By Spc. Rommel Forde
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Candidates with 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, carry a tow bar to their next objective Aug. 8, 2019, during a 36-hour event held at the Air Force Academy. Soldiers completed multiple Soldier tasks while cold, wet, tired and hungry to earn their silver spurs in a cavalry unit rite of passage called a spur ride. The tradition of having to “earn your spurs” reaches back to the beginning of the American cavalry. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Troops persevered through 36 hours of mental and physical training, as they participated in this year’s spur ride with the hopes of joining the “Order of the Spur,” a cavalry tradition within the U.S. Army.
The 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recently completed the event, which took place at a training area at the U.S. Air Force Academy. It began with a 12-mile ruck march with more than 60 pounds of equipment and gear, and was immediately followed by some physically challenging obstacle courses.
In the 1930s, after the transition from mounted to mechanized platforms, the cavalry slowly began to lose the tradition of the spur, as it seemed outdated with the ever-changing Army. However, many of the old traditions were re-adopted during the Vietnam conflict.
“(The event is) a gantlet that incorporates cavalry history to ensure that no traditions would ever be left behind again,” said Lt. Col. David A. Fulton, commander, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., 1st SBCT, who is also the senior spur holder.
Dating back to the late-middle ages, the military significance of the spur has long been a tradition amongst cavalrymen. Mounted warriors who had proven themselves on the battlefield were bestowed with a knighthood.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. —Candidates with 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull a simulated casualty Aug. 8, 2019, during part of a 36-hour spur ride event held at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
“It’s a long tradition in cavalry organizations, and it’s great to finally do one, especially with so many junior enlisted Soldiers that I don’t get to meet with on a day-to-day basis,” said Maj. Daniel R. Bell, executive officer, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., 1st SBCT. “It’s been tough. You definitely feel the physical aspect of it, but still have to have the mental acuity to answer any questions they ask about the history and cavalrymen tasks.”
The spur ride can vary in length from 36-72 hours; the candidates typically deal with harsh weather and little rest.
The event is designed to test leadership, teamwork and pure determination of each “trooper.”
“We are putting these guys through a lot, physically and mentally, but they’re pushing through it,” said Sgt. Michael A. Burke, Comanche Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., 1st SBCT. “As a spur holder it’s good to see how dedicated they are to completing this event and earning their Spurs.”
Participating in the spur ride isn’t something every trooper in a cavalry unit gets to do; Soldiers must first be nominated, and there are certain criteria and standards that must be met. For example, this year’s troopers must qualify “expert” on their M4 rifle, have scored over 240 on the Army Physical Fitness Test, and must be knowledgeable on cavalry tasks and able to memorize the cavalryman’s poem titled, “Fiddlers Green.”
“The tradition of being a cavalryman has been passed down from generation to generation,” said Spc. Jonathan Peete, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT. “It was a really tough event, especially with the cramping issues I had to deal with, along with trying to keep the motivation up on my team, but we pushed through and completed the event.”
Sixty-five Soldiers completed the spur ride and those who were able to complete the entire event were awarded their spurs and inducted into the 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg. Order of the Spur. The induction symbolized their expertise as cavalrymen, mental and physical toughness, and was a testament to their readiness.
“The spur ride is a perfect combination of physical strength and mental fortitude,” Fulton said.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. —Lt. Col. David A. Fulton, commander, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, presents Pfc. Ivan Chait with the Order of the Spur Aug. 9, 2019, during a ceremony at the Air Force Academy. Chait was one of 65 candidates who successfully completed the 36-hour grueling cavalry rite of passage. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. —A spur holder puts spurs on an awardee after successful completion of the 36-hour event Aug. 9, 2019, held at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Lt. Col. David A. Fulton, commander, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, addresses Soldiers following a squadron Spur Ride Aug. 9, 2019, at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)