Service members earn spurs in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | A 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Squadron leader puts spurs on his Soldier’s boots during the spur ceremony. (Photo by: Capt. Isaac Wilker)  

MOSUL, IRAQ

09.04.2010

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Troth 

Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division

MOSUL, Iraq – Over 100 service members deployed to Iraq joined the Order of the Spurs recently in a tradition that dates back to when cavalry troops rode horses.

The 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, an asset of the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, held a spur ceremony Sept. 4 on a U.S. base in Mosul, Iraq.

The ceremony is a long-time cavalry tradition. In cavalry history, when “green” troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments they needed extensive training in swordsmanship. The troopers were not allowed to wear spurs until they proved their skills.

The tradition is carried on today by awarding spurs to individuals who have shown tactical and technical expertise by completing either a spur-ride or a combat deployment.

“The spurs were given to individuals by their first line supervisor,” said Army Capt. Isaac Wilker, the 1-6 CAV supply officer. “This signifies the trust and confidence the chain of command has in the individual to perform as a cavalry trooper.”

The Order of the Spur is open to any service member assigned to a cavalry unit, regardless of job or branch of service. The 1-6 CAV included several Air Force personnel assigned to them in the ceremony.

“I admit that seeing the spurs and hearing about the spurs was foreign to me,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald Bailey, the airfield manager at Mosul. “I did have to ask some of the Soldiers what the significance of earning spurs meant. As the Soldiers told me more about the spurs and what it meant to them, my first thoughts were, ‘Am I worthy?’”

Bailey and the other inductees received gold spurs, which are only awarded for service in a combat zone.

The spurs also forge a bond between service members that wear them.

“Earning the spurs makes me feel like I am more a part of the team, which is a great thing in a CAV unit where there is a lot of pride in its history,” said Sgt. Heath Hatch, a signal Soldier who earned his spurs.

“To be able to earn my spurs will be – without a doubt – one of my proudest and fondest memories of serving with the cavalry,” said Bailey. “One has to stand out, show true excellence, and prove yourself worthy to earn your spurs; to be able to meet that criteria, and be inducted to the Order of the Spur is truly an honor.”

• Date Taken: 09.04.2010
• Date Posted: 09.27.2010 03:02
• Story ID: 57035
• Location: MOSUL, IQ