For many new Army National Guard cavalry scouts – or Shavetails – the Sept. 8-10 drill weekend was anything but ordinary.
Over a period of 24 hours, new 19D cavalry scouts completed 14 stations covering seven and a half miles of intense training as part of the 1-134th Cavalry’s Spur Ride, an event that is held with esteem as a rite of passage.
Dating back to the early formation of the cavalry, new scouts were called Shavetails. As a new Soldier arrived at their posting, they would be issued a horse with a shaved tail as a way of letting other scouts know that the rider was new.
As a scout gained experience and the horse’s tail grew back, the Soldier was then considered to be more seasoned. When senior leaders believed that the Soldier had met the standard, was ready to use the tool of spurs for their horse, they would bestow the honor of spurs onto the Soldier.
Sgt. 1st Class Adam Dack, a 15-year veteran of Troop A, 1-134th Cavalry, said the Spur Ride helps keep the unit’s heritage alive.
“Through the Spur Ride we test the Soldiers physically and mentally,” Dack said. “We try to stress them to a point where it’s not the day-to-day training activity. It’s more in depth; it’s harder. Once they get tired, we start throwing in the mental aspect and make them think of that stuff. It’s all (military occupational specialty) specific tasks, and at this point in time it’s more of an esprit de corps thing.”
Traditionally the event would start early morning and finish in the evening, but this year was different. Dack, a native of Champion, Nebraska, said the 2017 challenge was a little more stressful for competitors due to the overnight timing element.
“This year we started with the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) and we went to the ruck,” Dack said. “Then the lanes were conducted throughout the evening hours, overnight. That added another level of difficulty.
The Spur Ride is designed by the unit Spurmasters, someone who has gone through the Spur Ride and already holds their spurs. This year the Spurmasters sat down to redesign the event to make it more challenging compared to past years.
As a result, competitors showed their skills by completing multiple tasks including: a modified APFT, long-range surveillance, clearing a bunker, classifying a route, calling for fire, weapons stations, reacting to an improvised explosive device, managing a medical lane, a written land navigation test, a practical land navigation test, a historical written test, and conducting preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) on equipment.
New scouts look forward the event to earn respect and approval from their peers. This year was no different for Spc. Noah Huber, Troop A.
“It was pretty intense,” Huber said. “The fact that it lasted over 24 hours kind of makes it a change of pace.”
Huber said the length of the challenge was most notable, however, it was a way for the lower-enlisted to showcase their skills. “We are supposed to be subject matter experts, and this is our chance to go out and prove that in a pretty grueling way,” Huber said. “The cavalry has a strong esprit de corps and a lot of traditions. It’s been done in cavalry units since they were riding horses on the plains, and it’s a test to show your worth regardless of rank as a trooper. I think it’s pretty special.”
Huber, a native of Harrisburg, Nebraska, said he most looks forward to being awarded his spurs and reflecting on being a part of the tradition that has long been a part of the cavalry history. He also plans to come back to future Spur Rides and take part as a Spurmaster.
Subscribe
