Grueling spur ride tests the grit of troops

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, perform team push ups during a spur lane Aug. 23, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The spur ride, which consisted of new Soldiers -- often known as shave tails, tested their physical capabilities and knowledge of basic warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. John Pantalici)  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

08.28.2017

Courtesy Story

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

By Spc. Apolonia Gaspar, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, earned their spurs at the conclusion of a spur ride Aug. 24, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The spur ride, conducted Aug. 22-24, was an event that tested the physical capabilities and basic warrior tasks and battle drills of the Soldiers involved. Out of the approximately 150 spur ride applicants, only 64 Soldiers earned their spurs.

The spur ride candidates consisted of new troops, often known as shave tails, who wanted to earn their silver spurs. Spurs come in two colors: gold and silver. To earn their gold spurs, a Soldier must be with a cavalry unit while deployed. The silver spurs are earned during the ceremony after completing a spur ride.

“It is all about trying to get the new troops to better their basic cavalrymen skills and come out feeling like they accomplished something that was truly worth it,” said Lt. Col. Andrew B. Dixon, the 1-14th squadron commander.

The spur ride began Aug. 22, with candidates undergoing a multitude of events such as an army physical fitness test, a minimum of 70 percent in each event (push ups, sit ups and a two-mile run) is required to pass; a packing list layout, layout infractions were punished with exercises such as flutter kicks and burpees; an obstacle course; a day and night land navigation course with an airlift transporting the Soldiers to the night land navigation course.

They continued on with little or no sleep working in teams through the eight different spur lanes that consisted of demonstrating their basic knowledge of weapons, medical techniques and more. It was a high-stress environment that put their skills to the test.

Finally, the grueling 12-mile ruck march. Troops who have survived this long earn their spurs.

The troops got to experience tradition, honor, and value throughout a course that cultivates esprit de corps and they earn their position within a cavalry unit, said Spc. Jaylnnd Scott, a motor transport operator and a spur-holder with 1-14th Cav.

The troops weren't just given a set of spurs, Dixon said. They did something very challenging to earn them and they will model the professionalism it took to get there and encourage others to push themselves to higher levels of expertise in their craft.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2017
• Date Posted: 08.28.2017 20:37
• Story ID: 246366
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US