Ranger Challenge is an annual competition designed to test Cadet’s physical toughness and tactical skills. This year it was held in Bluffdale, Utah at Camp Williams, October 16-17, 2021. Our Golden Buffalo Battalion Cadets competed in the Task Force White Mountain Ranger Challenge competition against teams from universities across Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Colorado.
The GBB 2021 Ranger Challenge Team prior to beginning the STX lanes that would last over 12 hours. Photo courtesy of SFC Kevin Marquardt.
The two-day event requires the 11-person team, 9 males and 2 females, to complete a series of difficult tasks. It is intended to challenge Cadets mentally and physically, while forcing them to work cohesively as a team. The team with the highest overall score and best time are designated the winner.
CDT Butler conducts the Claymore Lane. Photo courtesy of SFC Kevin Marquardt.
To prepare for this event, Cadets participated in a separate Ranger Challenge training regimen in addition to their normal weekly physical training exercises. This year the Golden Buffalo Battalion sent the following Cadets to compete:
1. Cadet Christopher Mauger, Coach, a senior at the University of Denver (DU)
2. Cadet Corbin Hoppe, a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder
3. Cadet Caleb Kao, a senior at the Colorado Christian University (CCU)
4. Cadet Promise Butler, a junior at the Metro State University of Denver (MSUD)
5. Cadet Jonathan Cattan, a junior at the Colorado School of Mines
6. Cadet Courtney Lucas, a junior at the University of Colorado Boulder
7. Cadet Eric Misak, a junior at the University of Colorado Boulder
8. Cadet Jack Dobrotka, a sophomore at the Colorado Christian University (CCU)
9. Cadet Wyatt Horan, a sophomore at the University of Colorado Denver
10. Cadet Benjamin Roberts, a sophomore at the University of Denver (DU)
11. Cadet Cooper Eisman, a freshman at the Colorado School of Mines
Over the course of the two days, Cadets completed an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a stress shoot, a 12-mile timed ruck march, land navigation, and several other tactical infantry tasks.
CDT Kao works through the Call for Fire simulation. Photo courtesy of SFC Kevin Marquardt.
The competition started off with an early morning ACFT and then directly into a series of Situational Training Exercise (STX) events that lasted more than 12 hours. Cadets had to maneuver through multiple lanes to demonstrate their combat and tactical skills.
CDT Mauger and CDT Dobrotka show their skills with assembling and disassembling weapons. Photo courtesy of SFC Kevin Marquardt.
Cadets performed Infantry tasks to a timed standard in order to accumulate points for their team. The exercises were mission-oriented to prove the team’s ability to handle battle drills and refine the tactical skills needed to become an Army Officer. Cadets had to work together to complete their assigned missions which built upon and strengthened their leadership skills. The team also had to move several miles between each event, truly measuring their physical fitness and toughness.
The second day started with a live fire stress shoot using M4 carbines followed by a 12-mile timed ruck march (with a 35-pound rucksack). Following the ruck march, Cadets had to demonstrate their weapons’ proficiency by assembling and disassembling crew served weapons.
Although our team did not come away with a placement, they all finished strong and together. Way to represent the Golden Buffalo Battalion.
Awesome job Cadets!!!
The GBB Team on their final movement – 12-mile timed ruck march with weapon and full kit. Photo courtesy of SFC Kevin Marquardt.