"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."  ~V. Lombardi

What is Ranger Challenge?

Ranger Challenge is a highly physically and mentally demanding activity. It is the Army ROTC's varsity sport. The season is from late August through October. The culmination is a 3 day competition at Fort Knox, KY focusing on basic military skills in which the Tiger Battalion team competes against all the other teams in the Brigade. Cadets must compete for a spot on the team, as space is limited. An Army Physical Fitness Test and other events, such as a road march, are used to weed out those who would not be able to compete.

What are the events?

Situational Shoot:

   Cadets engage targets on an electronic marksmanship system that places the cadets in a real-life scenario within an urban environment.  Their task is to engage and eliminate all enemy forces, while maintaining proper rules of engagement.

Land Navigation:

   Cadets must utilize land navigation skills, with the aid of a map, compass, and 8-digit grid coordinates, to find given points in the terrain throughout Ft. Knox.  Some points are as far off as 1,500 meters.

Weapons assembly/disassembly:

   Cadets must familiarize themselves with the M16A2 assault rifle and Berretta M9 9mm pistol.  All members of the team must master the ability to quickly and properly take apart, put back together, and then functions check both weapons systems. 

Combat Life Saver/First Aid:

   Cadets must render first aid to a simulated injured soldier, to include treatment of severed limbs, head trauma, broken limbs, and bleeding.  After treating the wounded soldier, he must be properly moved to an evacuation site for a MEDEVAC to take the soldier to medical facilities.  All cadets must master basic levels of first aid and combat life saving skills.

Hand Grenades:

   Cadets learn how to properly utilize the M67 fragmentation hand grenade to engage targets at multiple distances.  From the kneeling position, cadets must utilize proper form and technique to engage marked targets ranging from 10m to 35m in distance and varying sizes.  Accuracy is a must.

Obstacle course:

   The team must move themselves and several pieces of equipment through an entire obstacle course in the least amount of time.  Teamwork is required as it is impossible for one cadet to move a 5-gallon water jug up a 15ft tall net, across a walk-way and then back down the net on their own.  There are multiple obstacles, such as the rope climb, monkey bars, weaver, and balance beams.

One Rope Bridge:

   The team must utilize one 120 foot rope and 10 swiss-seat ropes to move the entire 9 man team, along with ruck sacks and weapons, across a ravine.  Only the first and last cadets are permitted to cross without the aid of the rope as a bridge. 

Zodiac-Waterborne Operations:

   Cadets must recon an enemy objective and then utilize a small squad sized boat to move across a lake and retrieve necessary items to complete the mission.

Iron Warrior:

   Cadets compete in multiple team-oriented tasks that test teamwork and physical strength and endurance.  Events include pushing a HMMWV down 50yards and then back 50yards.  Flipping tractor sized tires, water can carries, and stretcher carries.  Each event occurs in rapid succession.

Rangers Lead The Way!!!