2CR establishes Cavalry Corner to boost community morale

Photo By Staff Sgt. LaShic Patterson | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Burke, (far left) the senior enlisted advisor to the 2d Cavalry Regiment, and Col. Thomas Hough, (right) the regimental commander to 2CR, prepare to cut the ribbon during the grand opening of Cavalry Corner in Vilseck, Germany, Jan. 31, 2020. The Cavalry Corner was created to build morale among Soldiers and members of the community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. LaShic Patterson)  

VILSECK, BY, GERMANY

01.29.2020

Story by 1st Lt. Connor Coombes 

2d Cavalry Regiment

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their families, the 2d Cavalry Regiment recently collaborated with the American Red Cross and United Service Organization to establish the first 24-hour facility on Rose Barracks in Vilseck Germany, with its grand opening on Jan. 31, 2020.

Known as Cavalry Corner, the space is intended for Soldiers and their families to build esprit de corps among members of the community.

Cavalry Corner takes the space that was previously occupied by the Stryker Inn, which served as a grab and go dining facility for meal card holders. With the Stryker Inn, regimental leaders sought to rectify the nutritional sacrifices Soldiers often made by providing healthy food options in an expeditious manner during breakfast and lunch hours.

The Stryker Inn initiative nested itself among a larger U.S. Army project to provide kiosks in convenient locations to Soldiers on installations. Teams of three to four culinary specialist Soldiers ran these kiosks, providing pre-packaged but nutritious food items that could be purchased.

However, through the Calvary Corner, 2CR leaders intend to continue providing this beneficial service, while also implementing additional amenities and features.

To this end, the Cavalry Corner features big-screen TVs, dart boards, foosball, ping pong, pool tables and free high-speed Wi-Fi. In addition to these recreational amenities and nutritional food services, the Cavalry Corner will also host unit family readiness group functions, such as potluck dinners.

The new development aims to address a significant deficiency which affects the lives of Soldiers living in the barracks, many of whom are single and junior enlisted. Six out of 23 barracks in the community do not have a dayroom or the capacity to build a dayroom, the usual space where Soldiers living in the barracks can socialize.

“I think this place is going to be great for Soldiers simply because it gives them an alternative place to hang out from their barracks rooms, where they can socialize and meet new people,” said Spc. Elijah Tuten, a medic assigned to the Regimental Support Squadron, 2CR.

The facilities will host a USO contingent on Rose Barracks, which will prevent Soldiers from having to make a 25-minute commute to the nearby Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr, Germany, to utilize its services. Consistent with the organization’s mission, this contingent will offer around-the-clock hospitality to Soldiers and their families.

“Cavalry Corner will definitely boost morale by providing a center for Soldiers and families to come together and relax after a long day,” said Capt. Rodney Anderson of the Regimental Support Squadron, who served as a project manager for the renovation.

The grand opening for the Cavalry Corner will take place in a ceremony this Friday, just in time for patrons to view the Super Bowl on the lounge’s TV.

• Date Taken: 01.29.2020
• Date Posted: 01.31.2020 12:46
• Story ID: 360787
• Location: VILSECK, BY, DE