"Champ the Bobcat" rappels into a basketball game with the help of cadets and cadre

Ranger Challenge

Do you have what it takes to be a part of the Championship Bobcat Battalion's Ranger Challenge team?

Ranger Challenge is an inter-collegiate competition between Army ROTC detachments at different universities. It is a grueling multi-day competition which physically and mentally challenges nine-member cadet teams with a variety of military skill events. The Bobcat Battalion this year took second place in the Big Sky Regional Competition, winning multiple events while facing off against schools from Montana to Washington. We have also won four of the last eight Regional Competitions, and eleven of the twenty held since the event's inception.

The events in the Ranger Challenge Competition include the Army Physical Fitness Test (push ups, sit ups, and a two mile run), one-rope bridge construction and crossing, the grenade assault course, assembly and disassembly of the M16 assault rifle, land navigation written exam and course, and a 10k road march with combat load. All Bobcat Battalion cadets can volunteer to try out for the Ranger Challenge team.

The weak of body and faint of heart need not apply!

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Cannon Crew

The Bobcat Battalion proudly supports MSU Athletics in many ways, from rappeling to chain gang to color guard, but the one everyone hears the most about is the Cannon Crew.

Army ROTC cadets at MSU fire a 75mm howitzer at home football games for kickoffs and whenever the Bobcats score. The rounds are only powder blanks, but the bang can be heard for miles, pumping up the crowd and demoralizing opponents.

Cadets can volunteer to be a part of the Cannon Crew for all Bobcat's home football games.

Army ROTC--WE'VE GOT BIG GUNS!

Color Guard

The Bobcat Battalion has an elite color guard team that presents the national colors at various events upon request.

In the past year the color guard team has provided their services to several events, to include the Regional High School Cheerleading Competition and the Northwest Region Lion's Club Winter Conference.

All cadets can be a part of this prestigious organization.

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Combat Water Survival Test

Every semester all cadets complete the Combat Water Survival Test (CWST) as part of their training.

The CWST consists of three events. The first event is the 15 meter swim with combat equipment, to include weapon. The next is the 3 meter blindfolded drop with combat equipment. The final event is the submerged combat equipment removal.

The CWST is used to develop swimming ability, physical fitness, and confidence in cadets.

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Field Training Exercises

The Bobcat Battalion conducts two Field Training Exercises (FTXs) every semester. The FTXs are one to two days in length, and reinforce the classroom instruction with hands on application in a field environment.

Some of the training events that occurs on the FTXs include Basic Rifle Marksmanship with the M16 Assault Rifle, day and night land navigation, platoon and squad unit tactics and battle drills (with paintball), Field Leadership Reaction Course, weapons familiarization (M240 Machine Gun), helicopter operations, and more.

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Dining Out

Every spring the Bobcat Battalion holds the Dining Out ceremony. The Dining Out is a formal dinner, social in nature yet steeped in military tradition, that serves to bring the unit together.

In addition to the outstanding food and comradery, the Dining Out also features a keynote military speaker, an awards ceremony, and a cadet-made movie highlighting the year's activities.

Social Activities

Throughout the years the Bobcat Battalion has had several social activities open to all cadets. These events include 'Brown Jug' intramural sports, the Fall BBQ, the Winter Chili Feed, Army ROTC Ski Day, Operation: Sled-Ex, Catapalooza rock climbing, and a Boxing Smoker to name a few.

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Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 9/16/2005