4-70th spur ride keeps tradition, prepares troopers for deployment

Photo By Spc. Jazz Burney | A soldier with D Troop, 4th Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, checks the identification card of a soldier role playing as an Afghan man, during a security control point lane in the battalion's two-day spur ride at Freisen Nature Reserve Dec. 1.  

BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY

12.01.2010

Story by Spc. Jazz Burney 

170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

BAUMHOLDER, Germany - In a crowd of soldiers, these ones stand out. Donning Stetson cowboy hats in place of berets, and spurs on the back of their boots, cavalry soldiers are distinct. But how do these troopers earn such distinctions? Only by completing a spur ride.

More than 250 troopers with 4th Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, received their spurs after enduring a rigorous two-day battalion-wide spur ride held at the Freisen Nature Reserve Dec. 1-2.

Amid 170th IBCT’s on-going pre-deployment training, leaders of 4-70th Armored Battalion created a spur ride tailored toward their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The spur ride included more than a dozen lanes consisting of medical tasks, cultural key leader engagements, improvised explosive device attack lanes and other combat related senerios. This was done in a way to continue training, while also keeping the tradition of troopers “earning their spurs”.

“Every soldier wants to be apart of a strong team. Our rich history and tradition gives soldiers something to rally around, whether it be a unit crest, a motto or in this case a set of silver spurs,” said Maj. Gregg Haley, a St. Louis native, now the 4-70th Armored Battalion’s operations officer. “This spur ride is training these soldiers up to standard, while also keeping the traditions of the cavalry.”

The origins of having to "earn your spurs" reach back to the beginning of the cavalry. When troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments, they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail. These new troopers were in need of extensive training, especially in the area of swordsmanship from atop a horse.

Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded silver spurs.

Although soldiers no longer use horses or swords, the need of extensive training for combat continues to hold value.

“We are putting our soldiers through intense training to test their stamina both physically and mentally. This event is preparing these troopers for success as they head toward the deployment,” said Sgt. Maj. Wilmer Morales, a Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico native, now the 4-70th Armored Battalion operations sergeant major.

According to Morales, the 400 spur candidates were separated in squads of five, and began the spur ride with an Army physical fitness test in the early morning hours.

Upon completion, soldiers were issued their weapons, compasses, individual meals-ready-to-eat and given instructions describing the 12-mile route they would have to navigate. Each squad of candidates drudged through snow that was sometimes knee deep, to each checkpoint with 35-pound rucksacks on their backs. Many candidates ended their spur ride prematurely, due to frost bite other cold-weather injuries.

“This is a challenge on the toughest mind and body,” said Haley. “The terrain is unforgiving and the weather is absolutely bone-chilling; this is making our troopers dig deep to ensure they don’t quit.”

For many, the final lane was conducted after nightfall. Candidates had to defend their location from invading opposing forces by well planned tactical maneuvers.

A 12-mile ruck march back to Smith Barracks posed the final challenge before the candidates successfully completed their spur ride.

Inside one of the 4-70th Armored Battalion motorpools, new inductees to the “Order of the Spur” received their coveted spurs. Soldiers who previously obtained their spurs placed a set of silver spurs on the back of the boots of the new “spur holders.”

“This is an awesome feeling knowing that I have overcome some pretty drastic environments with my squad. I know that this was no easy task and that this accomplishment is to be proud of,” said Pvt. Jonathan Tompkins, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, now a tanker with C Company in the battalion.

A song called “Gary Owen” played in the background as the troopers prepared to eat their spur meal, having entered into the ranks of cavalry tradition.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2010
• Date Posted: 12.07.2010 06:05
• Story ID: 61492
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, DE