First Team spouses take part in cavalry tradition

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Ironhorse,” 1st Cavalry Division, observe spur ride participants as they maneuver through the obstacle course on Fort Hood, Texas, April 10 during Ironhorse Spouse Spur Ride 2015. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Kurterry Bennamon, unit public affairs representative, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

04.10.2015

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers leave home early in the morning for physical training or “PT,” and get home late in the evening, but spouses sometimes have only a vague idea what they are doing all day.

Husbands and wives of Soldiers in the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, got to experience firsthand some of the training their loved ones undergo, during the brigade’s Spouse Spur Ride here April 10.

Throughout the day, groups of spouses were assessed on their communication skills and ability to work together as a team while participating in several activities including Army PT, cavalry history, a hands-on weapons familiarization station and a modified confidence obstacle course.

“I think it’s great that spouses want to learn about what their counterparts do at work,” said Cpl. Gary Jourdan, a team leader for Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division who also supervised the weapons display at the event.

The spouses also got the opportunity to experience M4 rifle marksmanship and room clearing at Fort Hood’s Engagement Skills Trainer and Warrior Skills Training Center. Each simulated scenario was led by a Soldier to ensure the safety of all participants.

Soldiers and friends cheered loudly as each candidate completed the tasks and challenges set before them. Several Soldiers said that seeing their loved ones participating in the Spur Ride showed them just how much they care about their Soldiers.

“We need this kind of support, so that we can perform our job to the best of our abilities, said Jourdan.

Many of the participating spouses joined the event for fun and to face the challenge of the obstacle course.

“The weaver was most challenging for me,” said Jesse Bryant, a spouse representing 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division. “It was so high.”

Spouse Spur Ride 2015 concluded with an awards ceremony where the 129 spouses received a pin as a symbol of their completion of the event. The Spouse Spur Ride parallels the traditional Cavalry Spur Ride, where service members earn the right to wear spurs on their boots.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2015
• Date Posted: 04.22.2015 17:19
• Story ID: 160886
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US