By Capt. Trenten Farmer
3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
A 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Spur Ride candidate provides perimeter security May 23, 2017. (Photo by Alexandra Flodin)
More than 250 Soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, set out to conquer a long-lasting cavalry tradition May 23-24, 2017.
A rite of passage for all cavalrymen, 256 Soldiers with the 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, started the Spur Ride May 23, 2017, with hopes of earning their silver spurs, a symbol that a cavalryman has been tested on the battlefield. All but eight of the Soldiers met the challenge of completing all of the events and were awarded their spurs May 24, 2017.
The 248 Soldiers traveled roughly 30 miles in less than 24 hours, stopping at four different stations where they were tested on tasks to include combat lifesaver, casualty evacuation, setting up an outpost, weapons assembly and disassembly, and maintenance procedures.
Due to its operations tempo, the 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., conducts a Spur Ride once every two years.
Soldiers assemble and disassemble weapons during a 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Spur Ride May 23-24, 2017. (Photo by Capt. Trenten Farmer)
Soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, push a Humvee during a May 23-24, 2017, Spur Ride. (Photo by Capt. Trenten Farmer)
Candidates prepare to move down a hillside to conduct the sector sketch task during the 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Spur Ride May 23, 2017. (Photo by Alexandra Flodin)