Cavalry Badass test: 82 Bandits join Order of the Spur

By 1st Lt. Patrick Culberson

82 Bandits overcome challenges, join Order of the Spur

By 1st Lt. Patrick Culberson

After completing more than 40 miles of foot movement, a myriad of tactical tasks and a 2-day spur ride, 82 Bandits were inducted into the honorable Order of the Spur.

One hundred and fourteen troopers assigned to 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) vied for the opportunity to earn their spurs.

The Order of the Spur is a historical tradition within the cavalry. Troopers shed the name “inexperienced shaved-tail” and join the ranks of the seasoned spur holders. During the event, troopers were divided into five teams.

The teams were comprised of 1-32nd CAV Soldiers from across the squadron with different ranks and military occupational specialties.

The team endured the tests together through cold weather, harsh conditions and intense physical demand.

Sergeant Matthew Pietrangelo, cavalry scout, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1-32nd CAV, said the ride is meant to test the Soldiers’ resilience. He is a spur holder. This is the sixth spur ride he has helped facilitate.

“It’s meant to break you,” he said. “You see a look in their eyes that they want to quit, but they don’t. They always find a way to dig down deeper and find motivation in the smallest things they can to keep pushing through.”

Specialist Lance Dooly, cavalry scout, A Troop, 1-32nd CAV, was a member of Team 3 during the event. The Apache Lane was his favorite part of the Spur Ride.

“It’s almost like it’s your older brother picking on you. We’re like a Family,” he said. “We only had two (Soldiers) drop (from the event) because we all banded together. It was a great team and experience.”

The teams worked together to push each other past adversity. This was an opportunity for all participants to understand the challenges scouts face during their missions. Soldiers witnessed firsthand the effort it takes to conduct reconnaissance tasks.

First Lieutenant Rion Dillard, assistant intelligence officer, HHT, 1-32nd CAV, said this was his first time participating in a Spur Ride. He said his group had a strong team dynamic.

“Whenever one of us felt like we couldn’t finish, we’d be sure to uplift one another to get to the end,” he said.

Although the challenges were physically demanding, Dillard said there also were mental obstacles to overcome.

“It was extremely cold,” he said. “It was all about getting through that first night below freezing and keep pushing to the next lanes until the sun came up.”

THE ORDER OF THE SPUR
The “Order of the Spur” is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Troopers serving in Cavalry units are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a series of evaluations set by the command, culminating in the final test; the “Spur Ride” or for having served during combat as a member of or with a Cavalry unit. A trooper who has earned both Silver and Gold spurs is known as a “Master Spur Holder.” Traditionally, each Trooper is presented spurs by his sponsor at a ceremonial dining in commonly referred to as the “Spur Dinner”. Both silver and gold spurs are authorized for wear and should be worn with the military uniform during Squadron or Regimental ceremonies and events or as designated by the Cavalry unit commander. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed the Spur Ride. Within the tradition, silver spurs and gold spurs hold a similar relationship for the cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge hold in the U.S.

Army Infantry. There is no Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the Order of the Spur and the order is open to members of foreign militaries serving with U.S. Cavalry units.

The tradition of having to “earn your spurs” reaches back to the beginning of the American Cavalry. When green Troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail. This led to the nickname “Shave Tail” for newly assigned, spur-less Soldiers. These new Troopers were in need of extensive training in all areas of horsemanship. The horse with a shaved tail was given extra space in which to operate since its rider was marked as a novice. New Troopers were not allowed to wear spurs because they may misuse or overuse the spurs, injuring the horse. Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded spurs.

Induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and the status travels with the soldier from unit to unit. There is no specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the order of the spur, and the order is open to members of foreign military serving with U.S. Cavalry units. According to Cavalry legend, as a member of the order, a Trooper also acquires the last benefit of stopping for a drink at the mythical canteen “Fiddler’s Green” on their descent into Hell.