CAMP GRAYLING – Private First Class Jeremy Krueger of New Buffalo has been awarded his Silver Cavalry Spur and inducted into Order of the Spur for completing the infamous “Cavalry Spur Ride.”

The Spur Ride is the only means of joining the Order of the Spur, aside from a wartime induction.

The Spur Ride is an event during which a trooper must pass a series of physical and mental tests that evaluate leadership, technical and tactical proficiency and the ability to operate as part of a team under high levels of stress and fatigue, under both day and night conditions.

A written test is often administered, with questions that cover U.S. Cavalry and unit history.

During the Spur Ride, candidates will be required to recite from memory the traditional cavalry poem, Fiddler’s Green, or other traditions and historical information pertaining to the Cavalry.

Upon successful completion of the Spur Ride, new spur holders are welcomed with a formal induction ceremony.

The ceremony is called the Spur Dinner, that often includes other military traditions such as honoring lost comrades and unit history, and the awarding of the Spurs along with the formal induction into the Order of the Spur.

Private First Class Krueger is assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment, Dowagiac, Michigan Army National Guard, and has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for just over one year.

Private First Class Krueger attended basic training combined with advanced individual training during the summer of 2008, at Fort Benning, Ga.

Specialist Billy King of Marshall has also been awarded his Silver Calvary Spurs and inducted into Order of the Spur for completing the Cavalry Spur Ride.

Specialist King is assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment, Dowagiac, Michigan Army National Guard, and has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for nine years.

Specialist King attended basic training combined with advanced individual training during the summer of 2001 at Fort Knox, Ky.

SPC King is a 2005 and 2008 veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his tours, he served both times as a convoy combat platform gunner.

SPC King and his wife, Krista, have three children, Devon, Ethan and Aubrey.

Specialist Scott Tipsword of Three Rivers has been awarded his Silver Calvary Spurs and inducted into Order of the Spur for completing the Cavalry Spur Ride.

Specialist Tipsword is assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment, Dowagiac, Michigan Army National Guard, and has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for three years.

Specialist Tipsword attended basic training combined with advanced individual training during the summer of 2006 at Fort Knox, Ky.

Specialist Tipsword is a 2008 veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his tour, he served as a convoy combat platform gunner.

Specialist Andrew Prater of Cedar Springs has been awarded his Silver Cavalry Spurs and inducted into Order of the Spur for completing the Cavalry Spur Ride.

Specialist Prater is assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment, Dowagiac, Michigan Army National Guard, and has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for four years.

Specialist Prater attended basic training combined with advanced individual training during the summer of 2006 at Fort Knox, Ky.

Specialist Prater is a 2008 veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his tour, he served as a convoy combat platform driver.

Specialist Prater and his wife, Jessica, have one child, Landon.

Second Lt. Tyler Piper of Augusta has been awarded his Silver Cavalary Spurs and inducted into Order of the Spur for completing the Cavalry Spur Ride.

Second Lt. Piper is assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment, Dowagiac, Michigan Army National Guard, and has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for five years.

Piper attended basic training during the summer of 2005 at Fort Sill, Okla., and Officer Candidate School in 2008.

Second Lt. Piper is the son of Robert and Susan Piper of Augusta.