Instead of using their Fall Break to relax at home or catch up on homework, six Ball State University ROTC students spent three days at a grueling training event called the Ranger Challenge.
The Ranger Challenge is an annual extracurricular activity for ROTC cadets, which takes place at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Capt. John Dimeling said. ROTC teams from about 13 universities competed at this year's event, he said.
Junior history major Bradley Carter said he wanted to be a part of Ball State's team because he wanted to challenge himself. Carter was chosen through a process of elimination based on physical fitness testing, motivation and work ethic, he said.
"[The Ranger Challenge] just gave me more motivation to keep working harder," Carter said. "I learned from it, I enjoyed it and it gave me even more drive to succeed in the program."
Senior Phillip Vancelette, the ranger team commander, said he is proud of his team's performance and teamwork.
"We did a lot better than last year," he said. "We came in second on the humvee pull. We had some struggles with other events, but overall we did pretty well."
Ball State placed fifth at this year's Ranger Challenge and placed sixth overall last year, Vancelette said.
The students competed in a land navigation course, a one-rope bridge cross, an obstacle course, a humvee pull, the Army Physical Fitness Test and a 10-kilometer forced march, or 6.2 miles, Dimeling said.
Carter said the forced march was the most memorable event. He and his fellow cadets ran with gear weighing approximately 45 pounds on their backs and shouted encouragement to each other along the way, Carter said.
Vancelette said the team finished the march in one hour, 25 minutes.
Senior general studies major David Moore said the Ranger Challenge was a good opportunity go above and beyond regular ROTC training by learning new skills, such as mental strength and coping with lack of sleep.
When he returned home Sunday, Moore said he was excited to finally take a shower. He said he ordered a large pizza from Greek's Pizzeria and took an hour-long nap.
Moore and Carter said they would highly recommend the Ranger Challenge to other cadets.
Moore said he competed in the Ranger Challenge three years in a row.
Carter, who participated for the first time, said he planned to return.
"[The Ranger Challenge] pushes you to your limits as an individual," Carter said. "There's nothing else like it."
Ranger Challenge team members:Phillip Vancelette, seniorMatt Purdy, seniorDavid Moore, seniorBradley Carter, juniorJoshua Risner, juniorJonathan Uglum, junior
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
