Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Cavalry scouts, Sgt. Vincent Martin, Spc. Ryan Ness, Spc. Pierre Arurang, and Spc....... read more read more
SALEM, Ore. - From the days when Troopers rode horses into battle Cavalrymen have been distinguished by their Stetsons and spurs. That rich tradition lives as the Stetson still sets them apart—however, it is spurs that show the best the Cavalry has to offer.
An Army-wide custom took place at Camp Rilea, March 18-19, as 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, of the Oregon National Guard’s 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team took part in a traditional “Spur Ride” where contestants faced grueling conditions in an effort to earn their spurs under the “Order of the Spur.”
An elaborate set of tasks pertaining to the Cavalry Scout Military Occupational Specialty included map reading, obstacle course, weapons maintenance, call for fire, rappel operations, land navigation, listening post/observation post, military operations on urban terrain, and a 7 mile ruck-sack march under adverse conditions at night.
“After the Spur Ride, those who pass a series of tasks under the exhausting conditions, are honored with silver spurs that they can wear with pride at formal Cavalry events,” said Platoon Spur Ride Master, Sgt. 1st Class Travis Sigfridson.
He was the senior non-commissioned officer who has already earned spurs. “If you see gold spurs it means they were earned in a combat zone.”
Squadron Command Sgt. Maj., Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Jackola, said “This is a continuous operation and it gets difficult; the Troopers out there are really motivated.”
The Spur Ride contest has been around since the Cavalry rode on horses and it initiates new troops, Sigfridson said. He said motivation for the event has been high as it is the first time 1-82 CAV has held a Spur Ride since 2005.
Competitors sacrificed sleep and completed an event that normally takes three days in 26 continuous hours during a drill weekend. The sleep-deprived and physically exhausted Troops who trained for and participated in the event were selected by their command element for meeting high standards within their unit, said Sigfridson.
Those who competed had to prove they are worthy to wear spurs—less than 50 percent of those eligible were awarded silver spurs according to data from the Tactical Operation Center at the Spur Ride.
The 1-82 Headquarter and Headquarters Troop Commander, Cpt. Joseph Snyder, described how honoring Troopers with spurs began during the award ceremony. “The tradition has its roots in Knighthood . . . according to the legend those aspiring to Knighthood would have to perform a task or deed on the battlefield to 'win their spurs.'”
Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Chris Reese, said that the Cavalry is wrapped up in tradition and pride and the key to this event is getting back to the “doctrinal meaning” of what it is to be a cavalryman.
“The guys signed up to be Cavalry Scouts and their getting back to that,” Reese said. “The camaraderie and espirit décor that happens when you see what they are going through makes you feel good.”
Cavalry Scout, Sgt. Vincent Martin, said he already has his spurs and competed in the event for the third time, anyway.
“I signed up to be a scout and this is the type of training I need to stay refreshed and on top of things. By competing we are constantly forcing each other to get better.”
Squadron Operations Officer, Maj. Scott Caughran, summed up the event by saying, “The Spur Ride is based in tradition and when the troops pass this mental and physical test to earn their spurs, they are setting the example.”
Awards were given to top finishers and those who earned their silver spurs.
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2011 18:27 |
| Story ID: | 75335 |
| Location: | SALEM, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Cavalrymen compete - earn spurs at Rilea, by SSG Cory Grogan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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