Cavalry Spurs!!!!!

[HoffDawg]

For those of you who know what a Spur ride is, I completed mine last night. All I got to say is I am glad it is over, and it is something I am gonna be proud of for the rest of my life.

[rubydog]

Congrats and thanks for your service...

[jesterdoc]

Congrats Hoff, that a heck of an accomplishment.

[HoffDawg]

I don't think I have ever been in so much pain in my life. I have never wanted to quit anything so bad. But I pushed through it, and in the end when they put those spurs on boots, I was glad I didn't quit. The spur ride is something not ever can or will do, it feels good to be part of such a great tradition.

Halfway down the trail to Hell.
Near a shady meadow green
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green

Marching past, straight through to Hell.
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines.
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green

[Hoyt Man]

Congrats and thank you for your service. I know my son is looking forward to when he can do his spur ride.

[HoffDawg]

17 hours later, and I am still sore as hell. Could barely roll out of bed... Definatly worth it tho.

Hoyt Man- good luck to your son when he does do it. It will be something he will be proud of for the rest of his life.

[grizzman]

Congratulations! I was in the Infantry, but I know how much it means to the Cav to get their spurs.

[T/Chmr]

Congrats Hoff. My Spurs, Stetson and Saber are some of my most prized possessions......along with my Z7 Xtreme!!!!

[tbeak]

Could you explain what it is and means? For us non military. Congrats to I've always liked the calvery. Is it all mechanized now or do yall still do horses? Are they just for ceremony now?
Thanks

[Geezy Rider]

Could you explain what it is and means? For us non military. Congrats to I've always liked the calvery. Is it all mechanized now or do yall still do horses? Are they just for ceremony now?
Thanks

The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Soldiers serving with Cavalry units (referred to as Troopers) are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of a Cavalry unit. Traditionally, each Trooper is presented spurs by his sponsor at a ceremonial dining in commonly referred to as the "Spur Dinner". The spurs are to 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 and the Combat Infantryman Badge hold in the 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 Spur Ride is the only means of joining the Order of the Spur, aside from a wartime induction. The Spur Ride is an event normally held over multiple days[1] during which a Trooper must pass a series of physical and mental tests that evaluate leadership, technical and tactical proficiency, and the ability to operate as part of a team under high levels of stress and fatigue, under both day and night conditions. A written test is often administered, with questions that cover United States Cavalry and unit history. During the Spur Ride, candidates will be required to recite from memory the traditional cavalry poem, Fiddler's Green, or other traditions or historical information pertaining to the Cavalry.

The criteria for participation in the Spur Ride are set by each Cavalry unit, usually at the Squadron level. Many units require demonstrated leadership ability through planning and conducting unit-level training events such as gunnery ranges, soldier task training or other NCO/Officer-level tasks. Some examples of minimum criteria are:

Score a minimum of 250 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Meet height and weight requirements of AR 600-9.
Qualify "Expert" with primary weapon (M9 or M16/M4).
Be recommended by Troop First Sergeant and Commander.
Upon successful completion of the Spur Ride, new spur holders are welcomed with a formal induction ceremony. The ceremony is a dining in, called the Spur Dinner, that often includes other military traditions such as honoring lost comrades, a ceremonial punch[1] (called a grog), and a roll call of the successful candidates. Some units also hold a "hero's breakfast" immediately following the end of the Spur Ride. During the breakfast, the unit commander presents a toast welcoming the successful candidates to the brotherhood prior to the formal induction ceremony.

Congratulations Trooper.

[titleist9]

congrats !!!

[tbeak]

Thank you for the explanation and CONGRATS!

[HoffDawg]

thanks y'all.