Tradition of excellence

Photo By Spc. Philip Smart | Sgt. 1st Class Robert Apala, an infantry first sergeant from Ada, Okla., rushes to his objective with a M240B medium machine gun during his unit's Spur Ride near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 4, 2012. The first sergeant earned his cavalry spurs, along with 42 of his fellow troopers. He is assigned to Alpha Troop of the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and has been deployed to Kuwait since July 2011.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

01.06.2012

Story by Spc. Philip Smart 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - The 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry kicked 2012 of with a bang with a competitive cavalry tradition. The first week of January 46 soldiers in the 1-180th competed in their Spur Ride.

Each of these soldiers had to meet the prerequisites set by the squadron to even compete, which entailed being MOS qualification, the completion of one annual training or deployment with the squadron, a passing Army physical fitness test within the last 12 months of at least 70 points in each of the events, a score of at least sharpshooter in Army marksmanship, and lastly and most importantly, possessing the spirit, determination, cunning and initiative in the finest traditions of the United States Cavalry.

The Spur Ride was led by 1st Sgt. Mitchell Thomas, of C Troop 1-180th, the senior spur holder for the squadron. With teams assembled the competitors embarked on the course consisting of nine stations.

First, a communications station in which the soldiers were tested on the set up and operations while sending up various reports and calls for fire.

Second was a weapons station where they were tested on maintenance and familiarity with various weapons systems.

Then came a vehicle maintenance station, followed by a combat lifesavers station, next a react-to-direct and -indirect fire station, 2-mile boot run, a day and night land navigation course, all while doing calisthenics and made to do other vigorous physical activities by the station graders, all of which were experts in the field they were grading.

After all this they would come to the final station a recitation from memory of Fiddler's Green, with the full vigor of a true cavalry trooper. When all was said and done 43 soldiers completed and are to be awarded their gold spurs, an honor earned by each and a proud moment for any trooper.

• Date Taken: 01.06.2012
• Date Posted: 01.19.2012 06:53
• Story ID: 82551
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW