Events and Activities

ROTC students are of course attending college, and some aspects of military knowledge can be taught best in the classroom. These include management skills, troop leading procedures, map reading, and other leadership basics.

Go to curriculum information and a list of classes.

Each week cadets participate in outdoor training activities and involve skills that are best taught outside a classroom environment, such as terrain walks to improve land navigation, squad tactics, and survival training.

The FTX is ROTC's most demanding training tool. One weekend a semester is reserved for the Battalion to train at the United States Air Force Academy where the student is completely immersed in an Army-style training environment. FTX's are meant to simulate the conditions that MSIII's will face in Advanced Camp at Ft. Lewis.

The purpose for Ranger Challenge Program is to challenge cadets in tough mental and physical competition, enhance leader development, develop team cohesion, and to develop healthy competition among the battalions.  Each year, top cadets from around the country gather to compete in Army ROTC's varsity sport: the ROTC Ranger Challenge.  This voluntary competition offers outstanding teamwork training while demanding your best physical and mental efforts. Events include orienteering, in which teams use land navigation skills to find 40 checkpoints over a four-square-mile course; and constructing a one-rope bridge, in which teams cross a 40-foot water obstacle using a single rope and plenty of ingenuity. 

Other events include the grenade assault course or grenade throw (depending on course availability), patrolling (option to administer written test); land navigation, M16 marksmanship, weapons disassembly and assembly, and a 10K road march.

The University of Colorado- Boulder ROTC Color Guard is one of our most highly respected organizations. They are responsible for carrying our nation's colors during parades, football games, basketball games, marches, and other various events.

Each year in Golden, the Army ROTC Color Guard is requested to be present at local parades. In addition to the Color Guard, other cadets are welcome to attend and walk with the floats! To be part of the Color Guard is an honor and is truly respected.

The Military Ball is an age-old tradition in the Army. An occasion for which military personnel dress in their finest uniforms, a Military Ball is an opportunity for cadets, cadre, alumni, and faculty to interact in a social, albeit formal, setting. Food, atmosphere, and entertainment are festive, extravagant and pleasant. Awards are presented to cadets. This is very likely to be the most popular event the Buffalo Battalion offers.

The Dining-In is a military tradition less formal than the Military Ball. The purpose is to acquaint cadets and reacquaint the cadre with traditions of a military formal dinner. There are many activities such as toast, skits, and the infamous "grogg" bowl ceremony. The Dining-In strengthens the morale of the cadets and allows for a fun time.

The Ranger Team also competes in the Best Ranger Buddy Team competition during the spring semester, put on by the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. This competition is a grueling one day event which tests cadets mentally and physically. Events consist of a 4.5-mile ruck run, weapons assembly and disassembly, mountaineering, land navigation, litter carry, grenade assault course, and finally a 6.2-mile buddy run.

Army ROTC teaches cadets the importance of comradery through many different events. Cadets compete against the Navy, Air Force, and Marine ROTC cadets as a fun way to build competitive spirit and teamwork.