GarryOwen hosts spur ride amid Texas chill

Courtesy Photo | Spouses of the 2nd Battalion, 7th US Cavalry Regiment “GarryOwen,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division shoot digital turkeys at the Engagement Skills Trainer during a unit spouse spur ride at Fort Hood, Texas Nov. 15. The EST event familiarized spouses with basic rifle marksmanship skills and was one of several military-related activities they participated in during the day. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)  

KILLEEN, TX, UNITED STATES

11.17.2014

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – With the temperatures dipping into the low 40s, the day was unusually chilly for central Texas.

However, the cold weather did not put a damper on the enthusiasm of 25 spouses and their families from the 2nd Battalion, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment “GarryOwen,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division as they took part in spouse spur ride, Nov. 15 here.

While spur rides are usually held to test the skills of Soldiers assigned to a cavalry unit, this event was designed to build camaraderie and esprit de corps within the “GarryOwen” family.

“I had a great time and endured the cold weather,” said Nadine Bridgeford, a native of Lenexa, Kansas and the wife of 1st Lt. Logan Bridgeford, a company executive officer with 2nd Bn. 7th Cav. Regt.

Activities during the four-hour spur ride included an obstacle course, firing weapon simulators at the Engagement Skills Trainer, and physical readiness training.

Spur ride organizers said spirits were high as the spouses road marched outdoors to the Warrior Skills Trainer site.

“My favorite was the turkey shoot,” said Katie Ainslie, who is married to 1st Lt. Raymond Ainslie, a platoon leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-7 Cav.

A Litchfield, Illinois, native, Ainslie added, “It was fun going to see what my husband does.”

Upon completion of the day’s activities, participants earned a certificate granting them the right to wear or display silver spurs at all cavalry functions.

“The spouse spur ride went great,” said Capt. Andy Wassel, a native of Rolling Prairie, Indiana and the overall event organizer. “Wives had a great time at the virtual simulator, convoy trainer, and the physical training event. They tried MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and had a chance to prove their endurance on a road march with rifles. Everyone that came out had a great time.”

For upcoming unit spur ride opportunities, spouses can contact their unit’s Family Readiness Group leader.

• Date Taken: 11.17.2014
• Date Posted: 11.17.2014 20:15
• Story ID: 148087
• Location: KILLEEN, TX, US
• Hometown: LENEXA, KS, US
• Hometown: LITCHFIELD, IL, US
• Hometown: ROLLING PRAIRIE, IN, US