The tradition of mules as mascots for Army dates back to 1899, when an officer at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot decided that the team needed a mascot to counter the Navy goat. Mules were an obvious choice, as they were used as haulers for Army gear for generations. Not much is known about the "official" mules until 1936, when Mr. Jackson (named for Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson), a former Army pack mule, arrived from Front Royal, Virginia. He served for twelve years, presiding over two national championship teams. Starting with Mr. Jackson, there have been seventeen "official" Army mules, only one, Buckshot, being female. The current Mule Corps are:
Ranger III (formerly known as Jack): Ranger III, one of the Army Mules, has been on campus since 2011. He was trained by MAJ Anne Hessinger, an Army veterinarian who served at West Point in 2003–2006. Named, like his predecessor, for the 75th Ranger Regiment and all Rangers past and present, Ranger III came to the academy in 2011 as a gift of Steve Townes, class of 1975. He stands at 16.2 hands (66 inches, 168 cm) and is the son of a Percheron mare.
Stryker (formerly known as Abe): Stryker is the half-brother of Ranger III. He was also trained by MAJ Anne Hessinger and gifted by Steve Townes. Stryker stands at a height slightly shorter than his brother.
Paladin (formerly known as Apache and Rocky): The newest member of the group, joined in February 2016, and is also a gift of Steve Townes. Paladin stands about two hands shorter than the half-brothers, and is half thoroughbred rather than Percheron.
The Army Mules are trained by cadet Mule Riders, a part of the Spirit Support Activity of the U.S. Corps of Cadets. The current Army Mule Riders are: Cadet Garrett Dolan, 2021, Cadet Sarah Traynor, 2022, Cadet Kyle Kass, 2023, and Cadet Benjamin Bennett, 2024. Together they are present at many of West Point's athletic events, parades, and other ceremonial activities.
The Mules serve not only as West Point's mascot, but also as the mascot for the entire United States Army.
Also known as "Ernie," known for his advanced training
Raider
1995–2011
Quincy (IL) Notre Dame High School Foundation
Formerly known as "Joker." Known for his reddish color, white star on his forehead, calm demeanor and high level of sociability. Son of a Tennessee Walker mare
Ranger II
2002–2011
Steven Townes, Class of 1975
Also known as "George," known for his small size and shy character. Son of a Quarter Horse mare
General Scott
2002–2011
Steven Townes, Class of 1975
Also known as "Scotty." Known for his large size, beautiful dark coat and skittish tendencies. He is named for Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Willard W. Scott Jr., a former USMA Superintendent and Army Mule supporter. Son of a Clydesdale mare
Paladin
Present
Steven Townes, Class of 1975
formerly known as Jack. The son of a Percheron mare.
Stryker
Present
Steven Townes, Class of 1975
formerly known as Abe. The half-brother of Ranger III
Ranger III
Present
Steven Townes, Class of 1975
formerly known as Apache and Rocky. The newest member of the group, joined in February 2016.
Referencesedit
February 03, 2024
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The Army Mules are a group of mules which serve as the mascots for the United States Military Academy in West Point New York Army MuleU S Army mules 1942 49 Helped in constructing NORAD UniversityUnited States Military AcademyConferencePatriot LeagueDescriptionLive mulesFirst seen1899 The Army Mule mascot at the 2018 Army Navy GameA costumed Army Mule poses with Navy s Bill the Goat USAA CEO Wayne Peacock and retired professional football player Rob Gronkowski during festivities for the 2022 Army Navy GameThe tradition of mules as mascots for Army dates back to 1899 when an officer at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot decided that the team needed a mascot to counter the Navy goat Mules were an obvious choice as they were used as haulers for Army gear for generations Not much is known about the official mules until 1936 when Mr Jackson named for Thomas J Stonewall Jackson a former Army pack mule arrived from Front Royal Virginia He served for twelve years presiding over two national championship teams Starting with Mr Jackson there have been seventeen official Army mules only one Buckshot being female The current Mule Corps are Ranger III formerly known as Jack Ranger III one of the Army Mules has been on campus since 2011 He was trained by MAJ Anne Hessinger an Army veterinarian who served at West Point in 2003 2006 Named like his predecessor for the 75th Ranger Regiment and all Rangers past and present Ranger III came to the academy in 2011 as a gift of Steve Townes class of 1975 He stands at 16 2 hands 66 inches 168 cm and is the son of a Percheron mare Stryker formerly known as Abe Stryker is the half brother of Ranger III He was also trained by MAJ Anne Hessinger and gifted by Steve Townes Stryker stands at a height slightly shorter than his brother Paladin formerly known as Apache and Rocky The newest member of the group joined in February 2016 and is also a gift of Steve Townes Paladin stands about two hands shorter than the half brothers and is half thoroughbred rather than Percheron The Army Mules are trained by cadet Mule Riders a part of the Spirit Support Activity of the U S Corps of Cadets The current Army Mule Riders are Cadet Garrett Dolan 2021 Cadet Sarah Traynor 2022 Cadet Kyle Kass 2023 and Cadet Benjamin Bennett 2024 Together they are present at many of West Point s athletic events parades and other ceremonial activities The Mules serve not only as West Point s mascot but also as the mascot for the entire United States Army Former Army Mules Name Years Donor NotesMr Jackson 1936 1948 Remount Station Front Royal Virginia First official mulePancho 1939 1958 Ecuador Also known as Skippy a gift of Colon Alfaro the Ecuadorian Ambassador to the US and father to two members of the class of 1939Hannibal I 1948 1964 U S Army a six year veteran Originally named Bud and renamed by the Corps of Cadets Hannibal I died in 1964 after being kicked by another muleK C MO 1957 1969 Mr James M Parker of Kansas City Missouri Known to throw his riders retired earlyTrotter 1957 1972 U S Army 35th Quartermaster Pack Unit Fort Carson Colorado Named for his ability to trot long distancesHannibal II 1964 1980 The Hannibal Missouri Chamber of Commerce Originally named Jack Buckshot 1964 1986 A gift of the United States Air Force Academy Exchanged for a ceremonial swordSpartacus 1973 1994 Governor Warren E Hearnes of Missouri Nicknamed Frosty for his white muzzleRanger I 1978 1995 Ranger Association of World War II Son of a Percheron draft mare and a Spanish jackBlack Jack 1985 1989 Senator Albert Gore Sr of Tennessee Died of cancer two days before the 1989 Army Navy GameTraveler 1990 2002 Anonymous Also known as Dan known for his ability to do fancy stepsTrooper 1990 2002 Mr Bob Griffin of Houston Texas Also known as Ernie known for his advanced trainingRaider 1995 2011 Quincy IL Notre Dame High School Foundation Formerly known as Joker Known for his reddish color white star on his forehead calm demeanor and high level of sociability Son of a Tennessee Walker mareRanger II 2002 2011 Steven Townes Class of 1975 Also known as George known for his small size and shy character Son of a Quarter Horse mareGeneral Scott 2002 2011 Steven Townes Class of 1975 Also known as Scotty Known for his large size beautiful dark coat and skittish tendencies He is named for Lt Gen Ret Willard W Scott Jr a former USMA Superintendent and Army Mule supporter Son of a Clydesdale marePaladin Present Steven Townes Class of 1975 formerly known as Jack The son of a Percheron mare Stryker Present Steven Townes Class of 1975 formerly known as Abe The half brother of Ranger IIIRanger III Present Steven Townes Class of 1975 formerly known as Apache and Rocky The newest member of the group joined in February 2016 References editArmy Mules GoArmySports com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Army Mules amp oldid 1199725072, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
