Rudder's Rangers

Texas A&M University Army ROTC Fall Semester 2020 Rudder's Rangers

Cadets from Rudder’s Rangers Company traveled to Camp Swift for their Fall field training exercise (FTX) on October 1st, 2020 to develop individual skills and

build confidence in preparation for the Rudder’s Rangers best ranger competition (BRC) in the Spring of 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, the company was restricted to a headcount of only 100 Cadets. During the course of the field training, all Cadets conducted the familiarization of the Army obstacle course which greatly enhanced morale and built confidence within each Cadet. As the

sun began to set, the Cadets prepared for night-into-day land navigation in order to build confidence and proficiency in the events for the BRC. Of the six points given, most buddy teams were able to find three to four in the allotted time. The main focus of the FTX was on Ranger tasks and individual Soldiering skills. MSIII (juniors) Cadet Leadership provided training on the M4A1 rifle, M249 and M240B squad automatic weapons, tactical combat casualty care (TC3), call for fire, 9-line medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) request, how to set up and employ claymore mines, how to properly throw hand grenades, and how to assemble/disassemble and use the SINCGARS tactical radio. The round robin training was designed to rotate groups of MSI (freshmen) and MSII (sophomores) Cadets to all of the training stations. This style of training led to valuable lessons. It allowed each Cadet to become more competent on individual tasks, ultimately serving as building blocks for the collective tasks which are required for squad tactics. Finally, the day ended with a platoon competition. The Rudder’s Cadets truly embraced the platoon competition during the final phase of the FTX. Platoon Leaders rallied their Cadets to prepare their equipment, and motivated them throughout the ruck march while pushing themselves to overcome adversities and challenges. While the other events taught individual Soldiering skills, this event helped to build teamwork and camaraderie. Since it was a competition, it became an easy way to rally and give it all to be the best platoon. In retrospect, the FTX was tough, challenging, and realistic. The stage has been set to continue to squad and platoon level operations and many Cadets are looking forward to the next platoon competition to prove that they are still the best, or to seek redemption. The fire has been lit and we, the Rudder’s leadership, look forward to seeing it grow.

Story by Cadet Edith Anzaldua

Cont. !om page 2

during the four-hour daytime segment to receive a Go. Camp Swift’s surrounding areas and dense vegetations caused confusions for some Cadets since they were used to the open terrains at College Station. “The change of the environment and thickness of the woods really made me focus on my map. The way I was able to find my points was to really pay attention to the details. I felt that ROTC did well in preparing me for this land navigation” Ricardo Cervantes commented. One thing Cadets did not anticipate the encounter on the Land Nav course were the presence of wild boars. “I saw one of the boars standing at my point.”

One cadet didn’t want to be named, mentioned the incident.

Meanwhile, the other platoon headed straight to the small arms range for the weapon qualification, where they received a preliminary marksmanship instruction (PMI) on

weapons safeties and shooting

fundamentals. Following the PMI, the Cadre assigned the more experienced shooters with new shooters. “As an experienced shooter, I am excited to mentor other cadets as they qualify with their M4s," Cadet Kevin Wright shared his enthusiasm. Each pair worked together to accomplish the zeroing of weapons at the Zeroing range. Once the weapon received zeroed status, cadets moved to the qualifying pop-up targets range which included 16 lanes with colored pop-up silhouettes ranging from 50 – 300 meters. To pass the rifle marksmanship qualification, each cadet must shot 23 out of 40 targets.

During the Camp Swift FTX, COVID-19 mitigations were implemented to minimize transmission of the virus. As the night fell, each platoon received their designated area for rest and recovery. Six feet separation didn't stop the cadets from maintaining good morale. In the darkness hours, cadets shared stories and encouraged each other on completing the tasks at hand and to receive Go at all stations.