Reconnaissance troops focus on interoperability

By Staff Sgt. Neysa CanfieldAugust 18, 2018

Reconnaissance troops focus on interoperability
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. - Pfc. Chandler Ramage, an infantryman with Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepares to pull security for his spur ride team after rucking up Fort Carson's Agon... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Reconnaissance troops focus on interoperability
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. - 1st Lt. Bryan Carroll, executive officer for Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and members of his spur ride team plan their route following the receipt of an op... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers from Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participated in a spur ride hosted by the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. in July 2018.

The Order of the Spur is a cavalry tradition within the U.S. Army. In order to join the order and earn the right to wear spurs, Soldiers complete a series of challenging tasks that test leadership and technical and tactical proficiency.

Capt. Alexander Boroff, commander of Troop C, said this event provided an opportunity to challenge his Soldiers, both physically and mentally.

"Interoperability will be the key to winning future fights against both unconventional and near-peer threats," said Boroff. "This type of training is what builds our Soldiers to the level of competency that the American people expect of their fighting force."

The exercise also strengthened the relationship between the Soldiers of Troop C and the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., through friendly competition and shared experiences. The two units are scheduled to work together during an upcoming training exercise called Iron Strike and during an upcoming rotation to the National Training Center.

"As we progress forward in a sustained readiness combat environment, it is critical that we execute interoperability between reconnaissance units across the force," said 1st Lt. Bryan Carroll, executive officer for Troop C. "I think this will be an excellent proof of concept in regard to the role of dismounted scouts operating in support of an armor brigade combat team."

Soldiers from Troop C extended an invite to the event to the Soldiers of Company A, 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd IBCT, in order to establish a relationship before upcoming training exercises.

"Bonds built during the spur ride shall prove to be crucial during the upcoming training rotation," said Staff Sgt. Jake Hare, an infantryman assigned to Troop C. "During my time in the Army, I have always seen enabler units left to the wayside, not fully integrated into their host unit's planning process.

I hope our continued interaction with both units from (4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.) and 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion will prove to be beneficial to all parties involved."

The leaders of Troop C said the event also helped create a shared understanding across the division as Soldiers completed complex reconnaissance problems alongside each other.

"My team was comprised of Soldiers from ... three brigades at Fort Carson," said Carroll. "Our team was able to accomplish challenges thanks to a wealth of knowledge and a common operating language between all of us. I think this event displayed the 'team-first' mentality of Soldiers within the Ivy Division."