Photo By Sgt. Joshua Edwards | U.S. Army Sgt. Andre Lobban, a spur candidate with Palehorse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd...... read more read more
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - U.S. Army Troops are always looking for ways to show they are a step above the rest. Cavalry Troops distinguish themselves by earning spurs. Troops with 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment participated in a spur ride Nov. 27, and 28, at Rose Barracks, Germany.
The “Order of The Spur” has been an important cavalry tradition since its creation in 1775. A horse with a shaved tail would be given to a new troop arriving at a cavalry unit. The troop would not be given spurs until extensive combat training, while horse-mounted, was completed. They would have then distinguished themselves worthy of the title.
Today cavalry units have adapted to modern technology that is required for operations on today’s battlefield and no longer ride horses, but the tradition is still alive and well especially for Troops with 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
Tradition is an important part of being in the U.S. Military and by participating in the spur ride Troops with 4th Squadron were given the opportunity to show they are experts and worthy of the cavalryman title.
“As a cavalry organization we are esteemed in tradition and honor,” said Lt. Col. Christopher L. Budihas, commander of 4th Squadron and native of Jacksonville, Fla. “Showing proficiency as a cavalryman and demonstrating the expertise in those areas proves that you are worthy of wearing the spurs that are associated with the cavalry organization.”
The opportunity to earn spurs is not afforded to every troop assigned to a cavalry unit. Certain requirements must be met in order to be recommended for the event.
“The candidates are selected by their command,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Ochsner II, senior enlisted advisor of 4th Squadron and native of Waukegan, Ill. “Sergeants and above must meet certain prerequisites. They must score over 250 on a PT [physical fitness test] test, 40 minutes on a five-mile run, shoot sharp-shooter or higher and no UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice]. Once they have done that they write a two page essay.”
Events like the spur ride help Troops maintain pride in the cavalry unit they are assigned to and awareness of what makes their organization great.
“It’s important to keep the tradition going because it’s what makes cavalry units, in their own way, unique, and at the end of the day, traditions like that are what keep unit morale and pride high,” said 1st. Lt. Andrew Gregory, a spur candidate with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron and native of Fort Wayne, Ind. “I’m not going to leave 2nd Cavalry Regiment without silver spurs.”
Earning spurs is just a part of what the event is all about, for cavalrymen, it’s about remembering customs Troops have adhered to in the past.
“Getting your spurs is larger than getting something to put on your footwear, it’s about being part of an organization that has fought for 237 years to provide freedom for our country,” said Budihas. “If we forget what our history is and what our traditions are we kind of forget who we are as an army.”
| Date Taken: | 11.28.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2012 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 98429 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BY, DE |
| Hometown: | FORT WAYNE, IN, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Hometown: | WAUKEGAN, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 499 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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