Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. Julia Henry, a Miami native and operations non-commissioned officer in...... read more read more
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- There are few items more symbolic to cavalry soldiers than spurs.
Leaders of 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, “Black Jack,” 1st Cavalry Division, participated in a test-run of the unit’s “Spur Ride” course at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 14.
The leaders’ test-run of the course set up qualification standards for soldiers to take part in future battalion Spur Rides where they can earn silver spurs. Unlike gold spurs, which soldiers earn for deploying with a cavalry unit, silver spurs require a Soldier to complete a Spur Ride challenge.
Both silver and gold spurs can generally be worn in uniform while serving in a cavalry unit.
Spurs are a big part of cavalry history, said Staff Sgt. Jermaine Gilliam, a Northfield, Va., native who earned his own silver spurs more than a year ago.
“I wanted to be part of that history, so I accepted the challenge,” he said of the Spur Ride.
Spur Rides generally consist of a physical fitness test, followed by a test of cavalry knowledge. Soldiers then usually move on to a foot march in full body armor to various stations, where they are expected to complete basic soldiering tasks such as radio operations, weapon assembly and casualty treatment, Gilliam explained.
The goal of the Spur Ride practice run was to walk through the entire course before we have soldiers going through it during real Spur Rides, said Staff Sgt. Chimere Gilbeaux, a medic from Port Arthur, Texas.
The leaders involved in the event marched the whole course with a rucksack and body armor on. They also checked each station and refined the standards for tasks soldiers are expected to complete.
“(The Spur Ride) is meant to be challenging,” said Gilbeaux. “We want soldiers to feel like they’ve earned it when they get their spurs.”
For soldiers taking part in future Spur Rides, there is a lot of history to live up to.
The spur ride is an opportunity to live the tradition of the cavalry, said Pfc. Mike Harris, a Seattle native and a combat medic with 2nd AAB.
Harris joined 1st Cav. Div. less than a year ago, but said he has already seen the importance of the unit’s traditions.
Harris added that being able to come home from the deployment with both gold and silver spurs will really set him apart from peers in different units.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2011 09:20 |
| Story ID: | 74058 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 143 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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