Along with a soft taste of the fall weather to come, Eastern Michigan University's ROTC Eagle battalion competed in their first Ranger Challenge on Sept. 30, placing third out of four teams present.

The event, consisting of various timed physical exercises in a fast-paced environment, took place at the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor against the University of Michigan ROTC's three respective battalions.

EMU and Michigan joined together to give both teams a proper taste of what to expect in the big upcoming ranger event in Fort Knox, Kentucky. EMU's ROTC battalion will compete against over 30 other schools in a race against the clock gauntlet of events.  

"Being part to lead the Ranger Challenge team this year gives me the opportunity to work with the individuals who want to completely surpass the standards," Renan Martins, the cadet of EMU's ROTC and ranger challenge officer, said.

The challenges at the recent event included a grenade toss, surveillance tasks, knowledge tests, and more. Students were judged on not just time but efficiency as well.

"Ranger Challenge PT is definitely difficult. We do a lot more cross fit than regular PT does and don’t get days off," EMU ROTC Cadet Victoria Rogers said. "Our team works together very well and are consistently motivating each other to do better than we have before. I’m really looking forward to the Fort Knox competition this year, it’s an opportunity to see how successful we’ve been in planning and training.”

ROTC morning sessions are a combination of cross-fit exercises, open to all EMU students in any attire from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

"I encourage any students who are interested to understanding what is like to work as a team and make decisions under pressure to join us for a morning session and experience it for themselves,“ Martins said.  

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