Troopers earn combat spurs at Forward Operating Base Fenty

Photo By Sgt. Cody Barber | A medical evacuation crew with 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Poseidon, broke ranks during a combat spur ceremony at Forward Operating Base Fenty to gear up and get ready to fly out in support of a mission March 2. The troopers received combat spurs for their continuous support of combat missions in Eastern Afghanistan.  

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.02.2012

Story by Spc. Cody Barber 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Poseidon, participated in a Golden Spur ceremony at Forward Operating Base Fenty March 2.

The ceremony upheld a U.S. cavalry tradition, which originated in the Civil War, where the awarding of gold-plated spurs signified entry into the ranks and fraternity of the mounted warrior. Spurs symbolize a rite of passage for cavalry troops.

There are two types of spurs for troopers to earn, silver and gold spurs. Cavalry units receive silver spurs for general military proficiency, which the soldier demonstrates in a series of events known as a spur ride. While deployed in combat cavalry troops earn gold spurs.

“It’s a tradition to give soldiers golden spurs in a combat environment,” said 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Frankie Woods, a native of Hampton, S.C. “It’s an achievement these soldiers have earned through their bravery and actions while deployed.

“It’s amazing to me to see what some of these soldiers can do. I am very proud of our troops and there is nothing more rewarding to me than to see all our troopers receive the spurs.”

Every cavalry regiment upholds their own standards for awarding spurs to individuals, Woods added, and the spurs are not given but earned.

“One of the requirements was to make sure the soldiers understood the history of the cavalry before they could be given spurs,” said Woods. “We do this so they can know the standard and tradition of receiving spurs.”

Troopers receiving their spurs assumed the push-up position with their legs elevated on a bench so their sponsors could place the spurs on their boots.

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Lambert, a native of Milan, Ohio, a welder with 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82 CAB, Task Force Poseidon, received his first pair of spurs during the ceremony.

“It feels good to get my spurs,” Lambert said. “I like being a part of the cavalry unit and the spurs are always going to be something I can look back on that I can keep with me.”

While they did not hold a fancy dinner or participate in a spur ride, the soldiers were not handed their golden spurs. They earned them through daily close combat and lifesaving missions on the battlefield in Eastern Afghanistan.

Although soldiers were participating in a ceremony, the mission of taking care of their own took priority.

Soldiers on an operation near the forward operating base came under fire, so medical evacuation Apache and Chinook crews who were part of the ceremony broke ranks and took off to spin up helicopters that only moment’s ago were part of a static display and headed to the firefight.

“For a Task Force combat spur ceremony, nothing can symbolize combat spurs more than everyone launching on a mission during the ceremony,” said U.S. Army Capt. Augustine Castronovo, a native of Woodland Hills, Calif., and officer in charge of one of the medical evacuation [medevac] crews.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2012
• Date Posted: 03.06.2012 00:26
• Story ID: 84778
• Location: NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF