I participated in the 3-1 Cav Spouse Spur Ride on Sat, Oct 13. I had absolutely no idea what was in store for me! I was under the impression a "spur ride" meant something to do with horses......I was way, way off!! A Spur Ride is basically a test for Cav soldiers in order for them to earn the right to wear spurs. A Spouse Spur Ride is an extremely watered down version of the soldier Spur Ride. We had to march in formation everywhere we went, and we had 6 stations to go through. We were tested at each station and earned points, and whichever troop had the most points at the end of the day would win. We had to come up with a motto, so since we are HHT (Headquarters and Headquarters Troop) we decided to be "Happy Hot Toddys" (it got a lot of laughs and "how do you spell that?" all day!). Our first station was medical and I was most nervous there, since I knew if I failed Matt would be pretty disappointed :) But my team did great and got 90 out of 100! I even got "blood" on me. We got to pretend to engage enemies (with water balloons), shot blanks out of a rifle and dis- and re-assembled weapons, and I got to ride as a gunner in a HMMWV! I only had one issue - at the gas mask station I got extremely clastrouphobic and started hyperventilating. The Spur Holders were so nice and let me sit that one out without it affecting our overall score. At the closing ceremony it was announced that two teams had 2 points difference, and since the SCO's wife was on our team we found out that we were the 2nd place team :( The winning team got spurs! But we can purchase our own, since I am now an official Spur Holder!! I can wear spurs to Cav functions, like formal balls, now! Anyone know how to attach spurs to high heels??
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| ACU's do not make a flattering figure |
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| Getting inside a Bradley |
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| Outside Brigade Headquarters |
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| Brigade Headquarters |
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| Me and the SCO's wife (Squadron Commanding Officer) |
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| I totally dis- and re-assembled that! |
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| Proof :) |