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Embry-Riddle’s Army ROTC Team Wins Regional Ranger Challenge Competition

ERAU Team Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 31, 2003 -- The Army ROTC Eagle Battalion from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University triumphed at the 6th Brigade Ranger Challenge Competition held Oct. 24-26 at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga., bringing home the distinguished Army Ranger Trophy.

The event brought together varsity-level Army ROTC Ranger Challenge teams from 20 universities in Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico to compete in physical and mental tests of basic and advanced infantry skills.

The Seminole Challenge kicked off the first day of the competition with an 800-meter obstacle course requiring rope-bridge construction, a casualty litter carry, a log carry, a wall climb, and a 200-meter low crawl. Next, the teams raced in military inflatable boats. The day ended with a three-hour written exam measuring knowledge in military patrolling, leadership, and land navigation.

The second day started with a physical fitness test consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. The Embry-Riddle Army ROTC team placed second in this event with a nearly perfect score. Next, the teams competed in rope-bridge crossing and land-navigation orienteering. In the weapons events that followed, the Embry-Riddle team placed second in M16A2 rifle disassembly and assembly and seventh in M16A2 basic rifle marksmanship. The final event for the day measured accuracy and speed as the teams negotiated the difficult terrain of a hand-grenade assault course.

A 10K forced road march with combat load and rifle was held the last day.

Rifle Marksmanship "This event pushed the Embry-Riddle team to its limits," said team coach Capt. Mario Ochoa. "They overcame exhaustion resulting from the previous two days to place first with a final time of one hour, 11 seconds and to take first place overall in the three-day meet. "

Embry-Riddle's Ranger Challenge team consists of 17 members selected from the 175-member Army ROTC Eagle Battalion. The team captain is Dallas Austin, and the assistant captains are Daniel Malakie and Christopher Zotter. The team members are Embry-Riddle students Mike Ariano, Ryan Buckley, Shaun Curbelo, Justin Goldman, Jason Morales, Joseph Plotino, Joshua Savani, Joshua Siefert, Sean Simpson, Rick Smith, Roshad Smith, Arthur Stepura, Eric Trivette, and Jacob Wacker.

As one of the best Army ROTC teams in the nation, the Embry-Riddle group will take part in the Sandhurst Competition to be held in April 2004 at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

For more information, contact Army ROTC at (386) 226-6470 or armyrotc@erau.edu.

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, meets the needs of students and industry through its educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates more than 25,000 students annually through the master's level at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., at more than 130 teaching centers in the United States and Europe, and through distance learning.