Traditions live on in memory, by an act, a custom or handing down a meaningful item. Through the handing down of one particular rucksack, aptly named "True Blue Bobcat Cherry Lieutenant," 5th Infantry Regiment keeps the memory alive of the Soldiers who once served before them.
"I heard that 1/17 Inf. Reg. used a hat with horns and buffalo hair as their Lieutenant tradition," said 1st Lt. Sean Raleigh, officer in charge, personnel officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Regiment. "I have heard of other traditions existing Army-wide but only have knowledge a few. There is evidence that this particular rucksack was first issued out in 1996, but the rucksack itself came with no written history inside it," Raleigh stated. "It is possible that it is another version of an older rucksack that was retired or lost. The rucksack was found in a storage container late last year after the unit was deactivated."
Why a rucksack some people may ask? Rucksacks are still used today by Soldiers just as it was when the Army was first established back in June 1775.
"I would assume [the rucksack] goes along with the foot marching traditions of the infantry," Raleigh stated. "A rucksack being a vessel to carry many different items inside over time, it's like a mobile time capsule."
Tan colored and covered in patches and pins from each Soldier who carried it, the rucksack also has several relics housed inside from Soldiers as well.
"There is a rock with a piece of tape around it that says it is from Afghanistan, photo album, brick, some old unit shirts, an old pair of boots, some maps, old socks and a Time magazine from September 26, 2001," Raleigh said, but the list goes on. "I cannot know for sure," said Raleigh, "but the assumption could be made that the pins and badges were placed there by Lieutenants who had earned those pins through deployments or schools."
Securing the rucksack and its contents is the first on the "to-do" list for Raleigh.
"I plan to add a history log to it that will hopefully be maintained as it is passed on so that future LTs will be able to know for certain how long the tradition has been in place and what different holders have added to the rucksack," Raleigh said. "I also plan to add a few pieces of history to the rucksack myself. Specifically my Airborne wings, AG Shield, expert Field Medic Badge, Air Assault Badge and Ranger tabs alongside the other branch insignias, as neither of those are on the front flap."
As his unit's youngest, most junior lieutenant, Raleigh is honored.
"It is an honor to maintain, care for, and carry on a unit tradition," Raleigh stated. "I am happy I get to add a piece of my Army history to this unit's history. This particular tradition is a way to identify the new lieutenant in the unit and to allow them to feel they are a part of the unit's history right from the beginning of their military career. For the lieutenant it becomes a lasting memory from their first unit. Traditions help us remember those before us and the sacrifices they made that brought us to where we stand now. They help us honor their memories," Raleigh stated. "The Bobcat is the unit mascot, true blue would assign authenticity to the fact that it the person carrying it was indeed the unit's cherry lieutenant."