Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Taresha Hill | Troopers with 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment participated in a spur ride April...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas-Troopers with 2nd Squadron “Sabre,” 3rd Cavalry Regiment participated in the squadron’s first spur ride of the year April 9-10, 2018.
Constituted in 1846, the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen is the Army’s oldest active cavalry unit with many long-standing traditions spanning throughout its 171-year history. One of those traditions is the Order of the Spur.
Traditionally, new troopers assigned to the cavalry could not wear their spurs until they proved their skills in horsemanship and completed a spur ride. Today, troopers earn their spurs through a multitude of tasks testing their mental and physical endurance as well as their attention to detail.
Over 170 Sabre Squadron troopers began the quest for their spurs April 9. The spur candidates had to work in teams consisting of both officers and enlisted troopers.
“You have to work together as a team and do all the little things correctly,” Lt. Col. Matthew Work, Sabre Squadron commander, said. “It’s about teamwork, comradery, and establishing that esprit de corps.”
Sabre Squadron troopers had to finish events such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, run through an obstacle course, take a written exam and conduct a stress shoot – all before completing eight additional different warrior tasks. The teams finished with an equipment layout and inspection in order to ensure adherence to the packing list.
“The little things matter,” Work stressed.
With only two months as the Fox Troop commander, Capt. Avery Herbinson said that he always wanted his spurs and that he was happy to be a part of a time-honored tradition.
“When they (Soldiers) see you out there struggling with them, it means a lot more to them,” Herbinson said. “As a leader, you always strive to do the best that you can do to set a good example for the Soldiers.”
Spur holder 1st Sgt. Pablo Ureste, with Heavy Troop, said he was proud to be back and part of the storied 3rd Cav. Regt. after his three-year tour in Korea.
“I fought tooth and nail trying to come back here,” Ureste said. “There’s no feeling to describe it- being a part of (3rd Cav. Regt.’s) history.”
Pvt. Denise Salinas, a generator mechanic with Heavy Troop, said that while she may have struggled and wanted to give up, she pulled through because she didn’t want her team to fail.
“My team provided me with the motivation that I needed not to quit,” Salinas said. “Without them I don’t think I would have made it.”
In the end, after all of the tasks and rucking over 20 miles with nearly 40 pounds of gear were complete, only 99 Sabre troopers managed to earn their silver spurs.
“All the pain that you go through during the spur ride ends up being worth it,” Salinas said.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2018 17:11 |
| Story ID: | 274706 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sabre troopers earn their silver spurs, by SFC Taresha Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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