The ceremony allowed several mechanics to fire the main gun for the first and last time, symbolising the farewell to the unit’s current armoured role. “Those last rounds going down range that we knew were out of our tanks – it was definitely significant, but it’s just like closing that door and moving on and embracing the change,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Carson, the battalion’s Master Gunner.
The battalion, which traces its lineage to 1888 militia cavalry companies, served as infantry during the Second World War before returning to cavalry in the post-war period. Its transition forms part of the U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, with the unit leaving the 116th Armored Brigade Combat Team to become an infantry battalion, an official announcement expected on 9 September 2025.
Carson, who deployed to Iraq twice with the battalion, said the day was especially meaningful for mechanics who had kept the tanks operational but never fired the main gun. “They signed up thinking this would be their career path… so it definitely meant a lot to them to… shoot those couple rounds,” he said.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Christopher Miller said the unit’s Annual Training had originally been focused on maintenance ahead of a 2027 rotation but shifted to give every soldier a final tank qualification. “I just want to make sure the crews get that one last chance at tank qualification,” Miller said.
Around 260 personnel took part in the two-week training, which included gunnery, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle operations, live-fire exercises and sniper training. Carson noted tank crews achieved higher readiness than in recent years, despite wildfires sparked by tracer rounds complicating the schedule.
The transformation will bring challenges for a unit with a strong tanker identity. “I think it’s gonna take some time… Different mindset. It’s definitely a big change for the tankers,” Carson said, noting some veterans were less enthusiastic while younger soldiers were excited for new opportunities.
The 3rd Battalion has a long record of service to both state and nation, including mobilisations for overseas operations and domestic emergencies. Awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2024, it recently deployed to Morocco for Exercise African Lion in 2023.
Reflecting on the change, Carson said he would miss “just hearing the big boom go off when those tanks are functioning right and working” but stressed the battalion’s enduring role in its home region. “We’re still going to be Eastern Oregon’s own… we’re still going to have that tight-knit bond within the battalion,” he said.
When fully transformed, the new infantry battalion is expected to have about 600 soldiers, with details of equipment and structure yet to be confirmed. Carson said he was glad the “last round” ceremony captured a historic moment for the unit’s history.
