Email   Print   Share By Spc. Angel Turner 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

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Soldiers from 1-9 Cav. Regt., 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. teach spouses the fundamentals of marksmanship at the Engagement Skills Trainer during a spouse spur ride Sept. 7 at Fort Hood. Spc. Angel Turner, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Spouses of Soldiers from 1-9 Cav. Regt., 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. engage 25-meter targets during the weapons portion of a spouse spur ride Sept. 7 at Fort Hood. The spur ride built appreciation for the unit and understanding for spouses of what their Soldiers do every day. Spc. Angel Turner, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Ramona Walsh (right) and her “battle buddy” navigate an obstacle course Sept. 7 during a spouse spur ride. Spouses of Soldiers from 1-9 Cav. Regt., 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. completed simulated weapons training, a live-fire range, an obstacle course and a simulated convoy live-fire exercise before earning silver spurs. Spc. Angel Turner, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Families of Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division navigated through an array of tasks during a spouse spur ride Sept. 7 at Fort Hood.

Motivating each other with war cries, the group of spur candidates set out to have fun, accomplish some Army tasks and prove to their spouses that they had what it took to complete the day’s mission.

“This is going to bring the Families closer together so there is a shared, common experience,” said 2nd Lt. Adam Gittleman, a platoon leader with C Troop, 1-9 Cav.

Twenty-four spouses gathered at the Training Support Center where they began the spur ride at the Engagement Skills Trainer.

Soldiers demonstrated the basic fundamentals of marksmanship on mock M-4 and M-16 assault rifle systems: steady breathing, correct site picture, trigger squeeze and body position. The group of spouses proceeded to zero their weapon systems while getting accustomed to the feel of shooting the rifles.

“The squadron has always been big on Family,” said Gittleman, coordinator of the spouse spur ride. “We wanted to get as many Families as we could together out here on Fort Hood so we could showcase all the great things our troopers do in training and give the spouses a chance to experience a little bit of that.”

Once everyone completed the EST, Soldiers and their Families marched to a nearby range to engage targets using live ammunition. Upon command, the sound of rounds cracked the silent air.

Remembering the fundamentals learned previously in the day, spouses fired 15 rounds at a target 25 meters away. Proud faces of both Soldiers and their loved ones filled the range once everyone saw just how well the novice shooters did.

“I decided to do the spur ride because I thought this would be an awesome opportunity to have some Family time and also gain some knowledge on what Soldiers do every single day,” said Ramona Walsh, who has been married

roughly 15 years to Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Walsh, the squadron’s motor control sergeant assigned to D Troop, 1-9 Cav. Regt.

The next objectives for the day included high crawling, carrying weighted ammunition cans on a balancing beam and throwing simulated grenades as part of a timed obstacle course. In teams of two, the spur candidates maneuvered through the course, encouraging each other as the physical strain begin to become evident while the sun blazed overhead.

“Cover me while I move,” and “I got you covered” quickly echoed from obstacle to obstacle. Soldiers continuously encouraged their guests, telling them they could make it even when the ones taking part in the spur ride said otherwise.

“This shows Families that the unit cares about Family time. It also gives Families more appreciation for the unit in a sense that we understand what Soldiers go through,” Walsh said.

The final tasks of the day included assaulting enemy forces in a simulated High Mobility Multipurpose Vehicle at the Warrior Skills Trainer.

Spouses took turns driving the vehicle and firing at opposing forces displayed on multiple screens around the HMMVW. The wives continuously scanned the screens and waited to fire from their turrets.

“This helps build a relationship, because we understand what our spouses do and how hard they work,” Walsh added.

After completing a day of strenuous tasks that many were not accustomed to, the spouses proudly received their silver spurs and their certificates.

“Job well done,” said Lt. Col. Jose Polanco, commander of the 1-9 Cav. Regt.

“You guys really accomplished a lot today. You giving up your time and wanting to be part of the Army Family, the ‘Head Hunters’ Family, really means a lot to all of us,”

Polanco said. “Thank you again for giving up your time today to see what we are all about.”