FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- The hour is late. The sun is long gone. While most have already called it a night, there is a group still marching through the woods of Fort Bragg in hopes to earn a coveted piece of cavalry tradition.
Six teams consisting of 10 troopers assigned to 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, braved a barrage of physical and mental challenges to earn their silver spurs, Jun 18. The event lasted for over 16 hours and covered a span of over 15 miles.
A spur ride is a cavalry tradition that focuses on teamwork and leader development. The events vary with every spur ride, but the focus is on developing leadership and inspiring espirit de corps.
"Once or twice a year, we hold the silver spur event," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Lavendier, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior maintenance test pilot, 1-17 Cav. "It varies with the amount of missions we are doing and the tempo of our battle rhythm."
The event encompasses multiple events but one thing remains the same: developing leadership through tough, realistic decisive action training for a variety of potential missions these Troopers might encounter in the battlefield.
"The events of a spur ride test troopers on basic trooper's technical and tactical skills, leadership abilities and teamwork," said Lavendier. "Some examples could be evaluate a casualty, basic knowledge of weapons systems, and land navigation, both in day and night."
Before given the opportunity to don their spurs, troopers are engaged and empowered through the spur ride to develop their individual and collective tasks as a team. Everything from starting a fire to communicating with aircraft reinforces individual and unit training tasks.
"One of the tasks was calling close air support, said 1st Sgt. David Kelley, senior enlisted leader, Bravo Troop, 1-17 Cav. "It is crucial for our troopers to understand the type of capabilities our aircraft bring to the fight, but most importantly ensure our troopers know how we can shape the battlefield from above."
Even though the Soldiers were subject to multiple types of events, they were not alone. Right next to them the entire time was their spur guide, who is responsible and accountable to make safety a top priority while providing mentorship throughout the course of the spur ride, and who already has their silver spurs.
"My primary function is to facilitate the movement of the team from point to point," said Lavendier. "We do our best to keep morale up during the spur ride. Our big thing is that we hope they enjoy the experience. This breaks up the monotony of the work week and works on teambuilding skills."
Today's spur ride pays homage to the history of the cavalry, in the days when the Troopers were mounted on horseback when they rode into battle.
"It draws it roots from the tradition of junior troopers in the cavalry not being awarded spurs because they had not learned how to take care of their assigned horse," said Lavendier. "To identify junior troopers, the tail of their horse would be shaved. As the Trooper grew in experience, the horse's tail would grow back. It's where the term shavetail came from, which is what we refer to the candidates as."
Whether it's air or ground cavalry, there is always one thing that remains the same.
"All Troopers in the cav are cavalry troopers, it's the common denominator," said Lavendier. "The tasks they are accomplishing today are not anything out of the ordinary in the cavalry world."
These troopers came together to finish as a team and earn their silver spurs. This was fostered by trust in teambuilding, with them showing genuine concern for everyone and encouraging each other.
"When looking back years down the road, this event will be another feather in the hat," said Lavendier. "It shows that the cav is committed to developing our future leaders and their fellow cavalrymen."
Social Sharing