They were a cavalry regiment; now they're an infantry battalion. It happened on April 12 at the Clark County Armory in Las Vegas, where the Nevada Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 221st Cavalry Regiment made the transition and donned the blue cord of the infantry.
"Moving from armor to mobile infantry doesn't make this unit lighter; it makes it more relevant, more responsive and more lethal," explained Army Brig. Gen. Randy Lau of the Nevada Army National Guard. The move is a part of a larger reorganization within the Army based on directives from the President and the Secretary of Defense.
As a part of the transition, the unit will replace its armored vehicles with Infantry light attack vehicles. The idea is for the unit to be more agile, reactive, and fast-deploying.
About 160 soldiers participated in the ceremony, which kicked off with a six-mile road march. The soldiers then donned the blue cord for the first time, including Army Sgt. Jessica Tanonaka, who became the first woman in Nevada National Guard state history to carry the infantry title.
"We've always endured change," said Army Lt. Col. Michael Moya, who is the commander of 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry. "We've always adapted and always exceeded the mission. I am thoroughly excited about this transition to infantry. It makes me proud that when I joined this organization, I came in wearing this cord, and I get to leave this organization wearing the cord."
