This past weekend the ROTC Ranger Challenge Team competed against seven public Illinois universities in a variety of different events that tested their physical fitness, endurance, intelligence and team-building skills. After completing eight grueling challenges in 24 hours, Wheaton College received the most points and came out in first place.
The team, led by senior Jake Roberts, consisted of cadets from Wheaton, Lewis University and Olivet Nazarene University, who are partners of Wheaton College’s ROTC program. The competition consisted of eight events, including a hand grenade assault course, a rope bridge, an obstacle course, weapons assembly, evacuating a casualty, a physical fitness test, knowledge test, and 10K ruck march. Events are scored on a point system. Schools receive one point for getting first in an event, two points for second, three points for third and so on.
In reflection of the competition, Captain Roberts said “The weekend was packed full of events that challenged cadets both physically and mentally.” This is no easy task, as the team had to move by foot between events, covering around 20 miles and completing eight events over the course of a 24 hour period, explained Roberts in an email.
The victory means that both the nine-man team and five-woman team of Wheaton will advance to the Brigade level competition. If they win the following competition, they will have the opportunity to compete at Westpoint’s campus for nationals.
Photos courtesy Rolling Thunder Battalion.