Ride to remember

By Sgt. Wayne Diaz, 1st ABCT PAOJune 24, 2013

A spur holder motivates a candidate during a four-mile run
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A spur holder motivates a candidate during a four-mile run, May 21, 2013. As one of the featured tasks of the spur ride, spur candidates were required to complete the four-mile run in less than 36 minutes. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Wayne Diaz, 1st ABC... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
A spur holder paces through the ranks of spur candidates as they conduct an inventory
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A spur holder paces through the ranks of spur candidates as they conduct an inventory May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea. Following a 12-mile ruck march, candidates' inventoried items required on the packing list and conducted personnel checks o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spur holder, Command Sgt. Maj. Kim Bradshaw, the senior enlisted advisor of 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, briefs spur candidates on upcoming tasks May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spur holder, Command Sgt. Maj. Kim Bradshaw, the senior enlisted advisor of 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, briefs spur candidates on upcoming tasks May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea. Candidates were split into teams and tasked with co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spur candidates push themselves past physical limits during the 4th squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment spur ride, May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea.
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spur candidates push themselves past physical limits during the 4th squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment spur ride, May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea. The weeklong event involved a physical fitness test, four-mile run, 12-mile ruck march, and a ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pfc. Luis Zaruma, track vehicle repairer with the 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, takes cover during a Spur Ride exercise, May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea.
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Luis Zaruma, track vehicle repairer with the 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, takes cover during a Spur Ride exercise, May 22, 2013 at Camp Hovey, South Korea. Zaruma, who earned his spurs following the weeklong event, was a team member ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP HOVEY, South Korea -- Harsh jeers from the seasoned spur holders echoed as they steadily paced through the ranks of exhausted candidates. The start of day three left the Soldiers with little recovery time as they headed out on a 12-mile ruck march.

With 21 hours of mental and physical hurdles remaining, the candidates' perseverance and determination would have to survive its final test in their quest to earn their beloved spurs.

Approximately 150 Soldiers, Korean Augmentees to the United States Army, and Republic Of Korea army cavalry Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division participated in the 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment's Spur Ride May 20-23, 2013, at Camps Hovey and Casey.

As a major part of cavalry tradition, earning spurs also earns a Soldier respect, and separates its holders from their peers. During this test of mental and physical fortitude, candidates strive to become a part of cavalry history, and embrace the pride and honor associated with it.

"It's an opportunity to accomplish a very difficult goal that not many Soldiers have or can," said new spur holder, Pfc. Chris Hunt, Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer, 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cav. Regt.

To become eligible for spur candidacy and participate in this event, Soldiers must be assigned to a cavalry unit, achieve a minimum score of 270 points on their Army Physical Fitness Test and qualify as a sharpshooter or above with their assigned weapon, said spur holder Staff Sgt. Ruben Ojeda, Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, 4th Squadron., 7th U.S. Cav. Regt.

During this event, candidates must successfully complete a series of warrior tasks, including a APFT, a four-mile run, 12-mile ruck march, and a 20-question test challenging the candidates' knowledge of cavalry history.

The spur ride is also rich in camaraderie as it encourages teamwork and discipline. Candidates were split into teams and tasked with completing missions as a cohesive unit. At seven different stations, the slew of the battle drills included casualty evacuation and first aid, reaction to contact, calling for fire, establishing a fighting position, performing radio communication, executing a vehicle recovery, and displaying their knowledge and proficiency on five different weapons.

"It's a team effort, you can't do it all by yourself," said Pfc. Luis Zaruma, Track Vehicle Repairer, 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cav. Regt. "We made it our jobs to motivate each other to get through it."

Though sheer will and physical strength are both necessary characteristics to achieve the feat, it all comes down to a key intangible shared by all spur holders.

"All it takes is heart, that's all there is to it," said Zaruma.

Togetherness, overcoming adversity, and pushing yourself above and beyond limitations are all trademarks of the Spur Ride and cavalry tradition. Though spurs are the physical reward for the candidates' commendable effort, the honor of becoming a spur holder through blood, sweat and tears accompanies them throughout not only their military careers, but also their lives.