MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is set to host a military skills event at three locations Friday, Oct. 13 on the Macomb campus, Veterans Park in Macomb and the Illinois State Police (ISP) range.
We are excited to host our Task Force Ranger Challenge competition here at WIU,” said WIU ROTC Chair Mark Christiansen. “It is a great opportunity for cadets to test their soldier skills and compete against their fellow cadets. Competition drives exceptionalism, and these types of events are important to achieving our goal of producing highly competent, agile and resilient leaders to serve in all U.S. Army components. It is also an excellent opportunity for the members of our local community to observe the training that our cadets do to prepare to serve as officers in the U.S. Army. We would love to have members of the local community come and support our WIU Cadets as they compete for an opportunity to attend the brigade level Ranger Challenge competition.
This event will welcome seven other ROTC programs, including several Illinois schools, for the Task Force Marseilles Ranger Challenge competition. The competition will test the cadet teams' military skills, including a one-rope bridge, hand grenade assault course, squad tactics exercise, medical emergency response, stress shoot, dynamic problem-solving event and road march around campus. The goal is to identify the team that will participate in the next level of competition, the Blackhawk Brigade Ranger Challenge Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Awards will be granted at the closing ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Friday near the Rock Hanson statue on the Macomb campus.
WIU’s ROTC program aims to enhance students' leadership skills and prepare them for successful careers after graduation. Students have the option of pursuing two degree paths in the program. The four-year program includes the basic and advanced courses, while the two-year program allows students who have completed the ROTC Leader's Training Course, or are U.S. Veterans, National Guard members or Army Reserve members to enter directly into the advanced course.