For the second successive year, the University of Arizona Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Ranger Challenge team has earned a 5th Brigade U.S. Army ROTC national championship berth with more than one woman represented.
The UA team took first place recently in the regional Brigade Ranger Challenge Competition held in Fort Bliss, Texas. With five female cadets, the team was the only one to include more than one woman.
Since the UA’s founding in 1891, the team had not won a regional ranger challenge championship with a starting team including more than two women, said Master Sgt. Carl Haskins, a UA senior military science instructor.
Four of the five women will be part of the team that competes in the nationals, to be held Friday through Monday at Camp Bullis near San Antonio. The team will be tested against other ROTC programs across the country in speed, agility, endurance, and the ability to complete specific tactical and technical skills.
“The University of Arizona has a long history of developing great leaders and citizens through the ROTC program, and winning the regional competition is a proud moment for all UA students,” Haskins said.
“Having five females on the team was a historic moment for ROTC,” he said, noting that starting teams are required to have only one female representative.
At the regional, the UA group of five women and six men competed against a dozen other teams, including those representing Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and the University of Texas, El Paso. Testing included critical thinking, casualty care, weapons assembly and disassembly, and physical fitness.
Cadet Capt. Assistant Regina Ebell said the regional triumph was special because the team has a number of younger cadets.
“Winning the regional competition goes to show that all of the time and work that we’ve put into developing ourselves and others has really paid off, and for that I am extremely proud of our team,” said Ebell, who has been in the Army Reserves for nearly four years.
Ebell, a Tucson native and UA senior, is a general studies major studying science, technology, health and society with a military science minor. She will enter active duty when she is commissioned in May.
“Even though these competitions are only a glimpse of a day in the life of a real selection process, it has provided me with an insight and appreciation for those who have completed physically demanding schools,” Ebell said, adding that the rigorous training and competition has encouraged her to consider future work in the Army Airborne or Army Ranger training programs.
The voluntary, self-funded team generally trains for up to two hours on weekdays, beginning at 5 a.m., and sometimes trains over the weekend. Training consists of weight training and five- to 10-kilometer ruck marches carrying between 30 and 50 pounds. The team also practices land navigation, radio operation, response to physical threats and various weapons exercises.
“Our cadre has shown incredible support to the team and the whole battalion,” said Daralyn McLaughlin, a criminal justice and public health major also studying military science and leadership.
“I can think of countless times when they have given their time to us to ensure we are prepared for events,” said McLaughlin, who is enlisted in the Army Reserves. “They have pulled strings to get us the best training and resources and have always found a way to make things work. We owe a large portion of our development to our cadre.”
In recent years, the team has trained with two Army Special Forces cadre, Haskins and Master Sgt. Monti Leija.
“Overall, Ranger Challenge is very physically and mentally demanding — it’s pretty much a 24/7 job,” said Cadet Capt. Nickolas Ball, a UA senior and Wildcat Battalion assistant S-3.
The group also raises funds by supporting other organizations. For example, it partners with the UA GymCats to prepare and dismantle the main floor for the team’s meets during the spring term. The group also assists judges during meets.
“We are constantly meeting up to discuss future plans, looking out for the well-being of our cadets and ensuring our training not only prepares them for the competition but also for the intended purpose of Army ROTC, which is to produce great future officers for the U.S. Army,” Ball said.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to serve. I love the culture, the people and experiences the Army has to offer,” said Ball, who comes from a military family. His father and grandfather each served more than 20 years in the Army.
Ebell said she is drawn to military service because it requires “a distinct personality and mentality to be a soldier and cadet that creates a motivation and drive.” She said it’s unlike any other profession.
“ROTC has allowed me to meet some amazing mentors, both cadre as well as fellow cadets,” she said. “They are inspirational and downright motivating, and have played a huge role in developing my confidence, drive and professional character.”
In preparing for nationals, Ebell said she takes pride in the strong representation by women.
“It is really something incredible to see this happen alongside the growing and more diverse Army as a whole,” she said.
By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Relations