Airmen awarded Army combat spurs

Published Feb. 11, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- A time honored Army tradition took place here Feb. 10, as many Soldiers earned their combat spurs. But what made the ceremony even more unique was among the recipients was an Airmen.

Senior Airman Keith Booze, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Assistance Group personnel technician, was presented his combat spurs by Army Brig. Gen. Keith Walker, IAG commanding general, for enduring a grueling regiment of task under stressed conditions designed to assess the trainees' decision making process and endurance in combat environments.

"I figured it would be nice to do something different ... something out of my element," said Airman Booze. "But I'll tell you one thing, I didn't anticipate it being that difficult."

The Order of the Spur is an Army Cavalry tradition. Soldiers serving with Cavalry units are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of a Cavalry unit.

"For 30 hours, 15 IAG servicemembers went through a rigorous spur ride conducted by spur holders from the personal security detachment platoon," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua G. Wilson, platoon sergeant, PSD platoon, IAG. "The spur candidates, in three five-man teams, were tested on day and night dismounted land navigation; weapons proficiency; leadership; platoon standard operating procedures and battle drills; first aid; medical evacuations; chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear protective tasks; vehicle recovery; patrol base procedures and the history of 1st Infantry Division, their parent unit."

"This was a great opportunity for many of the men in the platoon to push themselves mentally and physically and to learn the importance of teamwork and determination in accomplishing a task," 1st Lt. Scott Hinz, PSD platoon leader, IAG.

Airmen Booze, a member of the 18th Force Support Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan and Liberty, Texas native, said it was an honor to be awarded the combat spurs.
"It was a really big honor earning my spurs," said Airman Booze. "It's kind of a right of passage for those guys, in their respective MOS. I have a great deal of respect for them and what they do everyday, so when they asked me to do it, that was enough in itself."

Airman Booze also said that he has a new appreciation for those involved and that he couldn't have done it with out them.

"I would like to thank Sergeant Wilson for allowing me to participate with his guys in this and also, Leuitenant Hinz for pushing me through and telling me not to give up. I think I left with a new understanding of what those guys do," he said.