![]() Upon successful completion of the Spur Ride, new spur holders are welcomed with a formal induction ceremony. Be recommended by a spur holder to the senior Troop/Squadron spur holder. ![]() Qualify "Expert" with primary weapon (generally a M9 or M16/M4).Meet height and weight requirements of AR 600-9.Score a minimum of 270 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).Many units require demonstrated leadership ability through planning and conducting unit-level training events such as gunnery ranges, soldier task training or other non-commissioned and commissioned officer-level tasks. The criteria for participation in the Spur Ride are set by each Cavalry unit, usually at the Squadron level. During the Spur Ride, candidates are also often required to recite from memory the traditional cavalry poem, " Fiddler's Green", or other traditions or historical information pertaining to the Cavalry. A written test is often also administered, with questions that cover United States Cavalry and unit history. Some of the tests evaluate leadership, technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, the ability to operate as part of a team under high levels of stress and fatigue under both day and night conditions, though the specific tests vary by unit. The conduct of a Spur Ride varies but it is generally an event held over multiple days during which a Trooper must pass a series of physical and mental tests relevant to the Cavalry. The Spur Ride is the only means of joining the Order of the Spur, aside from a wartime induction. ![]() 4th Cavalry Regiment instructs candidates on the assembly of an M2 Browning machine gun after their first try during a 2006 spur ride. Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded spurs.Ī spur holder with the U.S. New Troopers were given the “Prince of Wales Spurs” because they may misuse or overuse the actual rowel of real spurs, injuring the horse. The horse with a shaved tail was given extra space in which to operate since its rider was marked as a novice. These new Troopers were in need of extensive training in all areas of horsemanship. ![]() This led to the nickname "Shave Tail" for newly assigned, spur-less Soldiers. When green Troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail. The tradition of having to "earn your spurs" reaches back to the beginning of the American Cavalry. 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. Army Infantry, as well as the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge hold to U.S. 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. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed the Spur Ride. 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. 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". 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 or with a Cavalry unit. The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Military, foreign military, and civilian personnel. Certificate for induction into the Order of the Spur for combat action in Tal Afar, Iraq.Ĭompletion of a spur ride or combat service in a cavalry unit.
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