The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at West Virginia State University (WVSU) will host the Ranger Challenge Scrimmage Friday, Oct. 3, beginning at 9 a.m. on campus and at nearby Shawnee Park in Dunbar.
WVSU cadets will compete against Marshall University’s ROTC team in a variety of challenging events, including first aid medical treatment and evacuation, grenade assault, rifle assembly, log-carry, assembling a one-rope bridge and a Zodiac boat race.
The scrimmage serves to prepare WVSU students for the actual Ranger Challenge competition to be held in Fort Pickett, Va., Oct. 16-19. The Yellow Jacket Battalion will face off against more than 30 universities from along the east coast at the annual event. Last year, WVSU placed third out of more than 20 similar-sized programs.
The Ranger Challenge competition focuses on basic infantry skills, with squad-sized teams competing against other schools in rifle marksmanship, constructing a rope-bridge, patrolling, disassembly and reassembly of the M16A2 Rifle, the Army Physical Fitness Test and multiple timed road marches.
During Friday’s scrimmage weapons assembly will be located inside of the Ferguson-Lincoln Building on campus. A hand grenade assault course will be set up on the quad in front of Dawson Hall. A one-rope bridge formation will be assembled on the quad next to Ferrell Hall; first aid and litter carry will be on the quad next to the Carillion clock tower; and a log carry relay will be alongside the baseball field. The golf course at Shawnee Park will reserved for the day to host the Zodiac Boat Race.
Organizers are inviting the WVSU community to watch the activities across campus, stressing that no real weapons or explosives will be used.
For additional information, please contact Capt. Jonathan B. Judy at (304) 766-3294 or at jjudy1@wvstateu.edu.
