As a Cavalry Scout deployed in a combat zone. What is required to receive the Gold Spur award?

PFC Douglas Stutz — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 03:45:54 -0400

I was a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout deployed in Operation Desert Storm. 2nd Armored Division 1st Tiger Brigade Brigade reconassiance. Attached to the Marine Central Command designated DIVRECON for Tiger Brigade was the last active unit in the Division. My platoon was in combat I'm just wondering f I am eligible and if so what I would have to do (even though I am no longer in the service) to receive or even if I still can receive the Gold Spur?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 9 at 2020 4:49 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 04:49:09 -0400

Gold Spurs Buddy. Here's an extract for the 19D Cavalry Scout files section:

"I've been noticing a lot of bickering about which type of 'Spurs' were higher. Here's something that was worked out in the early 1990s.
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The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army.
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The Spur Hierarchy in order of precedence determined by various Cavalry CSMs around 1990 was as follows
1. Combat Spurs - Gold (actually brass for enlisted Dragoon/Cavalry Revolutionary War) Officers and enlisted must have served assigned or attached in combat with Cavalry or Scout/Recon element.
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2. Cold War Spurs - Bronze (some units Silver) (since 1945 - 1990 but not by all units). The earlier era ‘Spur Ride’ utilized the concept of Cavalry units, Scout Platoons (like with Infantry or Armor BNs) deployed on the East-West German Border, the Korean DMZ or the Panama Canal Zone. The Stateside Cavalry units and Scout/Recon elements that deployed overseas to Europe, Japan/Korea or Panama large scale exercises in support of the Army mission were included. Soldiers had to receive MOS performance pay (prior to 1970s) or pass 80%+ (late 1970s) on their SQT/Common Core Tests, + receive a distinguished with their Scout team/squad/section's Scout Proficiency Course (SSPC) or their crew's tank, Sheridan, Artillery, Anti-tank, ADA etc gunnery. Though called Spur Rides their criteria and implementation of the practice was based on an extended, longer-time term Qualification Ethos which was in performance of their duties. Often this process took between 6 to 15 months. That time window is based on I saw two guys make it 6 months and never knew of but one (he got injured) taking till 15 months.
NOTE1: The Cold War Spurs have in some units been adapted to what is now called "Deployment Spurs". These are awarded for Overseas Deployments where there isn't Combat but are in support of exercises in foreign countries such as Poland. and Korea's 'Team Spirit' and Thailand's 'Cobra Gold'.
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3. Rider Spurs - Silver (started up in some stateside units about 1980). The later era or Post-Cold War Spur Ride was developed to carry on the Order of the Spur tradition. The modern ‘Spur Ride’ varies from unit to unit, 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, detached/attached (such as with an Infantry HQs) Scout/Recon platoon . 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. A written test is often also administered, with questions that cover United States Cavalry and unit history.
NOTE2: Some units award participants in the Cavalry's Best Scout Competition the Rider Spurs if they have not already earned them..
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That's pretty much 'The Hierarchy' and it's based on some pretty practical precepts - Combat thumps all, Risk to Life is second (the West German Border and Korean DMZ had many skirmishes) and a demonstration (though grueling - not life threatening) of the Trooper's performance is lowest.
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I hope this helps."

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2020 9:51 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 09:51:04 -0400

It was always my understanding that IOT get the Gold Spurs, you had to be in a combat zone attached/assigned to a Cav unit and go thru a Spur Ride in said combat zone. I could be wrong, though.

Response by SFC Jeff Holcombe made Jul 9 at 2020 10:32 AM

SFC Jeff Holcombe — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:32:54 -0400

My certificate says successful completion of more then 6 months in a combat zone. I didn't do a spur ride in Iraq.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 9 at 2020 11:41 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 11:41:44 -0400

Spurs are not a recognized Army Award. It’s a unit program. It works however the senior commander says it works. They usually have an SOP. If there was no unit spur program and the unit is gone, I don’t see a way unless another Cavalry unit brings you in under theirs.

Response by SFC Martin Salazar made Jul 21 at 2020 1:04 AM

SFC Martin Salazar — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 01:04:33 -0400

Contact the CSM of your former Cavalry Unit give him a copy of your DD214 and any other documents that show who you were attached to etc. and request a golden Spur certificate from him. Keep in mind this is a request so be respectful and professional in your request. I’ve never known a Cavalry CSM not take care of a Trooper.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 23 at 2020 2:10 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 02:10:44 -0400

It's a made up thing with no true criteria. It is what the Commander says it is. If you were in a Scout PLT, I would go through the PSG and PL of that PLT. Hopefully they were 19D and 19A and can square you away.

But even if they can, it is, at best, a certificate to hang on the wall. It won't go on your DD 214, or any other official record.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 10:52 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 22:52:41 -0400

You have to be within 30 meters of IDF

Response by SPC Alexander Bendyna III made Apr 10 at 2021 12:22 AM

SPC Alexander Bendyna III — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 00:22:29 -0400

Totally dependent on your chain of command. For me, it was 3-months in Iraq to get awarded gold spurs.