Photo By Spc. Scott Lindblom | Spur candidates of 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade...... read more read more
HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga.— Just over a month after 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment was reflagged to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade 60 spur candidates volunteered to embrace the 'Spur Ride' cavalry traditon on Hunter Army Airfield, Oct. 2-4.
Cavalry troopers of the modern army are easy to spot as they walk with pride sporting Stetsons and their spurs. Gold combat spurs are awarded when a trooper deploys with a cavalry unit, but the coveted silver spurs are earned after a trooper distinguishes himself during a Spur Ride.
The Spur Ride for the 'shave tails', a nickname for unexperienced troopers whose horses tails where shaven to warn others of their lack of experience, was comprised of 42 hours of physical and mental challenges. Candidates were tested from the start after each team had to conduct a ruck layout and then a modified physical fitness test.
Next, Soldiers conducted the first ruck march where every step of seven miles took a toll on the weary Soldier’s feet. Shave tails were then asked to complete a land navigation course followed by another ruck march to the simulated training lanes.
The shave tails completed lanes consisting of rifle stress shoot, vehicle recovery and downed aviator recovery. Shave tails were finally allowed three hours of sleep before an early morning run, obstacle course and stable cleanup.
During the stable clean up shave tails appeared before a board to test their knowledge of cavalry history. After the grueling 42 hours of trials, the 53 shave tails marched back to their headquarters to receive their spurs.
Lt. Col. John Broam, commander, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cav. Regt. earned his silver spurs in 1997 and continues the cavalry tradition in his squadron.
“It builds resilience because you look back on those hardships and those things you did,” Broam said. “Anyone in the squadron can have a cavalry hat, but they cannot just get their spurs.”
Candidates stood before their Families and fellow Soldiers as Broam congratulated them on their dedication.
“The reason they are all here together is because they held each other together, they cheered each other on, carried each other’s rucksacks, and carried each other,” Broam said.
1st Lt. Eric Bowen, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cav. Regt., fully embraced the traditions of the cavalry by earning his silver spurs.
“We have officers, enlisted, warrants and we are coming together as a team,” Bowen said. “It has been a great time meeting a whole bunch of people I have never got to work with before, and becoming family with them so quickly.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Arceneaux, command sergeant major, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cav. Regt. has been a spur holder since 1993 and has spent 17 years inside cavalry squadrons.
“Now that we are 3rd Squadron, 17th Cav. Regt., seeing this and being a part of the driving force is just amazing and an honor,” Arcenaux said.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.05.2015 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 181039 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 510 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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