ROTC Viking Battalion improves performance at Fourth Brigade Ranger Challenge

ROTC Viking Battalion improves performance at Fourth Brigade Ranger Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- Cadets from the ECSU ROTC Viking Battalion finished 10th out of 19 at the Fourth Brigade Ranger Challenge held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The Fourth Brigade of ROTC is comprised of 39 colleges and universities. The 39 colleges are divided into two divisions based upon the size of the university and the number of cadets in the ROTC program. The ranger challenge is an overall military skill competition.

The ROTC Viking Battalion included 10 students as team members and three support cadets. The events at the ranger challenge included a physical fitness test, land navigation tests comprised of a written exam, day and night field exercises, a 10 km run with each cadet carrying 35 lbs of equipment, a rifle marksmanship competition, a hand grenade assault course and a one-rope bridge test.

Most of the students on the ROTC Battalion have competed in previous ranger challenges. Lt. Col. Barnes said the team performed better this year than last year. The ranger challenge showcases the skills of officers trained in ROTC.

"The cadets learn to compete with cadets from other universities in a grueling series of events held over two days. There are individual and group exercises that test their ability to persevere. The Viking Battalion earned third place in the marksmanship category." Lt. Col. Barnes. "Next year the team is looking to place in the top three in our respective division. Their performance at the ranger challenge prepares them for the mental and physical challenges they will encounter in U.S. Army."

Melvin Perry said he returned to the Ranger Challenge for the third time this year. The Viking Battalion included students from the freshman class to the senior class. They began preparing for the Ranger Challenge in August before the semester began.

"There is nothing easy about the Ranger Challenge. The average Joe off the street wouldn’t be able to do the things we do there nor would most athletes," Perry said. "In some cases you are running while carrying your equipment uphill. You have to use your map, compass and land navigation skills during the written, timed, land navigation test. We also complete day and night land navigation tests on foot so this is a physical and a mental challenge. Safety is a priority."

Viking Battalion participants included:

• Jamaal Stevens from Elizabeth City, North Carolina
• Floyd Bailey from Moyock, North Carolina
• Danny Adams from Chesapeake, Virginia
• Amaquah Bonsu from Elizabeth City, North Carolina
• Hein Tran from Cary, North Carolina
• Brandon Smith from Rocky Mount, North Carolina
• Melvin Perry from Belvedere, North Carolina
• Michael Morton from Tampa, Florida
• Ashley Smith from Newport News, Virginia
• Randolph Jordan from Amelia, Virginia

The support cadets who assisted the team members in the preparation of individual event and group exercises included the following students:

• Trenton Butts from Jacksonville, North Carolina
• Nicholas Tangredi Moyock, North Carolina
• Jesse Sanders from Moyock, North Carolina

Kesha Williams
Director of Media Relations
Office of University Relations & Marketing
Elizabeth City State University
Campus Box 778
1704 Weeksville Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
252-335-3686
FAX: 252-335-3769