Welcome New Soldiers to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 504th PIR

A Letter from the Commander

"American parachutists -- devils in baggy pants -- are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."

--(An entry in a German officer's diary found after the battle of Anzio)

Dear Paratrooper,

Welcome to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the "Devils in Baggy Pants." I am confident that you will find your tour of duty here challenging and rewarding, and that you will have ample opportunity for personal and professional fulfillment.

The 504th PIR has a distinguished history of proud service to this nation, as does the 82nd Airborne Division. We are fiercely proud of our reputation as a fighting force, just as we are proud of those Paratroopers who have served under the 504th's colors before us. We remain conscious of their achievements as we train for the next time our nation calls.

The 82nd Airborne Division is the most ready combat division in America’s Army. As the lead division of the XVIIIth Airborne Corps, the 82nd singularly maintains the Army’s only strategic forced entry capability. The missions that we are most likely to receive are among the toughest— conduct a parachute assault, strike hard, defeat the enemy, and pave the way for follow-on forces. Our mission guarantees us an intense training tempo, opportunities to deploy and train off post, and the highest priority for resources.

You will find that our standards are high and our training is rigorous. We aim to keep it that way. The 504th PIR is a proud unit with a history of excellence in war and peace, and we expect you to help us maintain the Regiment’s reputation throughout your assignment as a Devil in Baggy Pants.

I look forward to your arrival.

STRIKE HOLD!!

COL Mark L. Stock,
Commanding