Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today
SDSU recently sent two Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) teams to The Ranger Challenge competition held at Camp Pendleton, CA November 13-15.
The Ranger Challenge is a competition that challenges the physical fitness, mental toughness, and military skills of each team in a variety of events.
The SDSU teams took 4th and 5th place overall out of 8 teams. They received one streamer for their flag guidon for placing first and second in the First Aid portion of the competition. Captain Chris McCloud, US Army, MS II Course Director, San Diego State University Army ROTC noted “We had a very young team this year mostly consisting of Freshman and sophomores and were competing against juniors and seniors. Next year we see no reason why they won't be able to place in the top teams.”
SDSU Team Fury and Team Spartan, each consisting of 9 cadets and 2 alternates for a total of 20 participated in mentally and physically rigorous series of competitions including;
- Modified Army Physical Fitness Test (1-mile litter carry with full equipment and a casualty)
- Land Navigation Written Test
- Land Navigation - 8 points on the course in two hours
- Construct a one-rope bridge
- First Aid
- Scenario (have to look at something for 1 min and then send a detailed report on what you've observed)
- Hand Grenade Assault Course
- Leader Reaction Lane (given a situation and must complete it in the fastest time possible)
- 10 kilometer foot march with full equipment
- Commander's Challenge - Teams were given a scenario and quickly had to develop a plan and complete the course in the fastest time possible. It consisted of carrying a person on a little for about 250 meters and then they had to switch team members and do it again.
The ROTC is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.To learn more about SDSU ROTC click here
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