Bemowo Piskie, Poland. (April 15, 2023): In this photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Foster, U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,1st Cavalry Division
run the ammunition transfer under fire portion of the multinational Exercise Spur Ride.

The Americans were joined by English, Croatian, and Romanian soldiers in the annual event that is a tradition among the U.S. Cavalry. The Spur Ride is designed to test a cavalry trooper’s physical strength and mental toughness through a series of realistic combat situations. The Spur Ride traces its roots to the early U.S. Cavalry where the new recruits were assigned horses with a shaved tail, indicating their status as rookies. Like their modern-day counterparts, today’s troopers must “Earn their spurs” by showing they are capable of completing tasks necessary to being a cavalryman.

The exercise consists of a series of demanding physical and mental competitions including calling for firemissions, medical evacuations, working in a chemical hazard environment, and reacting to contact with the enemy. Successful graduates are presented their silver spurs and are indoctrinated into the Order of the Spur, a lifetime membership in this honorable tradition.

The 1st Cavalry is supporting the 4th Infantry Division assigned to Europe to conduct multinational training exercises across the continent with our NATO allies.