FORT HOOD, Texas - The infantry has the Expert Infantryman Badge, the medics the Expert Field Medical Badge and for the cavalry, the Silver Spurs.
Troopers from 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a brigade Spur Ride on Fort Hood Oct. 11-15.
The Spur Ride is a traditional, cavalry training event used to build esprit-de-corps within all cavalry troopers, said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Haliburton, a Midway, Ala., native and the operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge for the 2nd STB.
More than 160 soldiers participated in the event with nearly 90 percent of them finishing, said Haliburton.
To finish and receive their spurs, soldiers had to successfully maneuver as a squad and individually complete five out of seven tasks, all within a five hour time period, said Haliburton.
Tasks included entering and clearing a building, weapons systems training, first aid and communications.
The event was also an opportunity for older and experienced soldiers to validate some
common tasks and battle drills they may not often use.
“It was touching up … it’s [the tasks] just like anything else, it’s a perishable skill. It’s kind of a refresher and nice to know,” said Spc. Randy Horvath, an El Paso, Texas, native and a military policeman for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT.
The tasks achieved during the event will apply greatly when the MP’s deploy as well, said Horvath.
Horvath said the greatest part of the event was learning to build on camaraderie and working together.
Only being with his unit for a few weeks, Staff Sgt. Sean Ireland, a Nashville, Tenn., native and a MP for HHC, 2nd STB, said he needed to see that teamwork as well.
The Spur Ride wasn’t only a team builder, but a skills refresher and confidence builder too, he explained.
That confidence paid off. Both Horvath and Ireland completed the event and received their silver spurs.