DDS Graphics

What operational terms and graphics does the US Army Cavalry use?

I am participating in a US Army Cavalry Spur Ride in a couple days. They gave me a list of things that I have to study and one of them is operational terms and graphics that the Cav would use, but they didn't tell me what any of the are. I have the complete manual of all Army operational terms and graphics but there are about 100 pages with more than 3000 graphics. I was wondering if anyone knew what to focus on.

Public Comments

1. Cross upwards swords as graphics and "charge" as operational term.
2. That's a hard one. Maybe you should focus on one unit. I'll give you one. 6-8 Cavs. It would be 6th batallion 8th infantry regiment. They are with the 3rd infantry division. My son was attatched to them in Iraq. Their unofficial motto is : If you ain't CAV you ain't sh@t!!. You can look them up under www.stewart.army.mil. They would be under 4 th brigade or "Vanguard" brigade. I do believe it will give you some of thier info. As far as the ensignia and motto goes, you should have it in your book if it is listed by battalion. I hope this helps. I hope you represent the 6-8. They are a great bunch of guys and it is an honor to know some of them.
3. -NAI Named Area of Interest (places indicated to be checked out) Willl be marked on a map with the specific NAI, i.e. NAI 1 etc. -Route Recon- used to inspect a route, traditionally for checking for trafficability( sharp turns, steep grade) of a route for certain vehicles and to determine if there are any obstructions. -Recon symbol is a box with a line running from bottom left to upper right with appropriate unit marking on top. -Area recon- Self defining, recon of a certain area, usually to a certain phase line. -Cloverleaf, a technique of recon where a team would come close to the OBJ, back out, move around and come back in close all the way around an OBJ, hence forming a cloverleaf type pattern. Used since movement is harder to spot coming forward then side to side. These are just a few right off the top of my head, Mail me and I'll think of a few more for you. Just make sure you know the universal basics of terms and graphics. They're just going to screw with you regardless of whether you know it or not. Is your spur ride in teams? It's all about gutting it out on the spur ride, do your best and push yourself. It's hell. I was a 2LT when I did mine, I think a young GB definatly gets a little "special" treatment on a spur ride, lol.
4. I am sure that since you are participating in a spur ride then you have a unit that you are doing it with and for. I am in the 3rd Armored Cavalry unit. All Cavalry's motto's in General are: If You Ain't Cav, You Ain't Shit. However that is not each unit's Motto. Each unit Has a greeting of the day. I would find out what your Regiments greeting of the Day is first off. Then I would ask what the Answer to the greeting of the Day is, this is mostly given by the officers in the unit, When you pass them and give them the greeting of the day, along with a Salute. As in Operational terms, the Cav, in general all call there Soldiers, Troopers, instead of Soldiers, because they are a part of a troop. A troop is a smaller part of the Regiment. I hope this gives you at least something to start with Good Luck and Brave Rifles If this is a spouse's spur ride, then you dont have anything to worry about, you will be just fine.
5. Concentrate on the ones for combat units. You will probably need to know the symbol for an infantry battalion but probably not for a POL depot.