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The University of Memphis Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team made its best showing ever, taking third place at the Ranger Challenge in Columbia, S.C. in November. Only Appalachian State University and The Citadel finished ahead of the U of M. Teams from 17 colleges and universities participated, including the University of Tennessee, the University of South Carolina, Furman University, and Vanderbilt University. 

This is the first time in the U of M program’s history that the squad placed in the top three. Ranger Challenge is a mentally and physically grueling 14-hour event consisting of a written exam on tactics and map-reading, the Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons assembly and disassembly, the hand grenade assault course, the “Fit to Win” obstacle course, M16A2 “Stress Shoot,” orienteering course, and the 10k road march with full pack and weapon.

Pictured on the steps of the South Carolina state capitol are (front row, from left) cadets Mark Tellez, Conrad Gibson, Caleb Kaywood and team captain Luke Koehler; (second row) cadets Cody Mossberg, Adam Casey, Sammie Wicks and James Chapman III; (third row) Lt. Col. Greg Marinich, cadets Aaron George, Sane Kruger and Chip Sanford, Maj. Mike Schoenborn, and cadet Andres Tellez. (Photo courtesy U of M Army ROTC)

Those participating in the Challenge include cadets Mark Tellez, Conrad Gibson, Caleb Kaywood, Luke Koehler (team captain), Cody Mossberg, Adam Casey, Sammie Wicks, James Chapman III, Aaron George, Sane Kruger, Chip Sanford, and Andres Tellez.  Lt. Col. Greg Marinich and Maj. Mike Schoenborn, Army ROTC cadre at the U of M, also participated.

“This team trained extremely hard, executed all events to near perfection, and represented our program with distinction,” said Marinich, Army ROTC professor of military science and leadership. “We couldn’t be prouder of them.”