Ranger Challenge
The Ranger Challenge program is offered to any
student enrolled in the "Orleans" Battalion. Though having an under
standing of and experience in the U.S. Military is helpful, there is no U.S. Military
obligation to participate in this event! However, you must be enrolled in a military
science class because this is a Varsity Sport of ROTC. This is to give students a
better understanding of what the program is all about. In short, Ranger Challenge
puts squad-size teams from colleges and universities against each other in a series
of military skills tests. You will have an opportunity to become proficient in land
navigation, communications, tactics, rappelling,and physical fitness as well as other
areas. Ranger Challenge is designed to provide tough, mental and physical
challenges, and the opportunity for you to interact with other students or cadets who are
pursuing the same goal of training excellence, discipline, and TEAMWORK. After
enduring various challenges and making the team, you will compete with various colleges in
the two day competition at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. If you're not competing and a
part of our team, you can still tag along and support your team.
Ranger Challenge is a competition where teams of nine students compete in various events against other Universities. These events include:
Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
Patrolling Examination or Patrolling Test(written)
Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM)
M-16/M-60 Assembly
Grenade Assault Course
One Rope Bridge
10k Road March
Orienteering
Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
All the teams start with the APFT; administered by Military Cadre. The APFT includes two minutes of pushups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two mile run. For each event, the scoring will be based on the military standards found in the FM 21-20. To make things tougher, especially for us old people, all competitors will be evaluated in the 17-21 age group. Awards are presented for the best male and female score in each event.
Orienteering
In this event the teams break up into groups of two and go find points in the area with
only maps. The points are all shown on a master map. The team captains must
copy the points to their map so that each group can copy the points that they will
find. The score for each point is determined by the distance from the starting
point.
Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM)
BRM is an event where teams shoot an M16 for score. Each team member is given 9
rounds to zero their M-16. Most teams have their rifles zeroed just before reaching
competition, then they are given 40 rounds to shoot at a 25m scaled still target or life
size pop-up targets.
Grenade Assault Course
This course consists of over coming obstacles
and throwing simulated hand grenades at targets. Points in this event are awarded
based on the time to complete the course and your grenade aim. While on the course
cadets must use proper movement techniques such as the High Crawl, Low Crawl, Back Crawl,
Stand N' Throw, Squat N' Throw, and Prone Position to successfully complete the course.
One Rope Bridge
The team must run this course twice with the
final time being an average of the two runs. Teams must create a bridge and get all
team members across to the other side of a water hazard. There are only two
designated soldiers whom are able to venture into the water hazard. The One Rope
Bridge event is based on time and successful completion over the obstacle. There is
a time penalty assessed if anyone other than the two designated soldiers touches the
obstacle or if any items drop/touch the water hazard.
Weapons Assembly
Next, the M-16/M-60 assembly is an event where each team member must assemble a M-16 and a
M-60 for time. The weapons are disassembled into parts and thrown into a 34 X 34
wooden box. Each participant starts 50 meters from the box containing the
disassembled weapon. Then you must sprint to the box, and proceed to put both of the
weapons together in fast and orderly manner.
10 Kilometer Road March
The last event is the 10K Road March. Teams must complete a 10K run while wearing
full equipment including LBE with two canteens, an M-16, a ruck sack packed with a spare
uniform and an extra set of boots. The team also has to have a person carrying their
unit Guidon.
