STEPHENVILLE (November 1, 2017) — Tarleton State University’s Army ROTC made history last week when it brought home first place in the North Texas Regional ROTC Ranger Challenge at Fort Hood.
The 11-cadet team now advances to the Army ROTC’s 5th Brigade Ranger Challenge Head-to-Head Competition, competing against six other regional winners across eight states at Camp Bullis in San Antonio.
Tarleton fielded two teams for the Fort Hood competition.
Tarleton’s Army ROTC won the battalion’s first-ever Ranger Challenge competition at nearby Fort Hood. The 11-cadet team consisted of (l-r) Esias Ortiz, Austin Laughlin, Scout Lindsey, Adam Arata, Nick Bonicoro, Justin Brunett, Gabrielle Howes, John Zellner, Christopher Mazzocchi, Jacob Helmers and Joshua Bitzkie. The team will now advance to the Army ROTC’s 5th Brigade Ranger Challenge Head-to-Head Competition hosted by Camp Bullis in San Antonio.
The Tarleton cadets dominated the 13-team field, consisting of teams from nine other universities: Baylor, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Texas A&M-Central Texas, TCU, Mary Hardin-Baylor, University of North Texas and UT-Arlington.
Over a three-day period, the cadets worked as a team to negotiate and compete in 10 events ranging from a physical fitness test to a 10-mile forced foot march with a 35-pound ruck. Tarleton cadets placed no lower than third in any event, bringing home the first-place streamer for the one rope bridge, tactical combat casualty care, night land navigation and weapons assembly/disassembly events.
“The competition was definitely a challenging task, both physically and mentally. My teammates and I trained hard, and remained dedicated while still completing our obligations to the university,” said Ranger Challenge Platoon Sgt. Austin Laughlin. “It was rewarding to see all of the work bring honor to the Lord, the university, ROTC and my platoon. My teammates and I recognize that this competition is a stepping stone to prepare us for an even greater challenge, the defense of the nation.”
In addition to Laughlin, a Tarleton junior, Platoon Leader Joshua Bitzkie, a senior, heads up the first-place team.
Other members are juniors Adam Arata and John Zellner; sophomores Nick Bonicoro, Justin Brunett, Gabrielle Howes and Scout Lindsey; and freshmen Jacob Helmers, Christopher Mazzocchi and Esias Ortiz.
The Tarleton Army ROTC program is under the guidance of Lt. Col. Marty Deckard, professor of military science and Master Sgt. Jacob Gilmer, senior military science instructor.
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