FORT DRUM, N.Y. (June 11, 2015) -- Troopers from 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), participated in a time-honored tradition by taking part in the squadron's Spur Ride on May 27-28 at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
The Spur Ride is an event that tests physical strength, endurance and knowledge of common Soldier skills. Soldiers in leadership positions as well as those who demonstrate leadership qualities were eligible to participate.
"When a Soldier earns his spurs, he has proven to have a level of expertise beyond that of the average Soldier," said Maj. Billy B. Casiday, 6-6 Cavalry squadron S3. "Nineteen Soldiers were able to prove that after successfully completing the event."
Today, Soldiers do not need to prove their horseman skills, but they do need to demonstrate they have what it takes to ride with the cavalry.
"The goal is to push every participant to their respective breaking points whether physically or mentally while they are stressed and fatigued, thus helping them to know and understand themselves better and making them more resilient as leaders," said Lt. Col. Hoby F. Cupp, 6-6 Cavalry commander and senior spur holder.
The common theme throughout is leadership and teamwork.
"Participating in this type of event is optional, but it helps you to see where your limits are and shows you where you are as a person," said Staff Sgt. John Rodriguez, 6-6 Cavalry squadron career counselor and Spur Ride participant.
The Spur Ride itself is a culminating training event that validates Soldiers as cavalry leaders. Operating with little to no sleep, four teams of spur candidates navigated through six stations, where they demonstrated their knowledge and physical agility on small team / unit PT events, which included pullups, pushups, situps and tire flip; a history event; the confidence obstacle course; weapon familiarization; qualification and stress shoot.
Other events were personnel recovery, evaluating a casualty, nine-line medevac, landing and pick-up zone operations, and foot movement totaling in excess of 20 miles, while working as a team over a 24- to 30-hour period.
They also demonstrated their knowledge of U.S. cavalry and unit history by taking a written test and participating in a knowledge board.
"With each hour, fatigue, sleep deprivation and loss of light increased the difficulty," Rodriguez said.
Each task varied in difficulty. Motivation, teamwork and historical cavalry knowledge were needed to accomplish the mission.
"Earning my spurs during this event gave me a sense of relief and satisfaction," Rodriguez said.
In addition to validating leaders, the Spur Ride is conducted to build unit cohesion, teamwork and esprit de corps throughout the squadron.
"I am proud of the candidates for carrying on the cavalry tradition, and I am humbled daily by how our troopers work together to accomplish any task asked of them without complaint and with excellence," Casiday said.
Cupp congratulated all of the participants who stepped up to the challenge this year and encouraged others to participate next year.
"Job well done -- you can wear your silver spurs with pride because each of you has earned them," Cupp said. "Every cavalry leader in my ranks who has not earned your silver spurs, I would have to ask why not, and I look forward to you attempting the Spur Ride next year."
Upon completing the leader validation, the candidates received their spurs while sitting on a saddle in front of the squadron's current silver-spur holders, during a traditional spur dinner May 29.
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