconnaissance and surveillance and Health Service Support to the Combined Arms Battalion.
Bravo Company Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)
Currently Bravo Troop employs 3 different Military Occupational Specialties.
19K - Armor Crewman
The 19K Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Armored Crewmen is responsible to operate and maintain the M1A2 SEP V2 Main Battle Tank. Armor Crewmen are responsible to deliver the immense firepower of the M1A2 in combat, with great accuracy. 19K Soldiers are employed in 2nd Platoon only, and provide direct fire support primarily to Bravo Troop. However, M1A2 Tanks have been assigned to support other Infantry operations as well. Soldiers in this MOS also specialize in radio communications, mounted land navigation, routine maintenance and resupply. In Operations Other than War (OOTW), such as Counter Insurgency Operations (COIN), 19K Soldiers train to operate Vehicle Checkpoints (VCPs), conduct presence patrols and conduct convoy escort missions.
19D - Cavalry Scout
In the 7th Cavalry Regiment, Cavalry Scouts (19D) are assigned to 2nd Platoon, Bravo Troop. Cavalry Scouts are the "eyes and ears" of the Combined Arms Battalion Commander, and contribute to the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Capability (ISTAR). Cavalry Scouts are experts on gathering information on the enemy and ground via covert and overt means. Cavalry Scouts employ light or heavy platforms depending on threat and supported callsign requirements. In support of the Combined Arms Battalion, the Platoon can operate light reconnaissance vehicles such as the M1127 Stryker and HMMWV. In COIN missions, Cavalry Scouts conduct vehicle checkpoints, provide rear-area security (RAS), conduct presence patrols and provide convoy escort. Cavalry Scouts, upon completion of both days of the Cavalry Scout Course (CSC) may become qualified to direct Indirect Fires or Close Air Support (CAS).
68W - Combat Medic
68W Combat Medics are the Military Occupational Specialty assigned to provide lifesaving care throughout the spectrum of conflict, including during war down to the Platoon level. Combat Medics are trained in First Aid, Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC), and operation of armored and un-armored Ambulances. Medics are sent to support all Combined Arms Battalion Companies, in a variety of circumstances. Medics can jump from C-130J Aircraft as part of an Airborne operation, or operate M113 Armored Ambulances in support of an Armored operation.
Traditions and History
Bravo Troop is a Cavalry Troop comprised of Armored and Cavalry Scout Soldiers. As such, members of the Troop are authorized to wear the traditional Cavalry Stetson if they are qualified on either the M1A2 SEP V2 or M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Soldiers who do not possess the Stetson wear the Black Beret with Regimental Flash. Soldiers who complete the Cavalry Scout Course may wear Spurs on their combat boots or dress boots while in garrison. Soldiers who complete either the Mechanized Infantry or Armored Career Pathway are authorized to wear the Master Gunner Badge on their uniforms, including on the Army Combat Uniform.
Historical Roles
Bravo Troop has always remained mechanized, but has fielded a wide range of capabilities. In Arma 2, (then) Bravo Company was responsible to force generate and employ 2x Armor Platoons and 1x Artillery Platoon. In late 2011, a 4th Platoon was opened with Combat Engineers. This capability was later transferred to Echo Company, a dedicated Combat Engineer Company. Following the closure of the 15 Series (Artillery) MOS in 2012, the Company was reduced in scope to Armor only. In 2014, following the closure of Delta Company, the Company was re-organized to 1x Armor Platoon and 2x Mechanized Infantry Platoons.
In late 2015, Bravo Company expanded to a 3rd Platoon providing Health Service Support (HSS) capability to the Combined Arms Battalion through Combat Medics. This capability was removed from the company in 2016 and transferred to the Headquarters, and Headquarters Company (HHC). In 2018, following the closure of the 1st Battalion HHC, the Combat Medical capability was reassigned to Bravo Company. The 3rd Platoon has continued to expand both medical and logistics capabilities into 2020, but officially only has Medical MOS.
In late 2020, 3rd platoon was stood down and the Medical MOS was combined into 1st Platoon with the Tanker MOS.
In July 2022, the Tanker MOS was transferred to 2nd Platoon to provide the Troop with a more streamlined Direct Action Platoon. Due to this change, 1st platoon became a support Medical Platoon, and has remained so until today.
Re-Designation from Company to Troop
In 2018, the sub-unit was officially renamed Bravo Troop, by Troop Commander Major Jon Argus, to align more closely with its real role as a Combined-Arms Armor and Cavalry force.
Leadership
The following is a list of Company and Troop Commanders beginning with the most recent.
| Rank | Name | Dates of Service |
| Captain | Patrick Burton | 24 Sep 2021 - Present |
| First Lieutenant | Radu Moraru | 06 Aug 2021 - 21 Sep 2021 |
| Captain | Alex Storm | 01 Nov 2020 - 30 Jul 2021 |
| Captain | Adam Waldie | 20 Jan 2020– 01 Nov 2020 |
| Captain | Mike LaCombe | 09 Sep 2019 - 20 Jan 2020 |
| Major | Rip Tharen | 25 Nov 2018 - 09 Sep 2019 |
| Major | Michael Rosefield | 15 Sep 2018 - 25 Nov 2018 |
| Major | Jon Argus | 27 Mar 2018 - 15 Sep 2018 |
| Major | Dammond Richards | 03 Oct 2017 - 27 Mar 2018 |
| Major | Nate Thumper | 26 Jan 2017 - 03 Oct 2017 |
| Major | Kieran Kastor (Chilicki) | 24 Feb 2016 - 26 Jan 2017 |
| Major | Zachary Larouche | 24 Feb 2016 - 31 Mar 2016 |
| Major | Stefan Baeder | 17 July 2015 - 20 Feb 2016 |
| Major | Dan Emerson | 18 May 2015 - 11 July 2015 |
| Major | Zachary Larouche | 13 July 2014 - 18 May 2015 |
| Major | Mac Way | 01 Jun 2014 - 13 July 2014 |
| Major | Stefan Baeder | 11 Aug 2013 - 31 May 2014 |
| Major | Cameron Burgundy | 04 Aug 2012 - 11 Aug 2013 |
| Major | Ruairidh Duncan | 04 Jul 2012 - 05 Aug 2012 |
| Major | Jake Clarke | 06 Jun 2012 - 04 Jul 2012 |
| Major | Jake Clarke | 27 Mar 2012 - 09 Apr 2012 |
| Major | Nathan Redbeard | 03 Dec 2011 - 24 Mar 2012 |
| Major | Ryan Hartman | 02 Oct 2011 - 03 Dec 2011 |
| Major | Don Nichols | 30 Dec 2010 - 02 Oct 2011 |
| Major | Don Nichols | 15 Oct 2010 - 22 Oct 2010 |
| Major | Marion Francis | 21 Jun 2010 - 15 Oct 2010 |
| Major | Thiago Scout | 15 Aug 2009 - 13 Sep 2009 |
| Captain | Ben | 18 Mar 2009 - 18 May 2009 |
Order of Battle
The Troop currently consists of 2 Platoons, and a Headquarters Section.
| Element | Callsign | Size | Role |
| Troop Headquarters | Warhorse | Section | Company Command Team of B Troop, including the Troop Commander, Executive Officer and Troop First Sergeant |
| 1st Platoon | Atlas | Platoon | Combat Medical Soldiers to support the Combined Arms Battalion. Able to provide advanced medical aid for all combat situations. |
| 2nd Platoon | Sabre & Viking | Platoon | 2nd Platoon acts as the Troop combat team for Warhorse, consisting of;
Viking - Cavalry Scouts. Viking squads utilise advanced equipment to locate, identify, and designate both active hostile targets and also points of interest. These squads can also act as mechanised infantry and excel in combined arms engagements. Sabre - Armoured Section. Sabre elements field the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams MBT, they act as a spearhead in offensive manoeuvres, a steel wall in defensive scenarios, and can effectively and rapidly engage targets designated by Viking elements via the Blue Force Tracking system. |
