JROTC Raider Challenge

[cap235629]

Has anyone ever heard of CAP cadets participating in the Army JROTC Raider Challenge competitions?

After researching it I think it would be a great activity that would foster unit cohesion, build leadership skills and add a bit of "high speed, low drag" type stuff.  It appears JROTC allows non Army JROTC units to compete.  In case you don't know what the competition entails, here is an example:

1.   Modified PT Test
The goal of the modified PT test is to assess the physical condition of the Raiders.  The modified PT test consists of the following:
a.   1 minute Push-Ups
b.   1 minute Sit-Ups
c.   1 mile run

2.   Rope Bridge
The goal of the one rope bridge is to successfully cross an 8-man team across a simulated or real obstacle as quickly as possible.  Typically, no more than two members of the team can touch the rope at any given time.  Points are deducted upon dropping objects while crossing.

3.   Land Navigation
The land navigation portion is designed to test the Raiders navigation abilities.  This is done in various ways including:
a.   Asking the Raiders to find points in a given terrain with only the uses of a map, protractors, and compass.
b.   Asking the Raiders to plot points on a map.
c.   Asking the Raiders to determine the distance between objects using their pace count.

4.   First Aid
The goal of the first aid portion of the competition is to assess the Raiders abilities to assess the condition of a victim and to treat the victim.  This is done by:
a.   Simulating a casualty and having the Raiders treat the victim
b.   Having the Raiders transport the victim on a litter-carry through obstacles or a pre-determined course.

5.   5k Road March
The goal of the 5k-road march is to test the physical endurance of the Raiders.
Certain requirements pertain to this event, including:
a.   Maintaining team unity by not allowing the team to separate more than 25 yards from the first to last person
b.   Requiring the team to carry a guide-on
c.   Requiring all members of the team to run with canteens and belts


Sounds cool to me, add this type of activity with Emergency Services Training and possibly some marksmanship training (yes it is allowed) and we could have one heck of a cadet experience without all of the Full Metal Jacket Encampment horror stories.

Thoughts?

[Hill CAP]

I have several cadets in my unit that are on a Army JROTC Raider team and have approached myself and the Squadron Commander about doing this in CAP.

I think our Squadron Commander is going to talk to our group and see if we can set something up as close as we can to Raider Team Challenge.

(modified cause I can not spell tonight)

[LTC Don]

Middle East Region conducted a similar type of event last December at Fort Pickett, VA.  Unfortunately, it did not stand the test of time and a repeat was not done this year.  It was well attended, and had a tremendous amount of potential for growth.  I like the variety of the activities in the Raider Challenge.

Here is the blog post for the Cadet Warrior Challenge: http://cadetsinaction.blogspot.com/2008/11/cadet-warrior-challenge.html


Cheers,

[Senior]

LTC Don,
Ah Fort Pickett...that brings back memories.  Was the pipeline trace
running all over creation when you were there?  When I was in the
USAR I had the pleasure to work all over Fort Pickett.  Beautiful
state that Virginia. 

I participated in the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge, very similar.
I know that it takes a lot of support from a lot of people to make
this happen.  One concern that I have about this type of event it may
put the cadets in a more combat mindset versus a search and rescue
mindset.  Didn't CAP use to have a national SAR competition?

[cap235629]

Well I bumped it up to my Wing Director of Cadet programs and we are moving forward with developing a wing wide competition based upon the Raider Challenge but using Ground Team Tasks as the skill set.  We are also including Raider Challenge specific events like the one rope bridge so that squadrons can compete in the Raider Challenge if they so desire.  Looks great so far and I will keep you posted!

[flyguy06]

I think it sounds like a great idea. And reading the previousposts proves my point that CAP cadets want the "hrad core" training. We should give it to them

[cap235629]

I think it sounds like a great idea. And reading the previousposts proves my point that CAP cadets want the "hrad core" training. We should give it to them

And our previous discussions where part of my motivation to put this together.  I wrote the proposed syllabus and Ops plan with input from many sources.  Our overwhelming desire is to create a "high speed" competition that encompasses military skills as well as CAP skills.  We wanted to avoid the perception of a combat themed event and are calling the competition the "Guardian Challenge". 

Hard Core? You Betcha! Relevant to CAP's Mission? ABSOLUTELY! Will Gunny Hartman make an appearance? NO WAY! (unless R. Lee Ermey wants to be on staff, that would be really cool  )

[Ozzy]

Didn't CAP use to have a national SAR competition?

Used to... There hasn't been a national SAR competition in quite a few years, although I had heard some talk after the NER SAR competition back in... July. NYWG is suppose to be doing one around May.

[RiverAux]

I think this is a great idea, though I wish I'd see as much excitement about traditional cadet competitions as well.  In my wing we're just down to color guard, and very few squadrons participating in that.