Future Officers Test out DRASH at ROTC Competition

EACH YEAR, YOUNG CADETS FROM ACROSS THE country travel to the University of Kansas to compete in the school's annual Kansas Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition.

This year was no different, and DRASH was on hand to support the competition.

Now in its 16th year, the Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition is a day-long event including participants from schools across the country. During the competition, cadets are faced with several demanding tasks, including a modified Army physical fitness test, a hand grenade assault course, knot tying, weapon assembly and disassembly and a six-kilometer run. The cadets must also complete the crucible, a physically challenging obstacle course through rugged terrain.

More than 200 cadets from 24 schools in 14 states competed in this year's event, which took place on April 24th. When not taking part in the day's tasks, participants were able to keep score and monitor the competition from inside a 442 square foot DRASH Trailed Mounted Support System (TMSS) Medium. The system, complete with Deployable Command and Control Equipment (DC2E), was provided by DRASH Support Facility (SF) Riley to serve as a command and control center throughout the competition.

"At some point these young men and women are going to graduate and become officers. We feel it's important that they have the opportunity to see and use the equipment they may very well be working with in the future once on deployment," explains Mark Williams, SF Riley manager and a former University of Kansas ROTC instructor.