Scott Rutter

Entrepreneur, Businessman, Veteran and Veteran Advocate

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

The Legacy of the Cottonbalers: 200 Years of ‘Damn Fine Soldiers’ posted by Matt Paul

The 7th Infantry “Cottonbalers” Regiment has been fighting America’s battles for more than two centuries. Its story began in 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans, when American soldiers took cover behind cotton bales and repelled the British advance. From that day on, they carried a nickname and a legacy that endures through every generation of warfighters.

When I joined the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment in 2000, I inherited not just a unit, but a history. The Cottonbalers fought in every major conflict since 1798, including the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Each era added its own chapter, but the spirit remained the same: courage, resilience, and excellence in the face of adversity.

Our motto is “Willing and Able”. It is more than words on a crest. It defines the Soldiers who wear it. Whether they fought with muskets, rifles, or Bradleys, every Cottonbaler carried the same burden: to accomplish the mission, to care for their comrades, and to uphold the honor of the regiment.

When we crossed into Iraq in 2003, I often thought of those who came before us. I imagined the soldiers at New Orleans holding their ground behind cotton bales, the Doughboys slogging through the trenches of France, the GIs storming the beaches all over Europe and North Africa. Their courage became our compass. Their history became our fuel.

Two hundred years later, the Cottonbaler legacy still burns bright because of the character of its Soldiers. Countless medals and campaign streamers bear testimony. They were, and are, “damn fine soldiers.” The name means something. It’s a promise passed down through generations: to lead from the front, fight with honor, and never quit.

That’s the story of the Cottonbalers. It’s not just history, it’s heritage. And it continues today in every Soldier who stands ready to serve, anywhere, anytime, in the proud shadow of those who came before.

Cottonbalers and Friends stay tuned for our 11 NOV 2025 Veteran's Day "Damn Fine Soldiers" book pre-launch kickoff. Expect the book website to go live, and more postings, engagements to follow. Let our journey begin- Warning Order and Alert to Deploy, Pre-Deployment training at the National Training Center, Preparing our families, Deployment and preparing for the inevitable. Stay tuned! Damn Fine Soldiers!

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

@MarioNawfal Yikes

[Damn Fine Soldiers @dfsoldiers]

On April 3, 2003, Task Force 2-7 Infantry began the final push to Baghdad International Airport.

What followed was three days of some of the hardest fighting of OIF — and the stand that earned Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith the Medal of Honor.

#DamnFineSoldiers #OIF #MedalOfHonor #Cottonbalers

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/H52fFVEPsH
@BillSpadea

[Damn Fine Soldiers @dfsoldiers]

March 20, 2003.

Task Force 2-7 Infantry crossed the line of departure into Iraq.

Twenty-three years later, their commander is finally telling the full story.

"Damn Fine Soldiers" will be published July 7, 2026.

https://t.co/63OGlkEB38

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/H52fFVEPsH
@DomShow1210

[Damn Fine Soldiers @dfsoldiers]

March 20, 2003.

Task Force 2-7 Infantry crossed the line of departure into Iraq.

Twenty-three years later, their commander is finally telling the full story.

"Damn Fine Soldiers" will be published July 7, 2026.

https://t.co/63OGlkEB38

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/H52fFVEPsH

[Damn Fine Soldiers @dfsoldiers]

March 20, 2003.

Task Force 2-7 Infantry crossed the line of departure into Iraq.

Twenty-three years later, their commander is finally telling the full story.

"Damn Fine Soldiers" will be published July 7, 2026.

https://t.co/63OGlkEB38

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/H52fFVEPsH
@kilmeade

[Damn Fine Soldiers @dfsoldiers]

March 20, 2003.

Task Force 2-7 Infantry crossed the line of departure into Iraq.

Twenty-three years later, their commander is finally telling the full story.

"Damn Fine Soldiers" will be published July 7, 2026.

https://t.co/63OGlkEB38

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/AylbtSfBIZ
I felt compelled to post this article, published earlier this morning, that I wrote 2 weeks ago before Operation Epic Fury began—"Iran: The War We've Been Fighting Since 2003: Lessons from Task Force 2-7 Infantry and the Path Forward."

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/140lRa1qpb

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/140lRa1qpb

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

The Legacy of the Cottonbalers: 200 Years of ‘Damn Fine Soldiers’ posted by Matt Paul

The 7th Infantry “Cottonbalers��� Regiment has been fighting America’s battles for more than two centuries. Its story began in 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans, when American soldiers took cover behind cotton bales and repelled the British advance. From that day on, they carried a nickname and a legacy that endures through every generation of warfighters.

When I joined the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment in 2000, I inherited not just a unit, but a history. The Cottonbalers fought in every major conflict since 1798, including the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Each era added its own chapter, but the spirit remained the same: courage, resilience, and excellence in the face of adversity.

Our motto is “Willing and Able”. It is more than words on a crest. It defines the Soldiers who wear it. Whether they fought with muskets, rifles, or Bradleys, every Cottonbaler carried the same burden: to accomplish the mission, to care for their comrades, and to uphold the honor of the regiment.

When we crossed into Iraq in 2003, I often thought of those who came before us. I imagined the soldiers at New Orleans holding their ground behind cotton bales, the Doughboys slogging through the trenches of France, the GIs storming the beaches all over Europe and North Africa. Their courage became our compass. Their history became our fuel.

Two hundred years later, the Cottonbaler legacy still burns bright because of the character of its Soldiers. Countless medals and campaign streamers bear testimony. They were, and are, “damn fine soldiers.” The name means something. It’s a promise passed down through generations: to lead from the front, fight with honor, and never quit.

That’s the story of the Cottonbalers. It’s not just history, it’s heritage. And it continues today in every Soldier who stands ready to serve, anywhere, anytime, in the proud shadow of those who came before.

Cottonbalers and Friends stay tuned for our 11 NOV 2025 Veteran's Day "Damn Fine Soldiers" book pre-launch kickoff. Expect the book website to go live, and more postings, engagements to follow. Let our journey begin- Warning Order and Alert to Deploy, Pre-Deployment training at the National Training Center, Preparing our families, Deployment and preparing for the inevitable. Stay tuned! Damn Fine Soldiers!

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

Taking Baghdad Airport From Republican Guard: Iraq Veterans Announce New Book https://t.co/qQ1zu0mMNq

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

The Call to Duty: America's Obligation to Our Veterans https://t.co/0z0qfylZCN

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

Taking Baghdad Airport From Republican Guard: Iraq Veterans Announce New Book https://t.co/qQ1zu0mMNq

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

The Call to Duty: America's Obligation to Our Veterans https://t.co/0z0qfylZCN

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

Test! I'm back on the net!

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

I'm back!

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

One of my favorite quotes especially before the cameras went on! "The real war will never get in the books"- Walt Whitman. Well said Walt!

[Scott Rutter @ScottRutter]

https://t.co/VmHZkbtLes