173rd Airborne Soldiers and Estonian scouts earn their spurs [Image 1 of 8]

PALDISKI, ESTONIA

08.01.2014

Photo by Sgt. John Carkeet IV 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

Sitting on of a horse provided by the Perila Ranch, 1st Sgt. Christopher J. Valverde, a Long Beach, Calif., native serving as first sergeant for Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, holds his unit’s guidon during the closing ceremony of the 173rd Airborne’s first spur ride in Paldiski, Estonia, Aug. 1. Honoring the traditions of medieval knights and 19th century U.S. cavalrymen, a spur ride is a rite of passage for Soldiers of any country serving in or with an Army cavalry unit. Candidates who endure the physically and mentally exhausting ordeal earn the privilege of wearing spurs on special occasions. Approximately 600 paratroopers from the brigade are deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve to foster closer relationships with allied forces and demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations. (Photo by Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary))

• Date Taken: 08.01.2014
• Date Posted: 08.20.2014 04:58
• Photo ID: 1511261
• VIRIN: 140801-A-DB402-0196
• Resolution: 2125x4210
• Size: 6.23 MB
• Location: PALDISKI, EE
• Hometown: LONG BEACH, CA, US