2nd Squadron
"Sabre Squadron"
The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was authorized by an Act of Congress on May 19, 1846. Thus came into existence a new organization in the United States Army: a regiment of riflemen, mounted to provide greater mobility than the Infantry and equipped with percussion rifles to provide greater range and more accurate firepower than the Infantry's muskets or the Dragoon's carbines.
Through six campaigns of the Mexican War, 2d Squadron distinguished itself. On 20 August 1847, General Winfield Scott, Commander of American Forces in Mexico, made the speech from which the first sixteen words have become so important to the Regiment. The Regiment laid bloodied and exhausted from the fierce fighting at Contreras. But even so, each man stood at attention as the General approached. General Scott, who had arrived to order the Regiment to Churubsco for an even more difficult battle, became so choked with emotion over the valor of these men, that he removed his hat, bowed low, and proclaimed: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!" This accolade is emblazoned on the Regimental Coat of Arms, and it is still the source of the Regimental Motto, "Blood and Steel".
The 2d Squadron maintains its combat-ready posture through frequent field training exercises and semi-annual gunnery training, emphasizing proficiency at troop, platoon, section, and squad/crew levels. Command post exercises test the ability of the Squadron to react to situations which arise in combat. Although the Squadron's training takes place in the local training area and environment, it is still expected to be able to move, shoot, and communicate in any climate and terrain throughout the world.
