Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receive their spurs during a ceremony June 10, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones)
By Staff Sgt. Grady Jones
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
The “Order of the Spur” is a timeless tradition within cavalry units and the Army. Completing a spur ride is how the cavalrymen earn their spurs.
“Buffalo Soldiers” assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a spur ride throughout the squadron motor pool and post training area June 9-10, 2016.
“I feel like I am a part of an important legacy and long tradition distinctive to the cavalry,” said Pfc. John Santos, M-1 armor crewman, Troop D. “I feel a great sense of accomplishment that I earned my spurs.”
The Order of the Spur, which authorizes the cavalryman to wear the spurs, dates back to the inception of the regiment when newly arriving cavalrymen were issued horses with shaved tails, signifying their inexperience as horsemen. By demonstrating their ability to perform with their assigned horses, they were awarded spurs considered too dangerous to be given to inexperienced riders.
“In the days of the horse cavalry, new troopers would receive extensive training in horsemanship to ensure that they could master the riding skills necessary to fight from the saddle,” said Lt. Col. Chad Foster, commander, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “These new Soldiers were not allowed to wear spurs at first because of the tendency for new riders to misuse them and cause injury to their horses. However, once the new cavalry troopers had gained a sufficient level of riding proficiency, they would be sent on a spur ride, a long distance journey that would require multiple days of hard riding to complete.”
Spur rides often took new Soldiers through the territory of hostile Native American tribes, putting their skills, toughness and intelligence to the test, Foster said.
The “Black Jack” Squadron’s spur ride was conducted by members who previously earned their spurs, known as “spur holders,” and supervised by the squadron command sergeant major. The spur ride consisted of multiple events, leadership tasks, Army Physical Fitness Test, M9 pistol and M4 carbine qualification ranges, situational exercises, medical tasks and foot marches. Candidates walked about 30 miles with full rucks and didn’t sleep for more than 30 hours.
“It was dreadful, but I just kept on pushing,” said Pfc. Monique Rivera, wheeled vehicle mechanic, Troop D.
Cavalry scouts and M-1 armor crewmen from sister battalions also participated in the event.
“We’ve got a number of cavalry Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, (3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div), participating in the event,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Perez, section leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “They’ve been trying to participate in a spur ride event for a long time and now they have their opportunity.”
The candidates were tired but remained motivated, negotiating the tests to prove they were worthy.
“They took every task with heart and pride,” said Sgt. 1st Class Darin Vaughner, platoon sergeant, Troop D. “They did an outstanding job.”
There is no military occupational specialty requirements for the Order of the Spur, making it possible for all members of the squadron to compete and earn their spurs.
“Now I have bragging rights as a mechanic and one of only two women in the squadron to earn my spurs today,” said Rivera. “I’m glad to have been given the chance to be in this event next to the cavalry Soldiers.”
Similar to the Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge earned in infantry units, the cavalry has silver and gold spurs. A cavalry Soldier, also referred to as a “trooper,” who has earned both silver and gold spurs, is known as a “Master Spur Holder.”
Out of 78 candidates, 52 earned their spurs.
“It was a long, difficult test,” said Foster. “The candidates had to work as a team to make it through. Along the way, their goal is to instill pride in themselves and in each other as cavalry troopers, and I am proud of their accomplishments in earning this coveted order, and rite of passage.”
As the squadron completed its spur ride it fulfilled its obligation to continue the traditions of the cavalry and pass the inherent responsibility of conducting future spur rides to those earning their spurs, said Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Beyer, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.
“It is an honor to continue this legacy and tradition of the cavalry for generations to come,” he said. “We want our new spur holders to continue this tradition as they progress to higher ranks and leadership roles. We owe it to the cavalry, our regiment and our Soldiers.”