FORT CARSON, Colo. – Earning the silver spurs of a cavalry scout has been a long-standing tradition since troopers rode horse-back into war.
The tradition continued, but this time for 60 spouses, as the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted its Spouse Spur Ride at Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park, May 18.
“Earning your spurs has been a tradition since the cavalry has been on horses,” said Lt. Col. David Guthrie, commander, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. “A trooper would earn their spurs when they showed that they had the skills after arriving to their unit.”
Six teams, consisting of eight to 10 spouses each, worked through multiple events, that included a modified Army Physical Fitness Test, a simulated hand grenade course using water balloons, reporting a situational report on enemy activity, and evaluating a medical casualty.
“It’s nice to get to meet other spouses and know we are all in this together,” said Megan Wadsworth, wife of Capt. Brendan Wadsworth, commander, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. “Sometimes you feel isolated as a spouse. We are all out here working hard, getting tired, getting sweaty and getting dirty together.”
“Bison” leadership’s intent for the day was to reinforce the bonds between spouses before the upcoming month-long training event at Fort Irwin, Calif., and any future deployments.
“We wanted to build the team that is going to take care of us when we deploy,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Vogl, senior enlisted leader, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. “Get them together and get some camaraderie built so they know each other. It really helps build that team that will be back here.”
The spouses know it is important to support their husbands and see what they go through.
“It’s really good for their morale,” said Wadsworth. “If you don’t have a really good, strong home base, you suffer at work. Seeing their spouses out here working hard, basically in their honor, makes them feel good.”
Leadership had a message for the spouse who earned their silver spurs before their soldiers.
“As a cavalry spouse, if you earn you silver spurs, those are the ultimate bragging right,” said Guthrie. “If your trooper does not have their silver and you earn yours today, there is only one silver spur holder with bragging rights.”
When it was all said and done and the dust cleared, the Spouses had a new respect for their husbands and what they do.
“I think the cavalry has great tradition for the soldiers,” said Wadsworth. “It is nice (the squadron) brought the spouses into it. We don’t do what soldiers do, but we support them just as much and work just as hard, so it’s nice that we get to be a part of those traditions.”
After the spouses completed all the events, the squadron put on a barbecue for the soldiers and family members and encouraged more camaraderie.
“It helps the soldiers,” said Vogl. “It gives them the ability to deploy knowing that there is a spouse network back in the rear that can help them out.”
Bison leadership plans to host another Spouse Spur Ride later this year, as well as a Spur Ride for the soldiers sometime in September.