DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

2-6 Cavalry Soldiers get their spurs

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Montello | 2nd Lt. Clint Daniels from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, presents Staff Sgt....... read more read more

KIRKUK, IRAQ

03.12.2007

Courtesy Story

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. Bryanna Poulin
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

KIRKUK, Iraq—Cavalry Soldiers began the "spur ride" competition, March 4, an event where candidates participate in grueling challenges to be part of a long standing tradition.

"I woke up at around 2:30 a.m., not really knowing why I got up for this," Spc. Christopher W. Denman, chemical specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2-6 Cav. and native of Yakima, Wash. said laughing. "I would have done anything to have just gone back to sleep."

Candidates started their day with a formation but seemed baffled by the commands given. The confusion was quickly resolved by Soldiers doing the traditional push up in a cadence style led by a spur holder.

"Effective leadership style is necessary to instill so candidates may receive their spurs," noted Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth L. Woods, helicopter pilot and instructor, HHT, 2-6 Cav., native of Anniston, Ala. and spur holder for more than 20 years. "My leadership approach is based on the particular Soldier and situation."

Once candidates were schooled in listening to commands and properly forming up in a military formation, spur holders tested the candidate's organization skills by having them find various items in their ruck sacks.

With loud rock and roll music playing in the background, Soldiers unpacked and repacked their ruck sacks, which contained items on the outlined packing list.

"Spur Holders would give us about 20 seconds to find something in our ruck sacks so they could see it," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Caruso, communication chief, HHT, 2-6 Cav. and native of Hornell, N.Y.

"Spur Holders are trying to implant the Cavalry spirit. As history states, Cavalry Soldiers were often sent on missions where nobody else would go," Woods noted.

"Cavalry Soldiers need to be self-contained to fulfill those missions; time management is a key instrument."

Once the candidates successfully completed the early layout, their physical fitness level was assessed in the Army Physical Fitness Test.

"Once the morning was over and the PT test was done, I knew I had dealt with a lot of challenges already," Caruso said with mud caked on his face. "I thought to myself, what else could the spur holders challenge us with and then I saw the mud pit."

With the sun shining and the temperature rising, the next challenge for candidates was a 20 foot low crawl under wire, a tire obstacle and a chariot pull through the rocky terrain of FOB Warrior.

"The mud pit was awesome," Denman explained. "Although I think I actually ate more mud than got on me."

While some candidates tried to stay clean in the mud, it was evident that spur holders thought differently and had more in store for them.

"The mud pit was a little cool off for us and was a great way to get through the rest of the day," Caruso said. "The chariot pull was brutal but it taught us to come together as a team because we weren't going to get through it as individuals."

Team building skills and leadership growth was a primary focus, whether by candidates or holders. Everyone at some point had to step up to the plate and accept leadership challenges.

"I am at the position in my Army career where I have had leadership roles but there were points today where my Soldiers were telling me what to do and I had to listen to them," Caruso said. "Not only did I have to put my rank aside but I visually saw them fulfill a leadership position."

Tired and their Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) covered with mud, candidates had one final task for the day, an 8-mile ruck march around FOB Warrior.

"After mile two, I wanted to quit but the buses didn't run on the course we were walking," Denmam said jokingly. "Yet, I knew how far I had come and didn't want to quit, plus I wanted my spurs."

"Everyone was tired from the entire day; the ruck march showed we had to pull together as one unit to get all of us through," Caruso said. "This morning we had the attitude that everyone who started together was going to finish together; there were times some Soldiers were carrying two ruck sacks because someone was so exhausted and we were a team."

Spur holders are the eyes and ears of the battlefield and it requires someone who is resourceful and a little daring, which is why candidates must endure so much to wear spurs, Woods believed.

After an exasperating day of demanding obstacles and countless push ups, spur candidates were treated to a bountiful dinner and ceremony where they received their polished silver spurs to wear on their boots.

"Today was a success because of the reactions I see from the Soldiers. They were not willing to quit and we put them through the wringer today," Woods noted. "That to me articulates success because many of the milestones we set for ourselves were covered today."