Big Deuce VII

Big Deuce VII pictured in 2020

Big Deuce VII (born 2015) is a donkey used as a mascot of the United States Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment.

The battalion first acquired a donkey as mascot in the 1950s, which was imported from Mexico.[1] Big Deuce VII was assigned as unit mascot in August 2015, at age four months.[2] He succeeded Big Deuce VI who had served as mascot since about 1995.[3] According to the U.S. Army, Big Deuce VII is ill-mannered and has a tendency to bite humans.[1]

In addition to Big Deuce VII the battalion has a second mascot, a goat named Short Round.[4] 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment is one of two units in the U.S. Army to be authorized a live animal mascot, the other being the United States Corps of Cadets.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Fort Sill mascots promoted (for now)". army.mil. U.S. Army. 14 February 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Thayer, Robert (February 5, 2019). "'A sense of pride': Army mascots, a donkey and goat, promoted at Fort Sill". Stars & Stripes. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "Fort Sill introduces new mascot". KSWO-TV. August 15, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Meador, Mitch (February 26, 2018). "Female On The Front Line Of Mascots". Lawton Constitution. Retrieved September 22, 2019.