Photo By Pfc. Carlos Marquez | Spur candidates attached to 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, Assault Helicopter...... read more read more
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MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania – U.S. Army Soldiers of the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, “Spearhead”, conducted a Spur Ride at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base beginning Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, and ending Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
“A Spur Ride is a time-honored tradition,” said Chief Warrant Officer three (CW3) Nathan Craig, senior Spur Holder of the event. “It’s challenging and difficult for soldiers to earn their Spurs,”
The Spur Ride began before dawn, with Soldiers assembling for accountability checks and a rigorous “power hour” of physical exercise. Participants were divided into teams and guided through multiple challenge lanes designed to replicate combat scenarios while fostering teamwork and collaboration.
“This morning Soldiers endured the cold weather and rain,” explained Craig, “They’re working with people they have never worked with before.”
The Spur Ride included five major events designed to uphold Cavalry traditions and challenge participating Soldiers. These events were the physical training competition lane, weapons familiarization lane, maintenance lane, medical/communications lane and evasion lane. Each event was specifically designed to test Soldiers’ skills and resilience.
“These challenges will not only make them better Cavalrymen but better Soldiers overall,” said Sgt. Brandon Cummings, a cadre member of the weapons familiarization lane.
After a full day of training, the soldiers embarked on a ruck march through the base, working together to complete the trek as teams. At the end of the march, participants faced the Spur Board, where leaders assessed their knowledge of Cavalry traditions and performance during the event.
“I was expecting it to be physically and mentally challenging,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Ramos. “I want to challenge myself to see how far I can go to do the Spur Ride.”
The event culminated in the Spur Ceremony, where successful candidates were awarded their silver spurs, signifying their induction into this time-honored tradition.
“I want to encourage people to become spur holders,” said 1st Lt. Shannon Donahue, participant of the Spur Ride. “It's important to be part of the team mentality. There’s no such thing as too cool for a Spur Ride.”
For the 3-227th AHB, the Spur Ride served to build unit cohesion and readiness while deployed in support of Atlantic Resolve. By integrating such traditions into their training, the unit demonstrated how Cavalry values endure, regardless of location.
“It was tough, but it was really fun”, expressed Donahue. “We got to work together.”
Through a mix of grit, determination, and collaboration, Soldiers upheld the legacy of the Cavalry, ensuring that its traditions continue to inspire excellence wherever duty calls.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2024 05:17 |
| Story ID: | 485592 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Forged in Tradition: Soldiers Take on the Spur Ride, by PFC Carlos Marquez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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