Shippensburg University’s campus on Saturday, April 6, was a flurry of activity and events.
One of these events was the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Raider Challenge Competition.

Seven high school teams from across the Central Pennsylvania area all traveled to Britton Park to see how they measured up in a competition of teamwork, physical fitness and Army skill events.

The Raider Challenge brings together high school teams of eight cadets, each who have practiced throughout the year for the events.

They are the most “high-speed” cadets in their programs and it is the equivalent of a varsity JROTC team.

The actual competition consisted of five events that tested the team’s ability to accomplish tasks associated with being in the U.S. Army.

First was the Army physical fitness test, which consists of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and then a two–mile run.

This is the same test taken by the all ROTC programs on campuses across the country and the rest of the operational Army around the world.

Then the cadets were tested in their Army skills with land navigation using a compass and pace count.

There was also a medical exercise which tested the teams’ ability to evaluate and treat people with injuries.

One event came in the form of the one—rope bridge water crossing. Teams had to tie a rope from one side of Burd Run to another and send the team across the rope, over the creek and safely to the other side.

The many knots, time restraints and physical exertions make this a favorite event of many of the cadets.

Finally, the teams all competed in a 3,000 meter run that tested their cardiovascular endurance and their ability to stay together as a team after a long and strenuous day.

Organized by SU’s Raider Battalion ROTC program, the event was the culmination of the Raider Competition teams from the high schools of Gettysburg, Cedar Cliff, Cumberland Valley, Carson Long, Red Land, Shikellamy and Wilson.

Ending the day in first place was Cumberland Valley, followed by Cedar Cliff then Wilson, but the day was a valuable lesson in leadership and teamwork for all of the schools.
“It’s impressive what these teams were able to do today,” said Cadet Catherine Green, organizer and chief coordinator of the event.

“They showed good sportsmanship and the competition was close through all of the events. Programs like these help young leaders of character develop lifelong skills they will use whatever direction they will go in,” Green said.

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