Ranger Challenge 2019 (Taskforce East) Day #1 Events

Ranger Challenge Tab

Day #1 Events (Oct. 25th)

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Ranger Challenge Tab

Event #1 – Commander’s Challenge

spring drag carry course

Event #1a – Climbing Wall

Task: All Cadets Complete the climbing wall within 15 minutes.

Condition: Given 15 minutes, 1x 3 sided Climbing wall with all safety equipment each cadet will climb the wall safely.

Standards: All members of the team will tie a Rappel seat be inspected then use 1 of 3 lanes to climb and touch the top of wall until every member is complete within 15 minutes. Every Cadet that doesn’t complete the wall climb within 15 minutes will earn a 1 minute penalty added to the overall course completion time. Each team will be released to continue the events at the 15 minute mark.

climbing wall

Note: Rappel seat will be inspected by certified Rappel Master before being allowed on the wall.


Event #1B – Sprint, Drag, Carry

Task: Cadets will complete the ACFT Sprint/Drag/Carry as fast as possible until all team members are complete and move to the start of the obstacle course.

Condition: Given 5 lanes 25 meters long, 5 tire sleds, 2 filled water cans, and instructions.

Standards: Cadets will start in the prone pushup position. When 1st 5 Cadets are down they may begin the event. Once a lane is complete the Cadet waiting may assume that lane and reset equipment and begin on there own once in the prone position.

Sprint: Cadets will sprint 25m; touch 25m line with foot and hand; turn and sprint back to the start line. If Cadet fails to touch 25m line with hand and foot, the grader will call them back.

Drag: Cadet will grasp each strap handle of the tire sled which will be positioned behind the start line; pull the sled backwards until the entire sled crosses the 25m line; turn sled around and pull back until the entire sled crosses the start line. Entire sled must cross both turn around and start lines or grader will call them back.

Lateral: After the entire sled crosses the start line, the Cadet will perform a lateral for 25m, touch the 25m turn line with foot and hand, and perform the lateral back to the start line. The Cadet will face same direction both ways. If Cadet fails to touch 25m turn line with hand and foot, the grader will call them back.

Carry: Cadets will then grasp the handles of the two filled water jugs and run to the 25m turn line; over the 25m turn line with one foot; turn and run back to the start line. If the Cadet fails to touch the 25m turn line with their foot, the grader will call them back.

Sprint: after stepping over start line, Cadets will place the water jugs on the ground; turn and sprint 25m; touch the 25m turn line with foot and hand; turn and sprint back to the start line. If the Cadet fails to touch the 25m turn line with hand and foot, the grader will call them back.

acft equipment
Equipment used for the Sprint, Drag, Carry event.

Event #1c – Obstacle Course

Task: Cadets successfully navigate through the obstacle course for time until all team members have finished the rope climb then time will end.

Condition: Given 1x Monkey bar set, 1x 6’ wall, 1x 8’ wall, and rope climb.

Standards: All team members must start at the monkey bars and then move to 6’ wall, 8’ wall, and rope climb in that order. Each team member must complete each OB in order for the team to move onto next OB. If a team member fails to cross the monkey bars on 1st attempt they must move to back of team line for 2nd attempt. After 2 attempts failed then a 1 min penalty will be assed to the overall time per failed cadet. If a team member fails to climb the rope and touch the top beam after 2 attempts then a 2 minute penalty will be assessed to the overall completion time. This applies for each Cadet that doesn’t touch the top beam.

The EWU wall and rope course.

The below video shows an EWU Cadet climbing the rope at the end of the course:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XSCJchTOr/


Event #2 – Boating

Boating Event Route


Event #2a: Road March

Task: Complete 4-mile ruck march to Fish Lake

Conditions: Given a route, cadets move from start to finish line at Fish Lake.

Standards: Successfully complete a march from start point to end point located at Fish lake in shortest time possible in order to start rafting event. 9 line MEDEVAC clues are enroute. Time starts on command and ends at the end of the trail.

Columbia Plateau Trail
The Columbia Plateau Trail is a 4-mile paved path that runs between Cheney and Fish Lake.  Competitors will road march down this path while writing down clues for a 9 Line MEDEVAC.

Event #2b – Paddling

Paddling Route at Fish Lake

Task: Complete an out-and-back timed raft event

Conditions: Given a raft, 8x PFDs and one paddle per Cadet

Standards: Successfully complete a timed 8-person team paddle race without losing any gear. 9-line MEDEVAC is compiled by remaining members. Fastest time wins.

Fish Lake
Ranger Challenge competitors will road march from Cheney to Fish Lake and then complete a paddling course on a raft.

The below video shows EWU ROTC Cadets paddling in Fish Lake with the exact type of raft that will be used in the competition:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3m_LG6Bgz7/


Event #3 – Range

Ranger Challenge Range Diagram

Event #3a – M9 Qualification

Task: Each member of a unit’s Ranger Challenge team completes the M9 leader qualification course in groups of 3 Cadets.

Conditions: Given 1x M9, 3x Magazines, 20x Rounds, and 5 Targets.

Standards: Successfully engage designated targets from multiple firing positions and executing fluid magazine changes.

Instructions:

1.Cadets will receive 3 magazines, 10 RDS, 5 RDS, and 5 RDS. Cadets will shoot 4 times per target.

2.Firing positions include standing (stationary), standing (walking), prone unsupported, and from behind obstacles.

3.Cadets will be required to drop and reload when necessary. Cadets will fire 2 rounds each at number or shape  assigned to them before beginning of event.

4.In the event of a weapon malfunction Cadets are responsible for clearing their weapon system.  Time will continue to elapse and Cadets are required to continue to move through the lane.

5.Targets will be replaced after 3 Cadets have fired.

M9 Range
EWU ROTC Cadet engages targets with M9 pistol at weapons range in Medical Lake, WA.

Event #3b – M4 and Sled Pull

Task: Obstacles are set up that limit the view of participants and require Cadets to shoot from a variety of positions.

Condition: Ranger challenge teams conduct buddy team stress shoot.

Standards:

Ranger challenge teams begin at AA. On the command of begin, the first buddy team moves to the firing line to engage targets. Each Cadet will receive 14 rounds, 2 rounds per station. After the first Cadet reaches station 4 the second Cadet will begin. Both Cadets are accompanied by a lane walker that ensures the Cadet is engaging targets from the required positions. Once both Cadets are complete they move back to their team together and the next two Cadets move to the M4 firing line. While Cadets are engaging targets the rest of their team is pushing a sled from CP1 to CP2 back to CP1. Each full rotation that is completed results in ten (tbd) additional point for the team.

Graders will change targets at the end of each Ranger challenge teams iteration. Targets will be turned into the ammo point. There they will be marked with the name of the team and scores will be calculated. The sled pull lane walker will inform the ammo point of the total points scored by a team at the end of their iteration. Ammo point will calculate the total score, combined stress shoot and sled pull, for each team and report back to the TOC.

Uniform will be ACH, eye pro, FLC, knee pads, elbow pads, ear pro, water source.

Range at Medical Lake
EWU ROTC Cadets engage targets with M4 rifles at weapons range at Medical Lake, WA.

Event #3c – Written Test

Task: Cadets will take a written test made by the BDE S-3 shop.

Condition: Given 1x written test, 1x pencil, 20 minutes, and possible 100 points per cadet team member.

Standards: Cadets will have 20 minutes to complete the written exam upon start. Any questions not answered within the time limit will be counted as wrong answers. No talking is allowed between the cadets while taking the test.

Grading: 100 points available, two points per correct answer.

Example: 50 question test, means 2 points per question.

Cadet does not correctly answer 13 questions [100 – (2 x 13)] = 74 points


Event #4 – CWST

Mission: Each member of a unit’s Ranger Challenge team completes a 3 event CWST test (Five-minute buoyancy test without ruck, Jump/Swim, and Two-stroke test)

Execution: Cadet teams will rotate every 20 minutes until each team has completed all three CWST events.


Event #4a – Buoyancy Test

Task: Cadets will demonstrate their ability to remain buoyant for 5 minutes

Condition: Given test instructions, and a pool cadets demonstrate the skill required.

Standard: Cadets will enter the pool 3 cadets at a time and demonstrate there ability to remain buoyant for 5 minutes without touching the side. If a cadet touch’s another cadet or the side of the pool the cadet will be disqualified and loose the point for that cadet. After entire team is complete they will wait for rotation time to be called out.

The below video shows an EWU ROTC Cadet conducting the buoyancy test:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pYgIVBp-m/


Event #4b -Jump Swim

Task: Cadets will demonstrate there ability to Jump from the diving board to standard into the water and swim to the far side and exit the swimming pool.

Condition: Given test instructions, and a pool cadets demonstrate the skill required.

Standard: Cadets will climb up the diving board 1 at a time and jump from the diving board into the pool demonstrating the skill: (cross the legs at the ankles keeping the knees slightly bent. Put the arms across the chest while jumping and entering the water). Once returning to the surface swim to the other side of the pool. Any Cadet that fails to demonstrate the proper technique will lose 1 point for there team per cadet. After entire team is complete they will wait for rotation time to be called out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VEc7BBXxu/


Event #4c – Two Stroke Test

Task: Cadets will demonstrate there ability to perform the two-stroke test by using the sidestroke and breast stroke.

Condition: Given test instructions, and a pool cadets demonstrate the skill required.

Standard: Cadets will enter the pool on the sides 3 at a time. On the command GO cadets will demonstrate the sidestroke down and back. After the entire team has completed the side stroke. The team will again enter the water 3 Cadets at a time and demonstrate the breaststroke down and back. Cadets who fail to complete each swim will lose 1 point per cadet that doesn’t finish. After entire team is complete they will wait for rotation time to be called out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3paTrhBcYs/

CWST Grading


 

Taskforce East Ranger Challenge 2019 Scoreboard

Ranger Challenge Tab

The 2019 8th ROTC Brigade Ranger Challenge 2019 (TF-East) competition is being co-hosted between Gonzaga University (GU) and Eastern Washington University (EWU). Day #1 on October 25th will be held in the vicinity of Cheney, WA with events executed by EWU.  Day #2 on October 26th will be held at Camp Seven Mile north of Spokane with events executed by GU.  Click the below links for descriptions of each event:

Day #1 Events in vicinity of Cheney

Day #2 Events at Camp Seven Mile

Ranger Challenge Tab

Scoreboard

On the Day of the competition the below scoreboard will be regularly updated with scores as events are completed.  Check back regularly to see how your university’s Ranger Challenge team is performing during the competition.

Univ.PointsC.C.
Boating
Range
CWST
NavHGACMysteryGrinderPushMarch
123.528:05
131
49:501271275919:52
6
6:526:364:11.471:31:11
EWU Logo117.533:00
102
49:391523264820:37
9
4:367:465:091:40:59
Montana Logo9834:45
91
46:451156262620:59
7
11:308:244:27.411:31:13
Idaho Logo9733:06
101
52:541222272111:00
7
4:537:407:36.941:40:49
nevada logo9228:41
127
52:49941272013:30
10
5:167:405:58.721:41:12
Boise St. Logo78.532:56
102
55:47115027613:45
9
10:199:115:53.471:33:35
74.541:27
51
55:47975272816.579:338:326:36.071:45:34
BYU-Idaho Logo58.536:34
80
60:41949271115:12
4
10:538:565:53.961:59:11
montana st. logo53.529:45
121
50:4191527715:36
2
11:088:077:52
72
1:54:43
UC-Davis Logo5537:59
72
58:1392227917:50
7
8:1811:597:27.841:46:26
cal logo4852:45
0
75:2182423916:25
10
17:3310:015:45.441:41:12

 

EWU Army ROTC Nursing Cadet Awarded the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) “Fighting Eagles” Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion is pleased to announce that Cadet Emma LaTour has been awarded a 2019 Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship.

LaTour RVT Scholarship

The scholarship is in honor of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity’s EWU chapter co-founder First Lieutenant Randy Van Turner.  Randy was a 1968 graduate from the EWU ROTC program who was a recipient of the Silver Star and was killed in action in 1969 during the Vietnam War.  His fraternity brothers decided to honor his service by establishing an ROTC scholarship program in his name.  The scholarship is awarded to EWU ROTC Cadets that demonstrate academic excellence, high physical fitness, leadership, and financial need. Through a board process, Cadet LaTour was chosen as the third Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship recipient this year.  She will receive one-year of paid tuition to EWU.

Congratulations to Cadet LaTour for being awarded the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship and a big thank you to Pi Kappa Alpha for sponsoring this scholarship in support of our outstanding EWU ROTC Cadets.

Go ROTC!  Go Eags!

Throwback Thursday: The 1968 Eastern Washington University Rifle Team

1968 EWU Rifle Team

1968 EWU Rifle Team

The Eastern Rifle team, under the direction of Sgt Kyle Payne, captured the conference title with a clean sweep. The undefeated marksmen were victorious in all six of their conference matches and scored their second flawles.s season in three years. The men fired .22 calibers that were specially designed for the range. They are 15 lbs. and ten pounds heavier than regular .22 rifles. The model 52C weapons are precision-made for accuracy and have several added range features. The cost is approximately $400 per weapon.  Jim Zimmerman, who placed eleventh in the Big Sky conference at the invitational match, led the team and the league with a 287.8 average for the year. A perfect score is 300. Pat Aegerter finished the season with a 285.5 average, good for second in the league.

In target competition, each man is required to make ten shots in each of three positions; prone, standing and kneeling. Time is a prime factor in the contest as each man has 36 minutes to complete his rounds. Points are accumulated according to the distance from the center of the target. A man receives ten points when he completely shoots out the “Bull’s Eye”. Eastern placed five marksmen in the top ten positions in the conference at the end of the season. On the squad are Zimmerman, Aegerter, Rich Hamrich, Ray Grimes and Cal Kam. Pat Culllgan, who failed to accumulate enough points for conference standings, won third in the Big Sky Invitational for the prone position.  [1968 Kinnikinik Yearbook]

Did you know that Eastern Washington University still has a rifle team today?  If you are interested in competitive shooting and would like to be part of the rifle team you do not need to be part of Army ROTC program to do so.  The rifle team is an elective college class open to everyone in the university to enroll into.  Anyone with questions can contact our EWU Army ROTC office at Cadet Hall at 509-359-2386 with their questions.

 

Eastern Washington University Army ROTC Holds 2019 Contracting Ceremony

2019 Army ROTC Contracting Ceremony

On September 26, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program contracted 9 Cadets into the U.S. Army.  The Contracting Ceremony was held in front of the historic Showalter Hall on the EWU campus.  Showalter Hall is the oldest building on EWU’s campus that was built back in 1915 when EWU was a teacher’s college.  The Contracting Ceremony was attended by faculty, fellow Cadets, alumni, friends, and family.

Contractees Salute
Nine Contracting Cadets from the EWU Army ROTC program salute the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.

During the ceremony the 9 Cadets recited the Oath of Enlistment given to them by Captain (Promotable) Nicholas Carbaugh, the Assistant Professor of Military Science for the EWU Army ROTC program.  The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army.  The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on 29 September 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.

EWU ROTC Contracting Ceremony 2019
Emma LaTour, Liam Hewey, Kaylie Watters, Destin Garcia, JP Dutton, Everett Kuhnel, Jennafer Knight, Ethan Smart, Evan Lien take the Oath of Enlistment into the U.S. Army.

The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959.  Here is the current Oath of Enlistment:

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Contracting Picture
Emma LaTour, Liam Hewey, Kaylie Watters, Destin Garcia, and JP Dutton contract into the U.S. Army.

Contracting picture
JP Dutton, Everett Kuhnel, Jennafer Knight, Ethan Smart, and Evan Lien contract into the U.S. Army.

Following the reciting of the Oath of Enlistment, the 9 Cadets were then given their right shoulder sleeve EWU ROTC patch. The patch was presented by Master Sergeant Michael Zehring who explained the importance of the right shoulder sleeve patch that recognizes combat service in the active U.S. Army. In the EWU ROTC program the right should sleeve patch recognizes these Cadets’ commitment to serve their country by contracting into the EWU Army ROTC program.

By contracting the Cadets can now activate scholarship benefits, receive a $420 a month monetary stipend, attend advanced training, internships, and other opportunities to help them towards their goal of becoming a U.S. Army officer after graduating from EWU.  Congratulations to all nine of our newly contracted Cadets!

How to Contract into ROTC

When Cadets first enroll into an ROTC class, they have no military obligation.  Taking an ROTC class is the one way to explore military service without having to contract into the military.  For students who find that military service is something they want to pursue they can then contract into ROTC.  Contracting requires the Cadet to meet specified academic, physical fitness, character, and medical requirements.  The are various options to contract and a college student does not have to join ROTC as a first year student to explore military service.  We have many transfer students, sophomores, and juniors enroll into ROTC to explore military service before making a decision to contract.  Please read our Contracting page or reach EWU ROTC through our Contact page for more information on contracting options.

New Eastern Washington University ROTC Cadets Start School Year Strong at Jump Start 2019

EWU ROTC Banner

From 17-20 September 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) executed its 7th annual Jump Start program.  Jump Start is a four day event designed to properly welcome and integrate new Cadets into Eastern’s ROTC program a week before the academic year starts on September 25th.

EWU ROTC Banner

Day 1

The first thing the new Cadets did for Jump Start was move into the dorms.  Other Cadets were on hand to help parents and the new Cadets move into their rooms.  A major benefit of Jump Start was that the new MS-1 Cadets were able to move a few days prior to the rest of the student body.  After moving into the dorms, the Cadets then conducted administrative inprocessing into the ROTC unit followed by a pizza dinner provided by the Military Science Department.

New Cadets move into the dorms.
New Cadets move into the dorms.

New Cadets inprocess and ask questions.
New Cadets inprocess and ask questions.

Day 2

After a successful first day, the second day of Jump Start began with the Cadets conducting team building exercises and then being issued their gear.  In the afternoon the Cadets were given classes in map reading, uniform standards, and military customs and courtesies.  All the classes were taught by MS II-IV Cadets in the ROTC program.

MS-1 Cadets conduct team building exercises.
MS-1 Cadets conduct team building exercises.

MS-1 Cadets are issued their initial uniforms and gear.
MS-1 Cadets are issued their initial uniforms and gear.

MS-1 Cadets try out their new gear.
MS-1 Cadets try out their new gear.

Cadet Michael Beier (right) teaches new MS-1 Cadets how to read a map and plot grid points.
Cadet Michael Beier (right) teaches new MS-1 Cadets how to read a map and plot grid points.

MS-1 Cadets learn how to use a compass.
MS-1 Cadets learn how to use a compass.

Day 3

On the third day of Jump Start the Cadets woke early and executed their very first physical training (PT) session.  The new Cadets were taught by the more experienced Cadets on how to properly conduct military exercises.  They then went on a short run around the EWU campus. After PT the Cadets then prepped to deploy to the field to conduct more initial training.

New MS-1 Cadets conduct their first physical training session in foggy and cold conditions.
New MS-1 Cadets conduct their first physical training session in foggy and cold conditions.

EWU Army ROTC Class of 2023 takes a picture in front the university's "pillars" after conducting their first physical training session.
EWU Army ROTC Class of 2023 takes a picture in front the university’s “pillars” after conducting their first physical training session.

By lunch time all of the Cadets were out at the Camp Seven Mile training area which is part of Riverside State Park north of Spokane.  For lunch the Cadets got to experience their first ever Meal Ready to Eat (MRE).  Following lunch the Cadets were taught individual movement techniques, land navigation, and how to throw grenades.

MS-1 Cadets practice basic individual movement techniques.
MS-1 Cadets practice basic individual movement techniques.

MS-1 Cadets learn how to properly low crawl.
MS-1 Cadets learn how to properly low crawl.

MS-1 Cadet, Janu Lee practices how to throw a grenade.
MS-1 Cadets take turns practicing how to throw a grenade.

The Cadets were also able to tour a UH-72 Lakota helicopter flown in by Soldiers from the Washington State Army National Guard. The National Guard officers provided an overview brief about the helicopter, allowed Cadets to get inside of it, and answered questions about being an officer in the National Guard.

MS-1 Cadets get view a UH-72 Lakota helicopter.
MS-1 Cadets tour a UH-72 Lakota helicopter.

We also had a couple of special guests come out to Camp Seven Mile to see the Cadets train, the Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Dr. Vernon Loke and the EWU videographer, Mr. Eric Galey.

Dr. Vernon Loke and the EWU videographer, Mr. Eric Galey picture with Washington Army National Guard pilots CW3 Heathman and LTC Leonard.
Dr. Vernon Loke and the EWU videographer, Mr. Eric Galey picture with Washington Army National Guard pilots CW3 Heathman and LTC Leonard.

Day 4

On the final day of Jump Start the Cadet woke up early in the morning at Camp Seven Mile and ate another great MRE meal for breakfast.  After breakfast they then departed to conduct their first practical land navigation exercise.  Partnered with other Cadets, plotted grid points and then walked and found the points in the surrounding forest.  After completing the land navigation training the Cadets then deployed back to the EWU campus where they then participated in a luncheon with their parents and the ROTC Cadre.


Despite some dreary weather, Jump Start 2019 was still a great success. All the new MS-1 Cadets were able inprocess, move into their dorms, become familiarized with Army physical training, and conduct basic Soldier skills training.  We wish all of our new EWU Army ROTC Cadets a great upcoming school year as they start down the path towards becoming Army officers.

Go Fighting Eags!