DAGGER BRIGADE SOLDIERS EARN CAVALRY SPURS

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Simon McTizic | Soldier from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division recites the cavalry poem, Fiddler's Green, during the 5th Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment Spur Ride on July 29 - 30. The Spur Ride is an event that is usually held over multiple days during which a Trooper must pass a series of physical and psychological tests that evaluate leadership, technical and tactical proficiency, and the ability to operate, during day and night conditions, as part of a team under high levels of fatigue and stress. (U.S. Army photo by KCpl. Kwon, JinHo)  

CAMP CASEY/HOVEY, 41, SOUTH KOREA

07.30.2020

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

CAMP HOVEY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA –Soldiers and Troopers across the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division had their mental fortitude and physical toughness tested in the attempt to earn their silver spurs during the 2020 Longknife Spur Ride at Camp Hovey, Republic of Korea, July 29-30.

The Spur Ride is an event held over multiple days during which a Trooper must pass a series of physical and mental fitness tests that evaluate leadership, technical and tactical proficiency. Competitors operate during day and night conditions as part of a team under high levels of fatigue and stress.

During the Spur Ride, candidates are also required to recite from memory the traditional cavalry poem, Fiddler's Green, and other traditional or historical information pertaining to the cavalry.

“The Spur Ride is important because it builds esprit de corps, builds unit cohesion, and it tests tactical knowledge in field craft,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Hutchinson, a spur holder from 2ABCT, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment.

“It helps with readiness by utilizing lanes that are focused on testing tactical tasks in a field environment in the form of situational training exercise lanes and physical challenges.”

Soldiers learned a lot about themselves as they pushed through each event.

“I did the Spur Ride because I’m naturally small in stature and people told me I wouldn’t be able to do it. I figured I could prove them wrong,” said Pfc. Harmony Ragan, an M1 Armor Crewman from 2ABCT, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.

“I learned that a lot of physical pain is honestly all mental. Because when you don’t think about what you’re going through, you can’t really feel it.”

The U.S. Army wasn’t the only element participating in the Spur Ride. Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) and Republic of Korea soldiers also challenged themselves, and overcame more than just the numerous physical challenges.

“For me, honestly, other than the physical part, language was the hardest part,” said KSgt. 1st Class Kim Byung Sun, Republic of Korea Army Operations Non-Commissioned Officer from 2ABCT, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.

“But, it became a miscellaneous thing after a while. As the time went on, after training in rain and mud, our uniforms (ROK and U.S.) did not look much different. That’s when I felt, this is not about the language. If we train hard together and work alongside each other, then we can communicate without language and the sweat will make us be able to go through all the missions.”

After more than 32 hours, rucking more than 30 miles across Camps Casey and Hovey to perform various tests and tasks, some 263 out of 270 soldiers that began the event earned their spurs.

“The end goal of the Spur Ride is to foster an environment of teamwork, build esprit de corps, and to aid Troopers in remembering cavalry history through upholding this tradition,” said Hutchinson.

“The advice I would give future aspiring spur holders is to start training weeks ahead through physical readiness, specifically rucks. Learn as much doctrine as you can, stay motivated, and be prepared to rely on your team.”

The event concluded with each soldier receiving their spurs from current spur holders. They not only stepped off with silver spurs attached to their boots, but walked away knowing they pushed themselves to the very end.

“I felt that I’ve finally finished, and that I was finally acknowledged by the U.S. Army,” said KCpl. Hwang GyuTae, a religious affairs specialist for 2ABCT, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.

“When the spur holders told me they were proud of me, proud of the KATUSAs, and when they told me they were thankful for doing so well, it felt very rewarding and proud to be a KATUSA.”


STORY AND PHOTOS BY
STAFF SGT. SIMON C. MCTIZIC
2/1 ID PUBLIC AFFAIRS

• Date Taken: 07.30.2020
• Date Posted: 10.21.2020 21:29
• Story ID: 381371
• Location: CAMP CASEY/HOVEY, 41, KR