RIT Tiger Battalion Wins Ranger Challenge…Again

Rochester Institute of Technology's Army ROTC Tiger Battalion, 1st Brigade, captured first place in the Ranger Challenge Competition, Eastern Region, held Oct. 14-16 in Fort Devens, Mass. The victory marked the third consecutive year RIT earned top honors in the annual event.

RIT beat 19 other teams in the three-day contest comprised of eight events. Cadets competed in the Army physical fitness test (including push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run), an obstacle course, orienteering, rifle marksmanship, rope-bridge construction, timed weapons disassembly and assembly using M16 assault rifles, a 10-kilometer road march, and a written test on basic infantry skills. Cadets trained six days a week for six weeks in preparation for the grueling competition.

Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of Army ROTC. It stresses individual fitness and soldier skills, but with an emphasis on teamwork. The Tiger Battalion attributes its third straight win to strong team unity and individual perseverance and devotion.

RIT Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) is part of the university's College of Applied Science and Technology.