Spur Ride: The Ruck March

Before I get into the Ruck March, a few of you have asked what the Spur Ride is. So I took a few paragraphs from our history study guide that explain it fairly well.


The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition in the United States Army. For a cavalry Trooper (the cavalry equivalent of the word "Soldier") to join the order of the spur, they must pass a series of tests set by their command--the spur ride. Once accomplished, the Trooper is awarded spurs to be worn with his or her military uniform. However, a Trooper may forgo the tests in joining the order of the spur if they see combat with their cavalry unit. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed a spur ride. Therefore, silver spurs and gold spurs hold a relationship in the cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge holds in the infantry.
Induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and the status travels with the Soldier from unit to unit. There is no 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. As a member of the order, a cavalry Trooper also acquires the last benefit of stopping for a drink at the mythical canteen Fiddler's Green on their descent into Hell.
The tradition of having to "earn your spurs" reaches back to the beginning of the 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, spurless Soldiers. These new Troopers were in need of extensive training, especially in the area of swordsmanship from atop a horse. The horse with a shaved tail was given extra space in which to operate since its rider was marked as an amateur. During this phase of training the Troopers were not allowed to wear spurs because this would only serve to compound their problems. Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded spurs.

The first event of the Spur Ride was the ruck march. The team had to finish a 2.2 mile march wearing body armor along with a full combat load of ammunition, a ruck filled with numerous items, and our M-16/ M-4. In order to be awarded the full 10 points at the station, the team had to finish in under 35 minutes. We had a practice ruck march prior to the Spur Ride and we finished in 35:09. It proved to be a helpful preparation as we finished somewhere around the 33:00- 34:00 mark. Unfortunately, we didn't snap any pictures, but those who did were kind enough to share them. The ruck march was followed by the tire change station, which I will put up a post in a few days for that. For now, I have a few photos of the first event to share with you. Enjoy. Soldiers crossing the start line, beginning their 2.2 mile march.
Soldiers pushing it hard in the final 300 meters.
CPT Lunsford carrying double the weight. HOOAH!

Team America rests before heading out to their first station.