FORT HOOD, Texas - The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division hosted a Spouse Spur Ride for family members, April 17 at Black Jack field.
The spur ride was a way to unite the Black Jack Family and strengthen bonds prior to the brigade's upcoming Korea rotation.
Teams of spouses representing each battalion competed in a series of events testing marksmanship, strength, problem solving, and knowledge of the unit's history.
"It's a chance for the spouses to get together and bond before everybody leaves," said Christina Clark, husband of Sgt. Noah Clark, a combat medic in the 3-82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd ABCT. "We can form new bonds and strengthen existing bonds before everybody leaves to help with the separation anxiety and depression that happens."
Clark's husband recently returned from Korea. She spent the time waiting for him to return with her family.
"Without any other military spouses around who understood, it was really hard," Christina said. "There was nobody to really talk to about it because nobody really understood."
Having recently arrived at Fort Hood, the Clark family now faces the challenge of trying to settle in while simultaneously preparing for the nearing deployment.
"It's a little hectic," Christina said. "There's a lot of stuff to get done so he (Noah) doesn't come home on time."
Christina said the deployment pressure has already hit her Family household a lot and she's looking forward to taking block leave.
"That's another reason why I wanted to come forge some bonds with some of the other spouses, because if it's hitting us hard now before he goes, then it's not going to be easy when he's gone," she said
This is exactly what Col. Sean Bernabe, commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, was thinking of when organizing the Spouse Spur Ride.
Families are critical for our readiness as a brigade, Bernabe said. Having strong Family bonds within the brigade will lessen the strain that comes during deployments.
"These spouses came out and practiced multiple times to get ready for this," Bernabe said. "It forms some solid teams. Just by getting [the spouses] to do that, we've already won."
Spc. Michael Avant, of 3-82nd and his wife Rachael, also joined in the Spouse Spur Ride.
"At first it was kind of trying, because there were a lot of changes we had to go through because it was our first year, but so far I'm loving the military life," Rachael said. "We live on base and I'm loving that. All three of our kids are adjusting well to this, we feel like we're part of a big family now."
Rachael was glad to have the opportunity to meet some of the other spouses in person.
"Our family is at least 10 hours out," she said. "It will definitely help knowing that we have other spouses out there that are close to home."
Spc. Michael Avant came out to support his wife during the competition, an opportunity afforded to all Soldiers whose spouses were competing. Michael was glad to be able to show his wife some of the training that he does on a daily basis.
"I like that they can get engage and be a part of [the unit], because otherwise they're in the dark about a lot of the things we do," Avant said. "It's a part of the culture here, and we wanted to be a part of that."
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