The Frontline. Published by the Army ROTC Ram Battalion. Spring 2017 Edition

Transcription

1 The Frontline Published by the Army ROTC Ram Battalion Spring 2017 Edition

2 Ram Town By CDT Andrew Holm consecutive year of volunteering for this event, and I can honestly say it has been a positive experience for me expressed CDT Holm. It presents the opportunity to oversee recruiting and coordinating the setup of this event, along with being the Officer in charge where you oversee the logistics behind this club and being the liaison between CSU Army ROTC and the CSU Athletics Coordinator. Overall this experience has allowed myself and other cadets to develop our leadership skills, improve relationships with other cadets, and support the Ram Battalion. When it comes to the CSU football games, there are many activities hosted by Colorado State University to entertain the fans before home games. Ram Town is by far the best activity, because it s run by the CSU Army ROTC Cadets. We work the hardest, always get the job done on time, and we are available to help at a moment s notice. Ram Town features interactive play areas for kids such as the obstacle course, bounce house, and the field goal kick which the cadets set up and are actively involved in. Ram Town is responsible for setting up the inflatable tailgate tents for the game patrons as well. As a cadet, you are constantly interacting with children and their parents; discussing ROTC and the military with them. Cadets not only represent the Ram Battalion, but the University as well. This last year, Ram Town was asked to set up Bubba at the Rocky MTN Showdown in Denver at the Broncos Stadium and had the opportunity to watch the game with the best seats in the house; on the field. However, the most important aspect about Ram Town is that this is how we fund most of the CSU Army ROTC events. These events include the Paintball lab, Dining-In, the Military ball, and many other events in the Battalion. Ram Town is important to the cadets as well as the Battalion because it can help with accessions points. On top of that, cadets who participate in Ram Town will be provided with Chick-fil-a at every game they volunteer for! I just recently finished my 4th Scabbard and Blade By CDT Kayleigh Yarbrough Army ROTC Scabbard and Blade is a nationally recognized organization with the primary goal of bettering cadets as future Officers and to strengthen the joint service relationship through service to the community and leadership opportunities. Members of the CSU Ram Battalion have the opportunity to take part in Scabbard and Blade at Colorado State University. We work as a joint effort with the Air Force ROTC in order to give back to the community of both Fort Collins and the University. Scabbard and Blade is unique to other clubs offered to ROTC cadets, in that we participate heavily in community service

3 involvement while still providing leadership opportunities and furthering the growth of many military officer traits. This past year our program has contributed in several events from the Veteran 5K to CSU RamRide that helps all students of CSU when they need a responsible driver for the night. Some of our more notable events include the National Honor Flight for the Northern Colorado chapter in which we assisted over 100 veterans from WWII to the Vietnam War as they made a cross-country trip to visit the war memorials in Washington DC. We also had the opportunity to join in St. Jude s Up All Night Challenge and helped CSU raise over $30,000 for children in need. Overall, Scabbard and Blade provides an exceptional experience many college students do not have the opportunity to partake in. Cannon Crew By CDT Sam Fleshman Cannon crew is one of the big three events at every home football game and the rocky mountain showdown that the Ram Battalion is responsible for. In the past four years I have attended every home football game as the OIC (officer in charge), NCOIC (noncommissioned officer in charge) or Cannonier. It is the face of the program, the most enjoyable duty, and best event that everyone should do! The cannon crew fires a round every time the Rams score at home football games. But this isn t just any cannon. It s a 75mm French howitzer, built in 1918 in France during World War I. After the war, it was sent to the Rock Island arsenal on the Mississippi river. At the time, it was on a horse drawn carriage to be moved in a light artillery unit. The cannon was put onto the M2 chassis in 1941 to be used as a training weapon for WWII. After the war; the US 5 th Army gave the cannon to Colorado State University in 1952, making it the oldest tradition at Colorado State University. The cannon s name, Comatose, is a reflection of CSU s long tradition of branching field artillery officers. The coveted CSU Army ROTC challenge coin even has Comatose on the tails side of the coin. When on cannon crew, there are four main duties. The OIC, or chief of section, is the manager of everything involved with the cannon and the area. They receive the signal to fire from cadre and are responsible for the crew and equipment. The NCOIC is responsible for coordination of cannon crew, maintenance of the gun, and loading and unloading procedures. The gunner is the one who closes the breech, fires the gun, and opens the breech again. Every cadet on cannon crew, at every game, gets to be the gunner at least once. The final position is in a security rotation. Cadets rotate being security on the perimeter of the cannon and watching the game. On the security perimeter, cadets get to meet fans, talk with friends, and tell people about ROTC and the cannon. At each game, a special guest also fires one of the first rounds to start the game. Guests have included military veterans, Olympians, Dr. Walter Scott, different deans from the several colleges at CSU, and President Tony Frank. Cadets get to meet these people, create relationships, and connect closer with the school. It allows you to be the face of the program on game day. When older fans come back, they remember the cannon that s been fired for the past 60-plus years. Do you want to fire the cannon?

4 Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet By CDT Kendall Skelly In January of 2014, I became a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet within Colorado State University ROTC Program. My prior experience of 4 years on active duty has contributed to my passion of serving in the United States Army Reserves. Being in this program allows me to experience both the ROTC program, as well as, serve in a Reserve unit. As a 42A, Human Resources Specialist, I shadow an Officer with in my unit who acts as a mentor. Usually, SMP Cadets join the Army as an enlisted Soldier, then contract to become an Officer. By doing this, they will have the unique perspective of both an enlisted Soldier, and an Officer. This direct experience allows cadets and relate to their subordinates on a personal level, more than a traditional ROTC student. I was fortunate to have this experience, and shadow two Captains that have given me the opportunity to serve as their Executive Officer (XO). I cannot emphasize enough how much I have learned from this experience. Each month, I use the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), and plan for training events with in my unit. Further, being an SMP cadet I feel that I now have the experience and confidence of an Officer. My unit has had a few SMP Cadets, and all of us have had a similar experience. We are treated as Officers and are given the opportunity to learn. We also get the chance to understand how a formal Army unit functions, which is extremely valuable. I highly recommend if someone is seeking a real-world experience during college, to look into the SMP program. It has been the best decision I made within the ROTC program! Advanced Camp- Cadet Summer Training By CDT Noah Wyka Advanced Camp has been a rite of passage for aspiring officers for over half a century. Though the name seems to change every year, the core of the training has remained the same. The course is for MSIII ROTC cadets, completed during the summer between junior and senior year, and lasts an average of 32 days. In order to pass Advanced Camp, cadets must complete Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM), First Aid, Confidence Course, Rappelling, a PT test, Squad and Situational Training Exercises (STX) Lanes, Land Navigation, a 12-mile Ruck march, and CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) training. The course begins with a flight to Ft. Knox, KY. Often cadets will meet each other on flights to Camp. I flew from Denver with a cadet from Colorado School of Mines who ended up being in my platoon the entire time I was at camp. Most cadets arrive in the afternoon at the Louisville airport and quickly find and tag bags, and check in with the cadre stationed near the baggage claims for the ride from Louisville to Ft. Knox. Upon arriving at the Disney Barracks Complex, cadets are sorted into their platoons and familiarized with the rules and regulations of the course. Day 1 starts with a fire alarm at around 3:45 in the morning. It s hard to know who your platoon members are the first day or two, but usually platoons are grouped in consecutive 10- man bays, and by following your battle buddies you can usually determine roughly where you should be. The first few days are all inprocessing and paperwork. Every evening is

5 three or four hours of Sexual Harassment and Ethics briefings. This is by far the most boring part of Camp. Around Day 4, the actual training begins. Cadets take a PT test or OPAT, and take standardized tests on computers. Day 5 is Field Leaders Reaction Course (FLRC), rappel, and confidence course day. You learn and re-learn how to tie a Swiss seat harness to rappel from, and solve complex problems as a squad on the FLRC course. The confidence course is essentially a tall obstacle course, with elements towering up to fifty feet above the ground. On Day 5, cadets move to Tent City, a mocked up Forward Operating Base, or FOB. Day 6 is weapon issue, and the night of Day 8, cadets deploy, and the field portion really starts. The final battle happens around Day 22, and is the most fun you can possibly have while at Ft. Knox while improving greatly upon leadership skills. Arriving back at the barracks means cadets mostly clean weapons and outprocess. Graduation follows, and around noon the last day, 32 days at Ft. Knox is over. Hundreds of thousands of cadets and officers have successfully completed Advanced Camp over the past 50 years. They may call it LDAC, Warrior Forge, CLC, Summer Camp, or any other number of names it has been known by, but the same general principle remains. The vast majority of cadets pass Advanced Camp on the first attempt, and stress over failure is undue. It is a major milestone in ROTC on the path to commissioning as an Officer. As long as you try your best, give it all you have, and remember that your fellow cadets are humans too, you will succeed. Bronze Boot Run By CDT William Bakemeyer The Bronze Boot Run is a tradition in preparation for the border war between Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming. It involves the two school s ROTC programs running the game ball from War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, WYO to Hughes Stadium at CSU in Fort Collins, CO. The distance between the Stadiums is approximately 65 miles. This year, CSU Army ROTC began the run at the border of Wyoming and Colorado at around noon to run into Hughes Stadium. The cadets ran in two man teams, switching off with other ROTC members in a van not far behind.

6 This year, we had 36 cadets volunteer to split up the 39 miles on our race form the border into Hughes Stadium. After about 6 hours of running, The Ram Battalion s runners reached Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins. The game ball was passed off to the head coach and athletic director of CSU to initiate the game. Two cadets from the CSU Army ROTC Battalion were designated to travel with the CSU Football team and act as guards for the Bronze Boot that was present at the border, in the locker room, on the bus, and with the CSU Football team for 2 days. The Bronze Boot is a Trophy held by the latest winning team. The boot was worn in the Vietnam War by Cpt. Dan J. Romero, an Army ROTC instructor at CSU between 1967 and 1969 and bronzed after his service. During the start of the game, the guards march the Bronze Boot out to the coin toss and back to the CSU side of the field. They stood there all game, protecting the boot from fans, answering questions, and preventing the opposing team from trying to take it. The Boot has been under the care of the Ram Battalion for the 25 th time in 48 years. Unfortunately, the Rams fell to Wyoming in 2016, but will be taking the Boot Back in 2017! Go Rams! Take the Boot! Basic Training By CDT Connor Cattolica Basic Combat Training is a unique experience when it comes to cadets in Army ROTC, mainly because it is not a requirement to join ROTC or commission as an Officer. When and if a prospective cadet chooses to go to Basic Training it is for one of two reasons usually. First, it gives the cadet real experience in the Army. If a cadet chooses to go to basic training they will go through the entire process from talking to a recruiter, going to MEPS, and finally going and completing basic training. The Basic Training a cadet will go to if they choose this route will be the exact same Basic Training that people enlisting in the Army. Second going to Basic Training and selecting to join the Army Reserve or National Guard allows to cadet the opportunity to join the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) through ROTC. This process involves some more steps however all this information can be provided by the ROTC program. Basic Training will be a life changing experience. It will challenge you mentally and physically. The Drill Sergeants will take you and mold you into a soldier. It is not a particularly pleasurable experience. There will be long days of training that don t seem to end, there will be days you want to quit. However, the days will end and they will get easier. Basic Training will make you into a stronger person. You will learn to push yourself to new heights and find that limitations you thought you had were simply

7 mental blocks you had on yourself. You will learn to work as a soldier with in a platoon to achieve things a group that a single individual could never accomplish. You will learn what it means to be a soldier. You will start with reception and in-processing where you will do all the final paper work before you step off to start your training. After you will get the opportunity to learn to shoot not only a M4 carbine rifle but also a M249 squad automatic weapon and a 240B machinegun. You will repel from a 40-foot tower, this will instill confidence in not only your equipment but yourself. You will be challenge physically everyday by working out with your platoon during Physically Training. You will spend multiple days outside the barracks on Field training days on simulated missions on what it s like to go outside the wire and conduct platoon missions and sleeping outside the wire. Finally, you will gain the right to call yourself a United States Soldier and you will be able to hold your head high while you walk on to the parade ground and graduate from Basic Training. In conclusion, Basic Training will make you into an Army Soldier, it will not be easy but it is an achievable task. More information is available online. Basic Camp-Cadet Summer Training By CDT Maria Aragon Basic Camp formally known as Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) is a four-week introduction to leadership training of ROTC and a basic introduction to Army life. The course is designed for cadets who did not do ROTC their freshmen and/or sophomore year of collage, and cadets who did not attend Basic Training or selected cadets after their MS I year of ROTC. The main goal of Basic Camp is to motivate and qualify cadets for entry into the senior ROTC program. Basic Camp is an intense four-week course in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. The course instills confidences in each cadet and improves on their decision-making abilities to become a better Officer. Right away cadets are thrown into challenges to push their boundaries. The first few days cadets spend their time learning Army basics from their drill sergeants; they also get to spend some time meeting their platoon and squad, which is a mix of different cadets from around the nation. Shortly after the first few days, cadets begin their small group team building activities, such as, obstacle courses, ropes course, and chemical biological radiological nuclear and explosive training. Each of these courses is set to improve the cadet s personal strength and overcome their fears. Fear of heights is a big one for most people; cadets get to confront this fear on the high ropes course on top of a 31 ft rappel tower. Towards the middle of the camp cadets break up into two or three man teams and learn the importance of land navigation. Each cadet is given a map, compass, grid points, and protractor. Each cadet will have a chance to shoot an azimuth and set out to find his or her points with the help of their peers. Cadets will also get to learn the skill of marching and shooting. Cadets will have a day at the range, shooting an M4 and learning how to take apart the weapon and clean it. Throughout the time at camp cadets will march with their platoon everywhere they go. Each cadet gets to take on a leadership role among their peers and build on their confidence and decision making abilities. Senior officers and newly commissioned second lieutenants are there to help coach and mentor the cadets throughout their leadership time. The third week at camp cadets get to go out to the field and have a chance to run missions, such as squad ambush, attack, recon, etc. Each cadet will have a chance within their squad to be a squad leader and run one or two missions, some cadets might even get to be platoon sergeant or the platoon leader of their platoon.

8 At the end of the camp cadets have a graduation, showing their friends and family how far they have come in a month and how much they have learned about themselves. Cadets will walk away from Fort Knox with new experiences, great new friends, and having overcome many obstacles. Color Guard By CDT Keith Archuleta One of the oldest traditions in the U.S. Army is the presentation of the colors. This is one of the services the Ram Battalion has provided in Northern Colorado since Charles L. Ingersoll was the president of the university in 1881 when he, a civil war veteran, organized a student drill team. The Color Guard team has presented our nations colors at community events throughout Northern Colorado, such as Colorado Eagles games and town parades, as well as many CSU events. Colorado State cadets have been able to present the national colors at all CSU Football, basketball, and soccer games throughout the season. Teams have also participated in events across the Front Range, having the honor of presenting at the yearly Honor Flight Ceremony and much more. Cadets volunteer for this honor, and have the distinct duty of positively representing the Ram Battalion during these events. Any cadet can be a part of this distinct group. The only requirement is learning basic marching and rifle skills. Though each event has a different uniform requirement, there are events that do not require a dress uniform and are tailored to mentoring younger cadets and honing their skills. Once a cadet becomes a regular member of the Color Guard team, they are awarded a white cord to adorn their dress uniform, showing they are a part of the elite team carrying on the tradition of the CSU Ram Battalion Color Guard. Cadet Troop Leader Training Course By CDT Mason Kasunic The Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) provides Cadets the opportunity to experience leadership in Army Table of Organization and equipment (TO&E) units over a three to four week period. Cadets serve in lieutenant-level leadership positions in activeduty units. Platoon Leader positions have a 3-4 week duration depending on the hosting unit and location. Assignments include units that are located in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside Continental United States (OCONUS). Cadets are assigned a unit mentor, and are provided on-post lodging and meals via a Dining Facility. This program is exclusively designed for MS III Cadets after completion of Advance Camp. There are two leadership opportunities within the CTLT Platoon Leader. The CTLT Platoon Leader Program which consists of platoon leader positions identified by active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard units both CONUS and OCONUS. Non-SMP MSL III cadets are assigned to the CTLT Platoon Leader program by their PMS and must successfully complete Advance Camp before proceeding to their assigned position. CTLT Platoon Leader positions do not require an application. Cadets are assigned for a period of three-weeks with CONUS units and four-weeks with OCONUS units. Positions are allocated to each Brigade via Cadet Command Information Management System (CCIMS). Brigades allocate positions to battalions. Cadets receive an Officer Evaluation Report upon completing the Platoon Leader assignment.

9 CTLT Platoon Leader task and learning objectives varies depending which Brigade Cadets are assigned to and the Battalion s task origination during the time of the Cadets assignment. Such objectives could be writing an award packet, conducting a NCO counseling, leading a convoy, conducting a range qualification operation, for example. Cadets at CTLT may have the opportunity with the Commanding Officer s (CO) permission to be assigned to staff officers if a Cadet is interested in the branch of a specific staff officer. Similar to the CTLT program is Drill Cadet Leader Training (DCLT). This training program sending Cadets to Basic Combat Training Units (BCT) across CONUS to experience and exercise their leadership skills during the training of new army recruits. The 3- week program ingrains Cadets in a company of privates experiencing basic training themselves. The selected Cadets participate in training events such as the Night Infiltration Course, land navigation, and the rifle/machine gun range. Cadets will work alongside and learn from experienced drill sergeants and company level leadership. This is a unique experience for those Cadets who never witnessed how their future enlisted soldiers are trained. Cadets to experience company level leadership in a Training Unit rather than in an Operational Unit in CTLT. All CTLT positions are linked to a specific regiment of Advance Camp. As a result, attendance to the specific regiment is mandatory. The assigned regiment will not be changed to accommodate personal situations. Cadets selected for a CTLT (Platoon Leader or DCLT) position must complete the CTLT Acceptance Statement and maintained in the Cadet's ROTC records on campus. Only cadets authorized by the Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command via the Permissive Jump Authorization Memorandum may participate in jump operations while attending CTLT training. Cadets who have completed the Basic Airborne Course and are assigned in a position that requires airborne qualification. The school needs to send a copy of the orders awarding the Cadet the parachutist badge from Airborne School to the CTLT Program Manager. No other documents may substitute "orders only." Iron Owl Challenge By CDT Austin Moree Iron Owl (IOC) is an annual challenge which takes place in Klamath Falls, Oregon at The Oregon Institute of Technology. IOC honors all of our fallen and wounded warriors, recognizing the valor, selfless service, and tenacity that they embody. This event specifically symbolizes our Special Operations Command (SOC) community by replicating similar challenges those individuals faced to become the best. In dedication to the members of SOC, Iron Owl weighs the willingness and determination of those who desire to have what it takes in order to be the best. For forty-eight hours straight, this challenge tests team members physical strength and fortitude, as well as their ability to think and remain calm under stressful environments. Most importantly, Iron Owl evaluates each person s ability to be a team player. For the first time in the history of Colorado State University s Army ROTC program, the Ram Battalion was invited to participate in the 5 th Annual IOC from 15 MAY through 17 MAY, Colorado State Army ROTC sent one five-person team to compete, composed of the best tactical, technical and physical leaders the Ram Battalion had to offer. After a few months of intense physical training and tactical preparation, the Ram IOC team was ready to compete. The 5 th Annual IOC began with a warrior s breakfast and briefing of events, followed by an opening ceremony where each team was presented with a brick that displayed the face and bio of a fallen warrior. Each team s then competed in a series of events for fortyeight straight hours, including two Marine Corps and one Army Physical Fitness Tests, two forced road marches of unknown distances (no less than a half-marathon each), KIMS Game (a USMC Scout Sniper School game to hone student snipers abilities to look at things critically; from Rudyard Kipling's book "Kim ), pool events (including full gear swim and buddy drag, brick

10 push and four lap swim with four different strokes), CrossFit events, the Ledge (full gear hike of unknown distance), scholastic challenge (subjects possibly including military history, calculus and operations orders), day and night land navigation, an Army Special Forces challenge, a two-and-a-half mile unassisted river swim, and a live-fire consisting of a pistol, assault rifle and precision rifle. Throughout all events, teams were required to carry their fallen warrior with them. The IOC will easily be one of the most physically and mentally demanding competitions a soldier can ever compete in for the duration of his or her life. The challenges teams must adapt to and overcome under mental and physical fatigue can only be shared among a given few who had the guts to face those challenges together. Upon completion of the IOC, you and your team will feel a sense of accomplishment, exemplifying Colorado State University s tradition of excellence. National Guard By CDT Colton Hernandez The Colorado National Guard was founded in 1860 and since then soldiers of the National Guard have served the state and the nation in both times of peace and times of war. The soldiers of the National Guard are the first military responders to emergency disasters in the state and the nation. Throughout the year, cadets have the chance to affiliate in many ways with the Colorado National Guard. ROTC Cadets at Colorado State University have the chance to train with National Guard soldiers throughout the year. Often times, at the Field Training Exercises (FTX) held once per semester, National Guard soldiers will role play as the opposing force for better training. They see the missions from a different view point and offer constructive criticism and advice to cadets based on their perspective and experience. Cadets also have the chance of being graded by a National Guard recruiter on the Army Physical Fitness Tests (APFT) held throughout each semester. Cadets also have the opportunity to join the National Guard in their freshman through junior years of college. There are many benefits to joining the National Guard. Cadets who join the National Guard have the chance to attend basic training that all enlisted soldiers complete and some cadets even get to experience Advanced Individual Training that is also required for all enlisted soldiers. This gives the cadet experience in working with young soldiers and provides an understanding as to what is expected in the U.S. Army. Attending basic training teaches the cadet discipline and respect. It teaches military customs and courtesies that will help the cadet in future years of ROTC. Another advantage of joining the National Guard as a cadet is the training that comes from the Guard unit. The cadet will drill once a month and two weeks per year with the Guard unit shadowing an officer. This experience will pay off as a future Army officer. The Colorado National Guard offers many resources and opportunities for Army ROTC cadets here at Colorado State University. Cadets who take advantage of these opportunities will prosper in the future as Army officers! Current Cadets are members of the 282 Eng CO, 409 Eng CO and 104 TNG BDE to name a few. Junior ROTC Support By CDT Nathan Smyser One of the main efforts of Ram Battalion is the support and training we give to the High School students that make up the JROTC Indian Battalion. These junior cadets come from four High Schools in the Loveland area and all train together. Our goal is to assist in training these junior cadets and help them acquire the skills necessary to become college

11 students or enter the workforce as capable adults. We attend training meetings, Drill Meets, and other events held at the JROTC level to ensure this. We also invite these cadets to join us at our labs and other training events to show them what college life could be like for them. The overall purpose is to create and keep a culture of hard working and motivated students that will continue our trend of success in the United States Army. Push-Up Crew By CDT Alexandra Elison For many students cheering on the Rams Football team at home games each fall is one of the best parts of their college experience. The Ram Battalion is an integral part of these football games through Ram Town, Cannon Crew, and Push-up Crew. During pushup crew, not only do you get the best seats in the house right behind the end zone but you get to represent the program and the United States Army in a unique and fun way. Each game pushup crew gathers before the game to prepare to support the Rams, throughout the game we cheer, and spectate from right on the field (even when the Rams play in Broncos Stadium). On the field we are alongside players, University Officials, CAM the RAM, and encourage the fans to get loud for our team. Each time the Rams score, we complete a set of pushups to match the number of points the Rams have put of the board. Most of the crowd counts along accentuating school spirit. Not only does this club show our school involvement but it shows the community a good face for the Ram Battalion as well as getting a good workout when the Rams are on top. This club along with many others help to develop our teamwork and dedication to the military as a single unified force. Push-up Crew is a great way to earn accessions points, meet people in the program, work on Push-ups, and is always open to every cadet in the program. Ranger Challenge By CDT Brandon King For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to participate in what is known as the varsity sport of ROTC; Ranger Challenge. Ranger Challenge is designed for cadets who want to get out of their comfort zone and seek more adventure. The team generally forms early in the semester and trains every morning up to the competition. The competition consists of several events, this year the team competed in weapons systems disassembly and assembly, basic rifle marksmanship (shooting), the hand grenade assault course, knot tying, the one rope bridge, a fifteen-mile ruck, land navigation, combat casualty care, and radio communications. With the start of the fall semester comes the start of Ranger Challenge; it begins with tryouts. Just like any varsity sport the tryouts are tough and only the most physically fit people make the team. This year our first day of tryouts started at 0400 which is a couple hours before normal physical training started. At 0400, we started the tryouts by taking the Army Physical Fitness Test. After taking the test the remainder of the time was spent physically testing ourselves. The end of tryouts is an early morning ruck march along the dam at Horsetooth Reservoir. After tryout is over, we decide who has the physical capability to make the team and who should get cut. Once the team is established we begin training for two and a half months before the competition. We split up the time between

12 working out and preparing for the events that we will compete in. This year we spent quite a few of our mornings learning knots and figuring out how to complete the one rope bridge. After the two and a half grueling months of waking up early, you finally get to compete against other programs. This year we competed against twelve other teams within 5 th Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. My favorite event this year was the basic marksmanship. I had the opportunity the qualify with the 9MM pistol and M4 Rifle. After our heart rate was high from the physical events, they gave us the weapons and began a marksmanship competition. One doesn t understand how hard it is to hit a target when you are out of breath; I know I underestimated the difficulty. This year we came in 3 rd place, however, we have our eyes on first place for next year. There are times during the competition when it gets hard. There are times when I do think about quitting or how much it sucks. When it s all over though you look back on Ranger Challenge and feel proud that you accomplished it. I would recommend ranger challenge to anyone because it is a chance to test yourself and find out how much strength you really do have. Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program By CDT Fikreta Dzanic The CULP (Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency) program is an outstanding opportunity provided through the U.S. Army Cadet Command in partnership with the State Department. Every year hundreds of Cadets across the U.S. come together in Fort Knox, Kentucky to be sent to host nations to be immersed in foreign cultures. Cultural awareness training is a vital component now in the military. Counterinsurgency is a large portion of the military and the ability to operate and thrive within foreign countries is vital to successful military operations. I was sent to Bulgaria in Europe to encourage the Bulgarian Naval Cadets to use their English that they have learned in class and use it in a real-life situation, and conduct a humanitarian project. The regions available are Africa, Asia, Europe and South America with mission choices of CELTT (Cadet English Language Training Team), Mil-to-Mil (primarily military training operations) or humanitarian efforts. CULP missions are one month long, with the first week spent in-processing and preparing at Ft. Knox, 3 weeks spent in-country, and a few days out-processing in Ft. Knox at the end. We touched down around mi-day in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. We spent three days in Sofia with three other teams. During those three days, we used our navigational skills to plot points and move to different historical places, and to learn the history of them. After the three days, the four teams split up and went to their own cities. We took a six-hour bus drive to Varna, located right by the Black Sea. The second day in Varna we met up with our Bulgarian counterparts. For the first five mornings, we were in uniform at the Naval academy. We sat in a classroom, played games like heads up and talked to each other to learn more about each other and have them practice

13 their english. The afternoons were spent in civilian attire seeing the sights in nearby cities. The Bulgarian naval cadets were our translators when we went and saw attractions with them. The other two weeks were spent traveling Bulgaria and visiting places with historical significance. One of the days we took the whole day to strip off old metal paint from an elementary school fence and repaint it with blue and white paint. The kids were so happy to see it the next day. We did PT every morning on the beach. Most of the time was spent running in the sand. The food there was amazing and it was great being able to try other cultures dishes. My CULP trip was by far the best experience I have had during my time in ROTC, and I recommend any cadet to apply for it. It has made me more open to wanting to learn about other cultures and has made me more of a wellrounded person. This experience has greatly influenced me and I still stay in contact with the Bulgarian Naval Cadets. One day the connections you make early in your career will help you out later in life. Not all cadets get to experience this opportunity and learn how important connections are and learning about another culture. Cultural awareness is a vital characteristic an officer needs to be successful in this era. Air Assault School By CDT Anthony Prater Being selected to attend Air Assault School is a prestigious opportunity for cadets that allows them to learn additional Army knowledge, interact with actual members of the United States Army, and test your ability to adapt and overcome. If selected, this course will teach you a lot about your mental and physical capabilities and your ability to push yourself through events you did not think you could do before. Air Assault school consists of three phases and lasts two weeks of intense training with no breaks. Phase 1 is the initial physical testing and aircraft orientation. The first day, day zero, of this school you will be challenged and tested physically. You will go through rigorous physical training to test your mental fortitude. Once you are exhausted from the physical activity; you will be put through the Air Assault obstacle course. This challenging course tests if you can push through the fear of heights, injury, and exhaustion. Then, you are moved into a classroom to conduct the knowledge portion of Air Assault School. During the first phase, you will learn the different types of aircraft and their capabilities. At the end of the teaching, a written and hand-and-arm signal test is administered. Each candidate has two opportunities to pass each test. After the tests, you will complete a 6-mile ruck march in full combat load with a designated packing list. Passing the ruck and inspection will initiate phase two. Phase 2 is the sling-load phase. You will again be in a classroom and take a test on the material of sling-load operations. Following the written test, you will do a hands-on test inspecting sling-loads and searching for deficiencies in the sling-loads. If you pass these tests, you will then move onto Phase 3, rappelling, which is the most fun part of Air Assault School. You will have ample amount of time to practice rappelling, but you will be tested and timed on your ability to tie a Swiss seat, locking into the rappel rope, and then conduct three different rappels. The rappels are normal with just your uniform and Kevlar, then your flight load carrier and weapon, and then with a flight load carrier, Kevlar, weapon, and ruck sack. Once you demonstrate your ability to complete all the tasks above you will be authorized to continue the school and move to rappelling out of a Blackhawk helicopter. The most exciting part of the school is jumping out of the Blackhawk it makes the whole school worth it. Once you successfully rappel out of a helicopter, you will then need to pass a 12-mile ruck in full combat load to complete the course. You will be issued a packing list, and you must have every item on the list or you will be taken out of the course whether or not you complete the 12-mile ruck. At the 6-mile mark on the course, you receive your Air Assault Badgewhich is extremely motivating and pushes you through the last 6 miles of the course.

14 Once finishing the ruck with all items on the packing list, you have completed Air Assault School and graduation will be on the same day as the ruck. This school is a very humbling experience and will give you life-long leadership skills and knowledge. Air Assault! Airborne School By CDT Andrew West This past summer I had the opportunity to complete Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA. Airborne school is a 3-week course where military members learn how to become paratroopers. The school consists of three phases: ground week, tower week, and jump week. During ground week, I learned how to rig the T-10D and T-11 parachute harnesses. We also spent a lot of time practicing how to do a parachute-landing fall. Although it gets a little mundane learning how to fall with style over and over again, it is one of the most important parts of Airborne School; because as the jumper falls at the rate of about 20 feet per second, improper landings are the culprit of the majority of injuries that occur when jumping. During tower week we learned how to do mass exits out of the 34 foot towers in order to begin practicing exits out of the aircraft. We also continued to practice our PLFs on the swing-landing trainer, which is basically a giant pendulum you swing and drop from in different directions. The final 2 days of tower week, and the last training event before the actual jump, was jumping from the 250-foot tower. After two weeks of training and waiting, we finally got to jump week. As one might imagine, jumping out of the C-130s is the best part of Airborne School. Unfortunately, jump week is only truly fun for the 15 minutes you spend doing the jumps, the rest at least several hours getting rigged up in our harnesses and getting checked and double-checked by the Jumpmasters before each of the 5 jumps. Despite the waiting, the moment we walked aboard the C-130 and felt the jump doors open after we took off was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. The first jump is the most intimidating by far, but the nervousness never quite goes away even by the 5 th and last jump. We ended up doing 2 jumps with the older T-10D and 3 with the newer T-11 parachute. The first 4 jumps were Hollywood jumps with no equipment besides the parachutes, and last jump was with a full combat load. It was a great feeling to safely make my final landing and know I had my wings waiting for me the following day at graduation. For the most part, I had a lot of fun at Airborne School and highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to go; you won t regret it.

15 German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge By CDT William Bakemeyer Although the skills and leadership learned in ROTC is directly transferrable to any job, it is not very often that cadets can earn awards that carry past their ROTC education. The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is a permanent Foreign Service award that cadets at CSU have the opportunity to earn. Awarded by the German Military, this award will be on that individual s record after graduating from CSU and commissioning through ROTC and can be worn throughout the rest of their military career. Earning the badge challenges the individual mentally and physically; featuring events in track and field, swimming, chemical biological suit testing, marksmanship, a combat life saver class, and a foot march with 35lb pack. Cadets who participate walk away with an increased edge over peers in first aid while collaborating and gaining relations with other ROTC programs, National Guard Soldiers, and Reservists. Recipients of the badge will qualify either Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on their performance in all of the events. While this is an individual event, the skills obtained could be applied and used throughout your military career; no matter the branch. Our certifying German Officer is Oberstleutnant Ramon Ahrens, a German Language instructor at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Paintball Super Lab By CDT Jack Palmer Every year, during the fall semester, the Ram Battalion hosts a paintball lab for cadets. Generally, this is one of the cadets favorite labs. Using paintballs allows us to simulate the high intensity of combat as well as have a little fun. We utilized paintball lab this year to teach the cadets the fundamentals of how to enter and clear a room. Paintball lab took place at Bishop- Lehr high school an abandoned school in Greeley, CO. Upon arrival, the cadets were split up in to squads, made up of freshman, sophomores and juniors equally. They were issued paintballs, weapons, and protective equipment and given four rooms to clear. Cadets got the opportunity to clear all four rooms and play OpFor (opposing forces). While waiting, they utilized

16 empty rooms to practice the fundamentals of entering and clearing a room. The OPFOR would be placed throughout the rooms and all of the squads would have the chance to clear all four rooms. This lab is always fast paced and very intense due to the fact that we are actually being shot at. For many cadets, it is the first time they get put in a high stress environment. Paintball lab is a great opportunity for everyone to display leadership in a highly pressured situation. Being a high stress, high paced environment; it gives the cadets an opportunity to refine their leadership skills in stressful situations, rely on training, and make quick decisions- all while under fire. This lab does a great job teaching the proper techniques for entering and clearing a room, while also giving everyone the enjoyment of paintballing with their friends. Tactical Labs By CDT Stephen Maffey Every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Colorado State Army ROTC cadets conduct training to prepare themselves to commission as Officers in the United States Army. Sometimes this involves learning in a classroom setting, but oftentimes the training requires us to travel to the foothills of the Front Range just west of Fort Collins to train in small unit tactics. Officially named the CSU Engineering Research Center, ERC for short, this is an area of land west of campus that provides room for the whole battalion to conduct operations of all sizes and types. Roads, flat areas, and rolling hills allow us to fit each platoon and their maneuvering needs. Many programs do not have such an area to use for their labs, which allows us to better train cadets and practice in class learning in the field. Cadets lead each other on missions in teams of four to five, squads of eight to ten, or platoons of thirty to forty. These training scenarios allow cadets to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real life situations, as well as give them the necessary leadership skills through exposing cadets to stress, testing their critical thinking and problem solving skills, and allowing them to be mentored and assessed on their successes and failures. This training well help the cadets be successful officers and future civilian leaders. Over the course of a cadet s time in ROTC they will become tactically proficient and will be given more responsibility. During the first year of ROTC, cadets will follow their team leaders who are in their second year of training. Team leaders provide direction and guidance that enables their teams to successfully complete the mission. By the time a cadet is in their third year they are responsible for leading a squad of two teams or a platoon of four squads. These cadets must plan and execute missions ranging

17 from ambushes to key leader engagements in which they interact with local villagers to gain intelligence and build relationships. The leadership experience gained through this training establishes within cadets the necessary basic skills to be effective leaders. Our program recognizes that not everyone in the military will be required to utilize infantry tactics, but if cadets are trained to think critically, act decisively, lead others and do it all in a high pressure, fast paced environment then they will be capable of succeeding any job they have in the Army or civilian world. Bataan Memorial Death March By CDT Dillon Mount On January 7, 1942 Japan began the invasion of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines as part of their overall objective to take the Pacific and defeat any allied forces in the Pacific. This battle for Bataan and Corregidor lasted for 3 months, with the eventual surrender of American and Philippine forces to the Japanese. This surrender was represented by General Douglas MacArthur fleeing to Australia vowing to return and take the Philippines back. With the surrender of American and Philippine forces the event known as the Bataan Death March began on April 10 th, The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer of 60,000-80,000 American and Philippine soldiers over 67 miles with no quarter given to any of the prisoners of war. Over the course of the march over 500 U.S. soldiers and over 10,000 Philippine soldiers died as a result. Each year Cadets from Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado Ram Battalion have the opportunity participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March. This event is in memory of the actual Bataan Death March and consists of a 26.2-mile marathon, where participants wear Army Physical Fitness Uniforms or the Army Combat Uniform and a 35 lbs. rucksack. This event is a fantastic opportunity for cadets to learn history in a way that makes a significant impact on their

18 lives. To compete in this race, cadets begin training for the race early in January and train for the next two and a half months until the race that occurs generally the third Sunday of March. This also represents a significant sacrifice for the cadets participating because this is often the second weekend of Spring Break for the cadets. This year was my second opportunity to compete and complete the Bataan Memorial Death March. Each time I have competed in this event I have always found myself wondering why I would do it. The event is extremely important those as it represents the commitment and service of the thousands of soldiers who fought for our nation and gave us the opportunity to do what we wish nowadays. The most significant portion of the event is just before the marathon begins, the Survivors who are still able to travel come to a ceremony and participants have the opportunity to see and talk with the Survivors. For any Cadet participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March will provide a sense of achievement and gratitude for those soldiers who have come before us that many other opportunities can never parallel. Bravo Company By CDT Ryan Weinerth Within the Ram Battalion where the main effort is located at Colorado State University there is a sister program, which is located at The University of Northern Colorado, also known as Bravo Company. Being a cadet in Bravo Company at UNC, you are given all the same opportunities that the CSU cadets are given, but also gain a unique perspective of the Program. At UNC we conduct Physical training on Monday, Wednesday, Friday on and around our campus at 0600 in order to gain a positive start to the day. We also participate in the labs, which are located at CSU, we transport all lower classman in an ROTC van, which helps builds relationships with the other cadets in the UNC program. While at UNC you are taught by the Cadre dedicated to the constant improvement of Bravo Company, and help with all problems from paperwork to PT to actual academic troubles. Bravo Company being a smaller program of around 25 cadets, we tend to make bonds that last all four years and in turn help each other along Leadership Training Exercises By CDT John Buttitta Morning sunlight pierces the cool morning air and washes over the Ram Battalion arranged in a company formation. Gear in hand, row-by-row, cadets load onto busses ready to deploy and complete their mission and training in the imaginary land of Atropia. Although the land of Atropia and combat

19 scenarios have been created by the United States Army there is nothing imaginary about the training! During these biannual field training exercises (FTX) you will create some of your best ROTC memories and get the opportunity to push yourself physically and mentally while gaining invaluable training in leadership and U.S. Army tactics. Colorado State University has a strong relationship with surrounding National Guard units, Reserve units, and other ROTC programs in Colorado and Wyoming. Training in the Ram Battalion will be realistic and vigorous. You will sleep under the stars in a real patrol base, conduct simulated combat mission, participate in team building exercises, and amazing obstacle courses. At Colorado State University field training exercises have been held at Camp Guernsey in Wyoming, Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, and the United State Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; the same areas utilized by the U.S. Army's most elite units for training. These three days in the field are the highlight of any Cadets time in the Ram Battalion. Pick up your rucks and follow me! Dining In & Military Ball By CDT Mykaela Hughes Dining In and Military Ball are great events for cadets to get together as a Battalion in a formal setting. Cadets wear in their formal Army Service Uniform. Dining In takes place during fall semester at the University of Northern Colorado and is for cadets and cadre members only. During this event, cadets and cadre interact with each other in a lighthearted environment. The night begins with a social hour where cadets mingle with each other, then proceeds to the formal section of the evening. A tribute to our POWs and MIAs is given, followed by the making of the Grog. Grog is a tradition within the military, and represents the program, the military and cadets past and present. In ROTC it is a concoction that the Senior (MS 4) class comes up with; every ingredient has a specific meaning assigned to it. The Points of Orders is a time where individual cadets can call out one another on silly things that they have seen other cadets do throughout the semester. At the end of the evening, each class presents a satirical video of how they see the class in above of them. The evening is a huge morale booster for cadets and is most definitely a highlight of the semester. Military Ball is a formal dinner, dance, and presentation of awards that takes place in the military. Ram Battalion s Military Ball takes place during the Spring Semester at Colorado State University. The ball is open to all cadets, cadre, and their dates. We invite guest speakers such as past Medal of Honor recipients, NFL Hall of Famers such as Kevin Greene, the 2015 Cadet Command Commander MG Peggy Combs, and various other leaders within our Army, our communities, and our nation to come and talk to the program and meet the Cadets. During the formal portion of the ball, instructors will recognize award winners for all the hard work that these

20 cadets have put into their schoolwork as well as ROTC at the Sunset Salute Awards ceremony. At the end of the evening, after dinner and dessert, guest speakers, and recognizing the award recipients, the cadets and cadre proceed to end their evening with a dance. These formal events provide excellent opportunities for cadets to get to know great leaders, exercise formal event manners, and create lasting connections and relationships. Each semester these formal events are eagerly anticipated by both cadets, family, and members of the community.

21 Congratulations to the Commissioning Seniors! Transportation Fort Lee, Virginia CDT Cody Poos Field Artillery Fort Sill, Oklahoma CDT Dillon Mount CDT Jack Palmer CDT Stephen Maffey Military Intelligence Fort Huachuca, Arizona CDT Keith Archuletta (Detail FA) CDT Zac Harriman (Detail FA) United States Army Reserves CDT Fikreta Dzanic CDT Micah Maffeo CDT Geoff Ledon