In the beginning, they were assigned individual numbers. Some didn't make it, the training was too hard. For the rest, they knew the training was hard but they had the hearts to take it and what ever was thrown at them. The only way they knew they were in Advanced Individual Training (AIT) was when they were allowed to don their soft caps. Sometime during this phase, they ceased to be numbers and became a COHORT unit.

In August, 1984, the Delta Dawgs graduated from Basic/AIT and PCS to the 4th Infantry Division, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 8th infantry Regiment, Mechanized. Here, they were assigned to platoons and met their mentors to the Army, the NCO's. With the leadership of the officers and the guidance of the NCO corp., Delta Dawgs trained hard and became a hard charging infantry unit. While stationed at Fort Carson, the Delta Dawgs participated in Return of Forces to Germany (REFORGER), Desert warfare training at National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin and did many rotations "Down range". From the Captain down to the Privates, the Delta Dawgs were a strong, cohesive unit.

In 1986, the COHORT Delta Dawgs PCS to Coleman Barracks near Mannheim, Germany. They were now 8th Infantry Division, Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, the Crazy 8's! Though they were now Alpha Company, they decided to maintain their Dawg name and became Alpha Dawgs. When the United States bombed Libya in response to the death of American soldiers killed in Berlin, the Army sent the Delta Dawgs to protect the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) command in Heidelberg. When the situation was resolved, the Delta Dawgs had earned a unit citation from General Otis, then USAREUR commander, for protecting the USAREUR command, soldiers and their families.

Delta Dawgs did many field problems in Germany and honed their infantry skills to a precise science. Because they were with the same people for so long, the squads could perform above average units because each soldier knew what they needed to do and knew how the soldier next to them would react as well. Delta Dawgs were on top of their game.

But in 1987, like all great things, the time came when the unit was disbanded. Many left the Army to pursue educations or civilian careers. Others became NCO's, the newest mentors of the Army.

There is much that isn't mentioned in the above history. The blood, sweat and the sometimes hidden tears as we all endured as soldiers. We all shared in happy times and sad times. Sometimes we didn't like each other; but God helps the person who tried hurting a Delta Dawg. We all have the stories that make us laugh or reminded us of the cohesive camaraderie we all shared.

25 years after the formation of the Delta Dawgs, Dogs of War, we are prepared to go to our reunion and recall with laughter and camaraderie all the untold stories that we all see between the above historic lines. We were a good unit, with good officers and good NCO's leading good soldiers that were proud to wear the Infantry Chord.