History of the National Guard in Geneseo

The command element and the main body of A 2-108 Infantry is located in Geneseo, New York. Geneseo has a long and glorious military history. During the militia times prior to the American Civil War, Geneseo hosted the regimental commander of the 94th NYSM, 39th Bde., 22nd Division. His name was Colonel James Wood Junior, a prominent Geneseo lawyer. Colonel Wood was promoted to Brigadier General in 1854 and placed in command of the 27th Brigade, New York State Militia. General Wood volunteered to the lead the 136th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He had to take a demotion to Colonel in order to lead the regiment. The 104th NYVI Infantry mustered at Camp Union which was located at the top of upper Court Street in Geneseo. Major General James S. Wadsworth lived in the mansion across the street from the armory. He served as the 1st Division commander of the Ist Corp at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Iron Brigade fell in under his command. General Wadsworth was killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.

The following is the lineage of A 2-108 Infantry headquartered in Geneseo.
1914-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry. Armory located in Avon, New York

1916-Troop M deployed to the Mexican Border

1917-Troop M was called up for Federal Active Duty to serve in WWI. The 1st NY Cav was broken up to form machine gun battalions in the 27th Infantry Division. This is where the modern A 2-108 got its nick name the "Roughnecks" from. General John F. O'Ryan was the commander of the 27th Infantry Division which was made up of primarily New Yorkers. The General was one of the few National Guard Division Commanders to remain in command throughout the war. The soldiers in his division were known as "O'Ryan's Roughnecks."
1919-Troop M is reorganized in Geneseo at the Armories present location.
1922-The indoor riding hall is completed which today serves as the drill floor.

1929-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry re-designated as Troop I, 121st Cavalry
1940-Re-designated as Troop B, 101st Cav.
1941-Mobilized for WW II and deploys with the regiment's horses which never return to Geneseo. Troop B, 101st Cav. was split up and formed the nucleus for Troop E and Troop F, 101st Cavalry Recon. Squadron (Mech).

1944-101st Cav. deploys to the European Theater.
1945-Enters the front line at Emmerswailer-wadgasser, Germany. On V-E Day, 101st Cav. was attached to the 101st Airborne at Saelfelden, Austria. The 101st Cav. was redeployed to Camp Campbell, KY and began training for combat against the Japanese. The war ended before the regiment was deployed and the men were sent home.
1947-27th Mechanized Cavalry Recon Company, 27th Infantry Division was organized.
1948-Re-designated the 27th Mech Recon Co., (Company dropped the Cav designation.)
1955-Re-designated Company A, 27th Recon Battalion.
1959-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Armor, 27th Infantry Division.
1963-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Cavalry.
1963-Geneseo Armory is upgraded.
1968-Re-designated Troop B, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry
1975-Re-designated Troop C, 1st Squadron, 101st Cav. with detachment in Hornell.
1990-Re-designated D Company, 1-108 Infantry, 42nd Infantry (Mech).
1995-Re-designated A Compnay, 1-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).
2005-Re-designated A Company, 2-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).

The unit history series will continue with the lineage of the 108th Infantry as well as the lineage of the Batavia Armory.

May Drill and pictures from April Drill

Next drill is 3,4,5,6 May 2007, a MUTA 7 at Ft. Drum. Pack for cold and wet conditions. We will be qualifying on 240B, SAW and M4/M16. A Co will be conducting the M4/M16 zero range and qualification range. First formation is 1930 hours Thursday, 3 May. Uniform is BDU/ACU.

Next Admin meeting is 23 April in Geneseo at 1900 hours. The last day to request a SUTA is Friday, 27 April.



Searching suspicious vehicles and their occupants.

Learning about ole' ma deuce. Sgt. M says, "Head space
and what time is it?"

Searching a suspicious family truckster at a TCP
(Traffic control point)

Seedy looking cadets being detained.

SSG H. discusses a possible IED



Early morning roadmarch. Whaddup with the
Snow in mid-April, must be global warming.

The Little Rock Arsenal now the Museum of Arkansas Military History. 1SG O. traveled to Camp Robinson in Arkansas for a conference on future operations. Of course there were museums to be visited. As all New Yorkers know, we can thank Little Rock for the Clintons, but little did we know that General Douglass MacArthur was born in this very building in 1880 while his Father served in the U.S. Army at the arsenal.

April Drill

HAPPY EASTER!!!

April drill is Friday-Sunday, 13-15 April. First formation is 0730 Friday morning in PT uniform. We will conduct PMI, PCIs and CIF on Friday. On Saturday, the company will go to the field for training. Saturday will be an overnighter in the field, packing list will be published in the newsletter. Sunday morning the company will conduct a 7 mile road march back to the armory. Selected personnel will attend the TAG match at Camp Smith. The last day to request a SUTA is Thursday, 5 April (6 April is Good Friday). The next training meeting is Monday, 2 April at 1900 hours in Geneseo. Have a Happy Easter!

A Company conducted a change of command ceremony for March drill

Captain H. holds formation with Company A for the last time.

Major B. passes the Company guidon to the incoming commander, First Lieutenant S.

March drill 2007

Next drill is Saturday and Sunday 3/4 March. Report time is 0700 hours and first formation is 0730 hours in PT uniform. 2nd Platoon will report to the Geneseo Armory. At 0900 hours we will conduct a change of command ceremony. At 1000 hours there will be an FRG meeting for families and soldiers. The rest of the day will be spent on Commo and First Aid training.

December Drill

The Family Readiness Group (FRG) put on a good X-mas party this year. They decorated the armory and set up a ton of food. After our awards ceremony and mandatory yearly briefings we engaged in what we call "Bunker Activities." The Bunker for those who do not know is our incorporated Soldier's Club. Examples of Bunker activities would be poker and beer pong.

Capt. V receives the ceremonial A Co 2-108 guidon from SFC R . for his service as our CO.

Medals and Certificates of Appreciation given out to soldiers for their efforts in Hohenfels, Germany June 2007.

December Drill

Next drill is Saturday, 9 December at the Batavia Armory. First formation is 1000 hours in dress greens, report time is 0930 hours. Please bring your families to first formation for the annual Company A christmas party.

Next company training meeting is Monday, 27 November at 1900 hours. The training meeting will be in Geneseo. PSGs, Section leaders and PLs are expected to attend. Every platoon should have a representative.