FT. RUCKER, Ala. - One-hundred-and-fifty-years ago they would have been thundering across a Midwest prairie on sturdy horses, steel sabers at their sides and a cloud of dust trailing behind.
Today the men of a Florida Army National Guard Cavalry unit carry M-4 rifles in place of swords or revolvers and train for global missions never even dreamed of by the old "horse soldiers" of the nineteenth century. But despite the modern updates to this specialized scout unit, its Soldiers carry on their U.S. Cavalry heritage through an annual test known as a "Spur Ride."
Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment, took part in this annual spur ride challenge in the woods of Ft. Rucker, Ala., Jan. 10. Since part of the cavalry heritage includes wearing spurs on boots, the 153rd is keeping that tradition alive for Soldiers qualified as cavalrymen; those who passed the challenge are allowed to wear silver spurs on their boots during unit ceremonies.
The event began at 3 a.m. and included a 10-mile "ruck march," during which the Soldiers stopped at different stations to complete tasks specific to the Army scout. Some of these tasks included: using visual signaling techniques; map reading; performing first aid; employing hand grenades and mines; and moving under direct fire.
Since each Soldier was required to get 100 percent completion at each station to earn their spurs – and as a testament to the difficult nature of the spur ride – only 34 of the 114 who tested earned the right to wear their spurs.
"This is our second spur ride, and a lot of our Soldiers have already obtained their spurs from going through the ride last year at Eglin Air Force Base," explained squadron commander Lt. Col. Mike Canzoneri. "Those that have already done it are walking with those who haven't...They are trying to help their fellow Soldiers get through the tasks."
The 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment is comprised of more than 400 Soldiers in troops based throughout Florida's Panhandle: Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (Panama City); Alpha Troop (Bonifay); Bravo Troop (Pensacola); Charlie Troop (Tallahassee); and Forward Support Company (Chipley).
Canzoneri explained that the unit – nicknamed the "Darkhorse Squadron" – has been heavily engaged in training since it changed from an infantry battalion to a cavalry squadron in late 2007.
"There's a lot of training going on, and we took this opportunity to get back to our 'Cav' heritage and do the spur ride again" he said.
Squadron Executive Officer Maj. Joseph Lyon explained that tradition of "earning your spurs" derived from the early days of the U.S. Cavalry troopers, when the newest members of the unit were only allowed to wear spurs after they proved "their ability to perform with their horse and saber."
Today, he said, the Soldiers can either earn a pair of silver spurs by completing a "spur ride" or earn gold spurs by serving as a cavalry Soldier in combat.
"Silver and gold spurs hold a similar relationship for the cavalry as the Expert Infantry Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge hold in the Infantry," he noted.
For 1st Sgt. Robert Ponder of the Tallahassee-based Charlie Troop, completing the rigorous spur ride marked a milestone in his military career – the 47-year-old Soldier celebrated 30 years of service in the National Guard on Jan. 11.
"I really enjoy working with the Soldiers and lending my experience," Ponder explained.
Because he missed the spur ride last year, he felt the need to complete the event along with the younger Soldiers in his troop. Ponder said he and the leaders in Charlie Troop constantly try to mentor the newer cavalry troopers who join their unit; that, in turn, inspires the Soldiers to be better and let's them know they are important and respected.
"Once you come into the unit it is one big family," Ponder explained. "It's very close-knit; it's that type of unit."