Former Mitchell man completes ‘Spur Ride’

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Former Mitchell resident and Dakota Wesleyan University professor Anthony “Tony” Cole participated in a Spur Ride with the 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat team, 1st Cavalry Division while deployed in Kuwait last May.

During the 72-hour event, candidates (Shave-tails) are tested on their physical and mental toughness. Shavetails endured 115 degree heat and less than three hours of sleep during the event while being evaluated on team-building, leadership and communication skills. The event kicked off with an eight-mile march carrying a 65-pound pack, followed by a helicopter insertion into the Kuwaiti desert.

The Shave-tails were further evaluated on combat medical skills, military tactics, military vehicle maintenance and military weapons assembly all under simulated combat conditions at night. The Spur Ride concluded with the presentation of the silver spurs to those Shavetails that successfully completed the ride.

His citation states that Cole is “hereby authorized to wear the silver or gold spurs forevermore.” Silver spurs signify soldiers that have completed a spur ride, whereas gold spurs designate those soldiers that have been deployed with a cavalry unit in a war zone. Cole also received a Commander’s Coin from Lt. Colonel Jason Carrico, commander of the 115th BSB, for inspiring some of the younger troopers to earn their spurs. At 48, Cole was the oldest participant in the ride.

Cole is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed with the 983rd Medical Detachment from Ft. Snelling, Minn., to Kuwait from October 2011 until September 2012. He has been reassigned to the 793rd Medical Detachment in Denver, Colo., and will be redeploying to Kuwait later this year. Cole and his wife, Jodie Barker, reside in Plainville, Kan.

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