Nurses compete in 2007 Ranger Challenge Competition
By CPT Stephanie Martinson
Each of the 14 ROTC Brigades within Cadet Command hold an annual Ranger Challenge Competition, and this year the 2 nd “ Liberty ” Brigade Ranger Challenge Competition was on 20-21 October at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of ROTC and Cadets within the 19 Battalions competed for one of the 10 slots on each school's team. The Cadets that made the team possess mental and physical strength, and were disciplined and motivated to train five to six days per week in the early morning hours while the rest of campus was still quietly sleeping.
The winning team of the competition is determined by achieving the lowest number of points after completing in eight major events to the best of their ability. The competition began with an APFT whereby the Rangers attempted to start their team off in first place by reaching well into the extended scale for scoring. The lead team at the conclusion of the APFT had an average of 331.8 points!
Following the APFT, the competition was conducted in round-robin rotations until all teams completed each of the events. The Rangers constructed a one-rope bridge and used it to get everyone across a stream. The fastest time wins this event, but if they are not careful extra minutes are added on for incorrectly tied knots. The Cadets maneuvered through the grenade assault course to hit six different targets within the 5-meter bursting radius. The targets simulated tossing a grenade into a window or a bunker for example, and tested the ability to throw from different positions such as standing and kneeling. Each Cadet had to be prepared to disassemble, reassemble, and perform a functions check on an M16 rifle and M9 pistol. Additionally, the teams were tested on their M16 marksmanship.
One would think that these events are plenty to make this a tough competition, but the day is only half over. At orienteering they had to accurately plot 8-digit grid coordinates to determine the distance and direction of their points. Each team had 80 minutes to find as many of the 24 points as possible. The obstacle course was easily the most grueling event of the day. The teams had to negotiate 10 obstacles that required strength, balance, endurance, and again, speed. This event is was made even more challenging by requiring the Rangers to transport a casualty, simulated by a 6-foot telephone pole on a litter, between all obstacles and then to the finish line.
In the evening everyone was completely exhausted, but the challenge continued with a 198-question written exam on patrolling. Finally, after the exam the Cadets could rest, eat, and hydrate for the next day's culminating event, the 10K road march. This is the ultimate team experience because the watch does not stop until every member has crossed the finish line. The Rangers had to race in BDUs with boots, an M16, and a ruck-sack with the required packing list. As each team crosses the finish line they are overcome with pride whether they have moved into the first place position or dropped into the last.
Five future Army Nurse Corps officers from schools within the Liberty Brigade competed in Ranger Challenge this year, and two more trained with the team and attended the competition as alternates. The competitors were Ashley Gilbert of Penn State University , Brandi Cory of Indiana University of PA, Vincent Carboni and Joseph Keck of University of Scranton , and Maxwell Brutsche of Duquesne University ( University of Pittsburgh ROTC ). The alternates were Troy Bouvier of University of Scranton and Amayaliz Grullon of Molloy College (Hofstra University ROTC). These Cadets deserve recognition and cannot be described as anything less than over-achievers. The undergraduate nursing program is already rigorous and commissioning through ROTC takes stress to a new level; yet, every year nurse Cadets will find a way to balance their classes, clinicals, sleep, and overall sanity for the painfully exhilarating feeling they get when crossing the finish line of the 10K road march. The future of the Army Nurse Corps is looking smarter, faster, stronger, and more dedicated than ever before!
CDT Ashley Gilbert of Penn State University at the APFT.
CDT Brandi Cory of Indiana University of PA getting ready to cross the one-rope bridge.
CDT Joseph Keck of University of Scranton on the grenade assault course.
Graduation and Commissioning at the University of West Florida
By: MAJ Anthony Portee, 8 th Brigade Nurse Counselor
Many who embark on the quest to become a professional soldier and a registered nurse are unaware of the difficult tasks that await them along their journey. In the beginning, we are unaware of the time requirements needed to become a gifted clinician and dedicated soldier. Burning the midnight oil is not just a phrase it becomes a way of life. Over the past weeks, students across the country celebrated the culmination of four years of intense study in nursing and military science as they received their degrees and the coveted United States Army Commission.
The students at the University of West Florida ( UWF ) were fortunate to have MG Pollock, Chief of the Army Nurse Corps and Acting Surgeon General of the Army, serve as both their commencement and commissioning ceremony guest speaker. The commissioning ceremony at UWF marked a first for the Military Science Department. It was the first time a nurse received a commission thru this Army ROTC program. Second Lieutenant Girah Caraballo, a trail blazer at the University, was bestowed this honor by MG Pollock who administered the Oath of Office. In addition, Second Lieutenant Jonathan Epperson, who will attend medical school at the Lake Erie College of Medicine and then branch Medical Corp, was also commissioned by MG Pollock.
During the ceremony, MG Pollock discussed the call to service and the motivated young men and women who continue to answer the call to serve their country during these challenging times. The focus of her remarks centered on a survey regarding the mental health and battlefield ethics of 1,320 Soldiers and 447 Marines. A full copy of the report can be found at: full copy here. The Chief also shared some of the adventures she encountered during her career.
Pictures: MG Pollock, LTC Pollock, & 2LT Caraballo
TDY for Nurse Recruiting
By CPT Stephanie Martinson
There are three Cadet Command programs that allow temporary duty status for speakers to assist the ROTC program with the recruiting and retention of nurse Cadets. These programs are the Special Recruiter Assistance Program (SRAP), the Officer Returning Alumni Program (ORAP), and the funding for Centers of Influence (COI) program. Recruiting events usually include a presentation of experiences to nursing students with the intent that they gain an understanding of the exciting opportunities available to Army nurses. Additional events might include speaking to parents or university educators with the intent to gain support for ROTC and Army nursing from those who influence students' decisions.
The SRAP reimburses travel and per diem for up to 14 days of TDY and it can be taken in conjunction with ordinary leave. Officers who are 28 years of age or below, currently located in CONUS, and have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) may participate in this program.
The ORAP is a non-funded permissive temporary duty (PTDY) for up to 10 days. An effective timeframe for participation is enroute to the Captains Career Course (CCC), or enroute to a follow-on assignment. Officers should be 30 years of age or less and have at least two to four years of experience. Service in OIF or OEF is not required for participation in this program. The age requirement for both the SRAP and ORAP can be waived but the most effective participants are those who can identify with the 18-25 year old college students.
A COI is someone who has the ability to influence a target audience, which includes not only nursing students, but also their parents and university educators; therefore, funding for COI is open to Army nurses in all ranks and age, including retired, as well as civilians. Participants in the program are reimbursed for travel and per diem for the length of the TDY.
I would like to send a special thanks to 1LTs Dunn, Cogan, Martino, Brauchli, and Pacella of the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad for their outstanding teleconference presentation to the 2nd Bde ROTC Nurse Conference on 16 April 2007. The effect that this presentation had on the audience of nurse educators, nursing students, and Professors of Military Science was profound; all were moved by the genuine enthusiasm for providing patient care to America's heroes and the Iraqi people.
The Nurse Play Book - Demystifying The Nursing Student
In the business of recruiting, it is far easier to assign a mission than it is to attain it. For some time we have been stressing the importance of recruiting nursing students on your campus...
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Army ROTC Nurse About The Program Videos
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