Battalion News
Ranger Challenge
Ranger Challenge was held at Fort Knox this Fall. The competetion was successful and our cadets had the opportunity to excel.
Coming into Ranger Challenge, we had well over 30 people wanting to participate. Shortly thereafter, many failed to meet the standards of the EKU Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team. We began an intensive 2 week testing period to find out exactly who our 10 Cadets would be. After determining the Top 10 Cadets, the REAL training began.
Major Slusher and Dusing began training us on the various events that were included in 7th Brigade Ranger Challenge 2009. Those events included a PT Test, Hand Grenade Assault Course, One Rope Bridge, Land Navigation, Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Weapons Assembly/Disassembly, an Obstacle Course, the Commander’s Challenge, Iron Warrior events, and a 10K Road March.
The Ranger Challenge Opening Ceremony started at 0410 on Saturday, October 24th, 2009. The PT test directly followed the Ceremony. EKU’s average PT Score was an astounding 290 and 4 of the Cadets got a perfect 300!
After the PT Test, we conducted the Hand Grenade Assault Course. CDT. Walton, our youngest Team Member and also our only MSI on the Ranger Challenge Team, was one of the very few to hit the bonus target hiding behind the window at the last target.
Following the Hand Grenade Assault Course was Land Navigation. Land Navigation is one of the most important training requirements for any Second Lieutenant. We were split up into two to three man Buddy Teams. Cadets Sowders, Rees, and Renn performed brilliantly, retrieving 5 points within the 90 minute event, not an easy thing to do.
After Land Navigation, we conducted the One Rope Bridge. The One Rope Bridge is used to get a group of soldiers across a river or stream, without having to get all of them and the gear wet. CDT. Dusing coached our team from 7 to 10 minute runs, to 2 ½ minute runs. CDT. Lyons selflessly carried 2 ruck sacks to make the event easier and faster for the rest of the team.
The secret Commander’s Challenge followed the One Rope Bridge, and once again, our Land Navigation skills were tested. A large sand table kit was placed behind us and one-by-one, we were to find a location from a 6-Digit Grid that was given to us and be able to determine what type of terrain feature was located on that grid.
Weapons Assembly/Disassembly tested the speed at which we could disassemble an M16 and put it back together. Once the weapon was correctly assembled, a functions check was then administered. The function check is conducted to assure the soldier that his or her weapon will work while in the Safe setting, Semi setting, and Burst setting.
Basic Rifle Marksmanship was conducted immediately after the Weapons Assembly/Disassembly. 20 Shots were taken from a prone (laying on front) supported, 10 were taken from the prone unsupported, and 10 were taken from the kneeling position. CDT. Chatigny shot a remarkable 39 out of 40 targets to lead the Team to a 6th place finish in the event.
Due to time conflicts, the Iron Warrior events had to be taken out, so we went into the final event of the day…….the 10K Road March. The Road March is strictly a physical “Who wants it more” test. Each Cadet will carry their ruck sack and a rifle 6.2 miles through Ft. Knox’s rigorous hills. This grueling event showed the entire Brigade how tough the EKU Colonel’s Battalion is. We conducted the run in a time of 1 hour and 7 minutes with FULL accountability. Each of our Cadets stayed together and finished with a renewed sense of pride in ourselves and our school. CDT. Dallas Critchfield said, “After all the mornings we spent training together, and all the troubles we had faced together, I feel really close to the entire EKU Ranger Challenge Team.”
The entire Ranger Challenge Team would like to thank Lt. Col. Livingston, Major Slusher, and CDT. Dusing for giving up so much of their time to ensure the success of EKU. The knowledge and determination they showed was an inspiration to all Cadets involved in Ranger Challenge. Having multiple weeks to directly learn from them, gave us a new found appreciation for our Battalion. We now know what it takes to have “COLONEL’S PRIDE!!!”
Major Slusher and Dusing began training us on the various events that were included in 7th Brigade Ranger Challenge 2009. Those events included a PT Test, Hand Grenade Assault Course, One Rope Bridge, Land Navigation, Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Weapons Assembly/Disassembly, an Obstacle Course, the Commander’s Challenge, Iron Warrior events, and a 10K Road March.
The Ranger Challenge Opening Ceremony started at 0410 on Saturday, October 24th, 2009. The PT test directly followed the Ceremony. EKU’s average PT Score was an astounding 290 and 4 of the Cadets got a perfect 300!
After the PT Test, we conducted the Hand Grenade Assault Course. CDT. Walton, our youngest Team Member and also our only MSI on the Ranger Challenge Team, was one of the very few to hit the bonus target hiding behind the window at the last target.
Following the Hand Grenade Assault Course was Land Navigation. Land Navigation is one of the most important training requirements for any Second Lieutenant. We were split up into two to three man Buddy Teams. Cadets Sowders, Rees, and Renn performed brilliantly, retrieving 5 points within the 90 minute event, not an easy thing to do.
After Land Navigation, we conducted the One Rope Bridge. The One Rope Bridge is used to get a group of soldiers across a river or stream, without having to get all of them and the gear wet. CDT. Dusing coached our team from 7 to 10 minute runs, to 2 ½ minute runs. CDT. Lyons selflessly carried 2 ruck sacks to make the event easier and faster for the rest of the team.
The secret Commander’s Challenge followed the One Rope Bridge, and once again, our Land Navigation skills were tested. A large sand table kit was placed behind us and one-by-one, we were to find a location from a 6-Digit Grid that was given to us and be able to determine what type of terrain feature was located on that grid.
Weapons Assembly/Disassembly tested the speed at which we could disassemble an M16 and put it back together. Once the weapon was correctly assembled, a functions check was then administered. The function check is conducted to assure the soldier that his or her weapon will work while in the Safe setting, Semi setting, and Burst setting.
Basic Rifle Marksmanship was conducted immediately after the Weapons Assembly/Disassembly. 20 Shots were taken from a prone (laying on front) supported, 10 were taken from the prone unsupported, and 10 were taken from the kneeling position. CDT. Chatigny shot a remarkable 39 out of 40 targets to lead the Team to a 6th place finish in the event.
Due to time conflicts, the Iron Warrior events had to be taken out, so we went into the final event of the day…….the 10K Road March. The Road March is strictly a physical “Who wants it more” test. Each Cadet will carry their ruck sack and a rifle 6.2 miles through Ft. Knox’s rigorous hills. This grueling event showed the entire Brigade how tough the EKU Colonel’s Battalion is. We conducted the run in a time of 1 hour and 7 minutes with FULL accountability. Each of our Cadets stayed together and finished with a renewed sense of pride in ourselves and our school. CDT. Dallas Critchfield said, “After all the mornings we spent training together, and all the troubles we had faced together, I feel really close to the entire EKU Ranger Challenge Team.”
The entire Ranger Challenge Team would like to thank Lt. Col. Livingston, Major Slusher, and CDT. Dusing for giving up so much of their time to ensure the success of EKU. The knowledge and determination they showed was an inspiration to all Cadets involved in Ranger Challenge. Having multiple weeks to directly learn from them, gave us a new found appreciation for our Battalion. We now know what it takes to have “COLONEL’S PRIDE!!!”
Contact Person: James Hess
