FORT STEWART, Ga. - Every muscle in your body shakes from exhaustion, with every step on your swollen tired feet a voice inside your head tells you to quit. The only thing keeping you going is the encouragement of your fellow Soldiers as your body is tested to its limits during one of the U.S. Cavalry's most grueling feats of accomplishment. For the 144 Cavalry Troopers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, that attempted the test of physical and mental courage the prize of standing out among their peers is worth the effort to don the exclusive "Silver Spurs."
The time honored tradition of honoring the "Silver Spurs" is awarded for completing the grueling 36-hour event known as the Spur Ride. While many troopers possess golden spurs, which are awarded for being part of a cavalry unit during a deployment, the honor of wearing the "Silver Spurs" prides one to wear it in high esteem, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Mingle, 3/7 Cavalry, 2HBCT.
"Earning the Silver Spurs sets you apart from other Soldiers; much like the Stetson, the Silver Spurs is part of the tradition that defines the Cavalry Soldier," Command Sgt. Maj. Mingle said.
While earning the "Silver Spurs" may set Soldiers apart from those who have not earned them, Command Sgt. Maj. Mingle said the Spur Ride event is more about work as a team than an individual.
"A lot of what these Soldiers went through to earn their spurs is based on the team event, whether it is the multiple lanes that the Soldiers had to accomplish as a squad, or the obstacle course, it was all done as a team. Even the 12-mile ruck march, while it was an individual event, each Soldier relied on their battle buddies to get them through it," Command Sgt. Mingle said.
According to Command Sgt. Mingle, the Spur Ride was the first one that 3/7 Cavalry has put on since 2006.
"The last Spur Ride we had was in 2006, so we had a lot more Soldiers attend the Spur Ride than normal. But it does show how rare it is to earn them …," Command Sgt. Major Mingle said. "… although this by no means makes the Spur Ride easy just because it has not been done in recent years. Out of the 144 that attempted, only about a third completed the ritual. That is a testament to how difficult the Spur Ride is and how important the Silver Spurs are to the troopers."
Understanding what earning the Silver Spurs means to a Cavalry Soldier was something Lt. Col. Lance Varney, commander, 3/7 Cavalry, did not fully appreciate until completing the rite of passage himself.
"I definitely underestimated what it is to earn the Silver Spurs, not only is it a grueling event, but the camaraderie, tradition, and history behind the entire event truly embodies all that the Cavalry stands for and I am truly proud to be part of that," Lt. Col. Varney said.
At the conclusion of the 36-hour event, the spouses of 3/7 Cavalry were able to earn their spurs as well alongside their Soldiers.
"We really wanted to have a day to show our appreciation to the spouses of the squadron and let them earn their own version of the Silver Spurs, a necklace charm, and let them have an understanding of what their spouses went through over the last 36-hours," Lt. Col. Varney said.
During the spouses Spur Ride, squadron spouses traversed numerous events much like their spouses, Lt. Col. Varney said.
"While we scaled the events back for the spouses, they still were able to do things like the obstacle course, grenade throw, casualty evacuation, just like their spouses did to earn their spurs. The whole event has been really fun for all of the squadron Family," Lt. Col. Varney said.
Candy Hankins, wife of Sgt. First Class Roger Hankins, 3/7 Cavalry, agreed the event was a great opportunity.
"I kinda wanted to see what it was all about, so it was a great idea. All together it was pretty challenging but really fun too," Sgt. 1st Class Hankins said.
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