IU ROTC Training

By Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

Cadets from the Indiana University Reserve Officers Training Corps ranger team complete the "weaver", at a Camp Atterbury obstacle course. The group completed their field training exercise with the rest of the IU ROTC, but then remained at Camp Atterbury after the FTX to prepare for the upcoming ranger challenge. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc (Released)

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Indiana University, Bloomington Reserve Officers Training Corps completed its fall field training exercise, or FTX, at Camp Atterbury from Thursday to Sunday.

While here, the group conducted day and night land navigation, reconnaissance training, reaction to ambush training and basic infantry skills. The cadets further submerged themselves into the military life by consuming meals "ready to eat" and sleeping "in the field" at night.

Cadet Christine Blum, an IU freshman and first year ROTC cadet, said that the training was beneficial and taught her a lot. "You can learn things in the classroom and get the material, but out here we have gotten the experience from the hands-on training," she said. "Now when I see or learn something in the classroom back in Bloomington, I will be able to refer back to this training and understand it better."

Cadet Jim Thomas, a sophomore at Indiana University and member of the IU Reserve Officers Training Corps, climbs a rope ladder, at a Camp Atterbury obstacle course. The IU ROTC conducted their fall field training exercise at Camp Atterbury and used the time here to prepare for the upcoming Ranger Challenge. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc (Released)

The FTX also was used as a preparation opportunity for the upcoming Ranger Challenge Competition, the "varsity sport" of Army ROTC. The IU ranger team members used their time here to familiarize themselves with some of the obstacles in the competition. The Ranger Challenge Competition consists of competitions between five- and nine-person teams such as day and night land navigation, an Army physical fitness test, weapons assembly, an obstacle course, litter carry, Humvee pull, one rope bridge crossing and a 10 km foot march. 2nd Lt. Pat Corbett said that being able to train at Camp Atterbury is a great home field advantage. "We are here doing training all of the time," he said. "It's a great place and since the ranger challenge is going to be held here, what better place to be to complete training than here?" After the other IU ROTC groups returned to Bloomington, six Ranger Challenge teams remained at Camp Atterbury to complete training on obstacle courses and the rope bridges, including an all female team.

"This is a great group," said Corbett. "They like to be challenged and pushed. It's fun being with people who want to be here." Corbett said that the IU team won the Ranger Challenge for the past two years and hopes to keep the tradition going.

A member of the 2007 ranger team, Cadet Trent Setterfield, a senior at IU, said that the 2008 ranger team has a great chance. "We are a younger team than before so we don't have as much experience," he said, "But we are a lot quicker. Everyone has been keeping up with the training this weekend and we plan on winning again." Other ROTC ranger teams scheduled to compete in the upcoming Ranger Challenge include Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue University, Michigan University, Michigan State University, Ball State University, and Notre Dame University.

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