Alpha Company Cadets competed in the first annual Ranger Challenge Ranger Assessment Phase (RAP) week led by current and former Ranger Challenge Cadets.

Background

The 2019 Ranger Challenge command team (Cadet Campos, Cadet Heske, and Cadet Adler) created events to physically and mentally challenge Alpha Company in order to show the Company what Ranger Challenge entails and determine which Cadets are competitive for a position on the 2019 Ranger Challenge team.

Execution

The first event on Monday 18FEB19 was the squad competition at the Indoor Track. Cadets started the event at 0515 with an introduction brief and safety brief. Two squads started at each of the three stations with the goal of completing all stations in the fastest time. The stations tested Cadets’ combat casualty care at the medevac station, mental agility with the tire carry, and physical strength throughout the entire event. Cadet Joe Olis and Cadet Zoe Di Chello were recognized as MVPs of the challenge demonstrating exemplary physical fitness and leadership potential.

The Company took a Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT) on Wednesday 20FEB19 which consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, a 5-mile run, and pull-ups. To pass the test, Cadets were required to complete 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, a sub-40-minute run, and 6 pull-ups to standard. Cadet Will Goss, Cadet Chris Paier, and Cadet Joe Olis were rewarded with Nathan Hale Battalion coins from LTC Morris for impressive scores that earned them 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.

The culminating event for the week occurred on Friday 22FEB19 at Horsebarn Hill. The event included four-15 minute stations followed by a tug-of-war competition between the four teams. The goal of the competition was to complete all stations within the time limit and as fast as possible while maintaining the proper standards. The four events included: skedco pulls, PT smoker lane, Army-related trivia, and equipment transport. Team 1 was the overall winner with a dominating win at tug-of-war.

Conclusion

All Cadets showed tremendous effort and determination this week to make the first RAP week a success. Cadets were able to challenge and develop their physical fitness, mental agility, and resilience throughout every event. The Ranger Challenge team will continue their selection process with the UConn Arctic Ranger Challenge Competition against Bravo Company on 30MAR19 at Horsebarn Hill.

Cadet Emily De La Cruz (left) and Cadet Sean McKenna (right) buddy carry their teammates during the culminating event.

Background

In Israel, all citizens are required to participate in military conscription after graduating high school. Citizens have the opportunity, however, to delay their conscription for a year and spend it abroad to teach and learn in Jewish communities around the nation.

Execution

16 Israeli Emissaries located throughout Connecticut and southern Massachusetts visited the University of Connecticut on 25 January, 2019 to learn about Cadet life and teach Cadets about their experience with the Israeli Military.

Over 20 Cadets and three Cadre from the Nathan Hale Battalion came to the Israeli Emissary discussion. At the start of the event, the Emissaries gave a presentation on military service in Israel and the typical career paths that Israelis take. Unlike Americans, all Israelis are required to partake in military service following high school graduation. After their service (two years for females, three years for males) they typically take a year off to travel the world, going to places like Thailand, India, or Europe before going to university.

After the presentation ended, the Cadets and Emissaries broke into smaller groups to discuss on a personal level. Cadets told the Emissary about the daily training routine of an ROTC Cadet, and the challenges of being a student and a Cadet at the same time, as well as various broadening opportunities and Cadet Summer Training. Likewise, the Emissaries informed the Cadets about their typical training, day-to-day life, and other various opportunities that the Israel Defense Force (IDF) provides.

Conclusion

Nathan Hale Battalion Cadets developed a better understanding of Israeli conscription and the typical enlistment and commissioning path of Israeli Soldiers while the Emissaries were able to learn about Cadet life. Furthermore, the Nathan Hale Battalion Cadets conveyed a positive image of the Battalion on campus and with the visiting Emissaries.