Cadet Activites

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 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!

The Bobcat Battalion proudly supports MSU Athletics in many ways, from rappeling 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!

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 Special Forces Veterans Dinner and Midnight Mania for Montana State University.

All cadets can be a part of this prestigious group.

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.

The Bobcat Battalion conducts two Leader Training Exercises (LTXs) every academic year. The LTXs 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 LTXs 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.

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.

Throughout the years the Bobcat Battalion has had several social activities open to all cadets. These events include 'Brown Jug' intramural sports, the Fall and Spring BBQ, Army ROTC Ski Day, Catapalooza rock climbing, and Halloween PT to name a few.