Spring FTX was held at the U.S. Air Force Academy – March 26-28, 2021
The Army ROTC Cadets with the Golden Buffalo Battalion gather twice a year to participate in a mandatory Field Training Exercise (FTX). Each semi-annual event is held during the spring and fall semesters. Cadets from the entire battalion attend a three-day event that takes all participants through rigorous maneuvers and basic skill tests that are required by the U.S. Army.
Army ROTC Field Training Exercise (FTX) Spring 2021 – boarding a Chinook helicopter courtesy of the Colorado Army National Guard and the Boulder Municipal Airport (BMA). Two Chinook helicopters transported the Cadets down to the U.S. Air Force Academy for the exercise. Photo courtesy of AROTC Cadre Lucas Irvine.
The Spring 2021 FTX was held Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28 at Jack’s Valley Training Area on the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Cadets were transported down to Jack’s Valley via a Chinook helicopter flown by the Colorado Army National Guard stationed at Buckley Air Force Base.
MSG Camarillo and SFC Moore of Colorado State University review and instruct two Cadets on cover fire. Photo courtesy of Cadet Garret Beck.
Cadets spent the entire three days running through various drills, rifle marksmanship and tactical field operations. They gave and took orders, functioned as an individual soldier or worked together as a unit and continually strategized how to complete each task. Over this weekend, they literally lived the life of a regular U.S. Army soldier by eating, sleeping and breathing all army all the time. Regardless of the field conditions or the ever-changing weather, the Cadets endured this exercise successfully. Congratulations to each of you on all of your hard work and dedication.
Cadets gathering to assess their situation during a recon mission. Photo courtesy of Cadet Garret Beck.