FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - For cavalry Soldiers, it's all about the spurs. And not just any spurs. Silver spurs signify leadership and that the bearer conquered the renowned spur ride, a rite of passage for the "Cav."
Approximately 60 Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Stryker Brigade Combat TeamRegiment, 25th Infantry Division took on the spur- ride challenge June 14 to 16 and earned the coveted silver spurs, tackling everything from the Army physical fitness test, obstacle course, a written test on reconnaissance tasks and squadron history, grenade assault course, long-range radio familiarity, troop- leading procedure drills, an air-land movement from Fort Wainwright to the Donnelly Training Area at Fort Greely, an hours-long hike through unforgiving terrain and tactical operations all night. This was Day 1.
Soldiers continued the non-stop pace in Day 2 with rotating leadership positions, more tactical operations, including operations orders and scenarios designed to teach them how to work with foreign counterparts and conduct key leader engagements. Day 3 began with no rest for the troopers who conducted an air assault and executed joint raids before completing the spur ride and moving into mission debriefs.
Designed to be a meaningful and challenging test of strength, endurance, leadership and tactical skill, 5-1st's spur ride served a two-fold purpose, said Lt. Col. David Raugh, 5-1st commander. "This is not a hazing event," he said. In addition to initiating a new crop of cavalry leaders ranging in rank from corporal to captain into the world of cavalry leadership, Raugh also used the event to evaluate his troopers. "This was an opportunity to check the quality of our leaders and a chance to see how they perform under pressure," he said.
And how did his troopers perform' "It was great," he said. "Everyone was challenged. Everyone gave 110 percent. They really rose to the occasion of leadership. I'm very confident in our junior leadership and their ability to perform."
Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph McFarlane, 5-1st command sergeant major, recounted earning his silver spurs 18 years ago. "It was a huge deal," he said. "It means a lot to these Soldiers to be part of a group of cavalrymen who have already earned their silver spurs. It drives their motivation. Plus it ties into the esprit de corps of the 1st Cavalry Regiment."
As the former "spur candidates" recovered from their grueling spur ride, the reality of their accomplishment set in.
"Since I was a private that's all I wanted was to get my silver spurs," said Cpl. Casey Nothe, C Troop, 5-1st.
Sgt. Andrew Slaughter, B Troop, 5-1st, said he learned how far he could push himself during the spur ride. "It feels good; really good," he said. "It's definitely something that every leader should go through."
Nothe said the leadership aspect of the event was top notch and will prepare him for the future.
"The good thing was that we switched leadership throughout the event so I got to be training for a job above me so it helps prepare me for the next level," he said. "I like how we took off our rank and everything so we could switch leadership positions and work together to get things done."
New to the squadron, Capt. Jacob Teplesky took command of C Troop, 5-1st a few days before the spur ride and said the event was very meaningful for him. "I feel great; ecstatic," he said. "The best part of the event was getting to know the guys a little better."
Building a team and molding leaders was exactly the plan, McFarlane said. He and Raugh said they are proud of their troopers know the new spur holders will feel the same about themselves.
"These guys will be proud of their accomplishment. They'll be extremely proud," McFarlane said.
While 5-1st Soldiers recovered from their spur ride June 17, spouses embarked on theirs. The spouse spur ride provided an opportunity for more than 30 Blackhawk spouses to earn the yellow garter by completing a series of tasks from taking a written exam, firing an M4, clearing a room, completing the obstacle course and road marching back to the squadron headquarters. They also learned some reconnaissance basics and captured high-value targets. Each spouse was challenged to complete every task while keeping her battle buddy, an egg, safe and unharmed.
The spouse spur ride was not only about tradition in the cavalry community, said Rebecca Taylor, squadron family support readiness assistant and wife of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Taylor, squadron operations noncommissioned officer. "This is especially important for younger spouses and those new to the military," she said. "They can see what their husbands do and can learn to rely on each other during a deployment."
Cynthia Raugh, wife of David Raugh, said she learned a lot about herself, especially on one of the most harrowing stations of the obstacle course. "The obstacle course was definitely challenging," she said. "I am deathly afraid of heights. I was scared, but once you get to the top, you have to go through it; you're committed. The guys really inspired me to finish."
She said that her goal for the event was that each spouse had a similar experience and discovered a new appreciation for the work Soldiers do.
"I'm hoping they get a taste of what these guys do to earn their spurs," she said. "I think we can take it for granted. Yeah, we know they're in the Army, but we don't necessarily know what they do or how they do it. It's all about teamwork and finding that something inside you. Like I said, I'm scared of heights, but those guys know how to get you to accomplish something; something that's bigger than yourself."
Squadron leaders awarded silver spurs and yellow garters to Soldiers and spouses during a June 19 spur dinner in Fairbanks.
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