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Each semester, cadets take
the knowledge they've gained in the classroom lectures and labs and
apply them in larger scaled real life training scenarios during training
exercises such as the SITUATIONAL TRAINING EXERCISE (STX) or the FIELD
TRAINING EXERCISE (FTX). The STX is a one day exercise during
which cadets hone their land navigation skills using only a compass,
map, protractor, and pencil to find their way from point to point on a
course the size of several square miles over various terrain features.
They may also rehearse emergency first aid procedures, and radio
communications.
The FTX is typically a two
or three day exercise in which the Cardinal Battalion departs Ball State
University for one weekend and heads to Camp Atterbury, Indiana or Fort
Knox, Kentucky. During the FTX, cadets learn how to operate as a
military unit in the field. Again, cadets will continue to refine
their land navigation skills during the day before attempting to conduct
land navigation skills at night. You will sleep in the field
unless severe weather arises, in which case we will receive billets in
real military barracks. Throughout the night, cadets take turns
conducting "Fire Guard" duties. Fire Guards are responsible for
guarding over the troops throughout the night and ensuring their safety.
Throughout the FTX, cadets
are again put through situational training exercises in which they may
find themselves leading a squad or platoon in a variety of missions
ranging from reconnaissance patrols to hostage rescue, or even through a
series of obstacles that require team work in order to succeed.
During the FTX, the situational training exercises begins to stray from
the previous exercises in that they begin to challenge cadets to think
on their feet as real life scenarios and variables not defined in
field manuals are introduced. Additionally, cadets may receive the
chance to become qualified to use an M-16A2 rifle on a live-fire range.
Staff Rides are conducted
once a year. Staff Rides are a historical analysis of battles that
are briefed by the senior class in a series of presentations.
These presentations may be conducted in the classroom utilizing Power
Point or on location.
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The Ranger Challenge
Competition, held annually at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, is a
comprehensive competition that includes a roadmarch, the Army Physical
Fitness Test (APFT), Basic Rifle Marksmanship, land navigation, rope
bridge construction, and knowledge of small unit tactics based on
standard Army Doctrine. Check out the pictures of this year's
Ranger Challenge team in action in the Photos page (Click on the Photos
link at the left side of the page.).
The Ranger Challenge team
competes against other ROTC programs from schools within our region which
include Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Central
Michigan University, University of Michigan, Indiana University, Indiana
University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Notre Dame University, and the
University of Dayton.
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The Leadership Development
and Assessment Course (LDAC), also known as Warrior Forge, is the
pinnacle of the ROTC program. Cadets spend approximately one month during the summer between their junior and senior years at Fort
Lewis, Washington testing the skills they've developed in the Reserve
Officer Training Corps to see if they have what it takes to lead
tomorrow's Army as Second Lieutenants.
There are additional
opportunities for cadets to gain some exciting training and experience.
Ball State University's Army ROTC program can send cadets to train in
active duty units around the United States, Germany, Italy, or even
South Korea in a program called Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT).
CTLT provides cadets the opportunity to shadow commissioned officers
within their prospective branch and gain some experience as a platoon
leader in an active duty unit for up to thirty days.
In addition to CTLT, Ball
State sends cadets to train with active duty troops at special
skill-oriented schools such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Army
Scuba School, and Mountain Warfare School. Schools such as these
and CTLT are optional, and open to cadets that are interested in receiving such training
and meet the prerequisites for the course. Click on the links
below to learn more about training available for cadets.
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The
Basic Airborne Course,
located at Fort Benning, GA, is a three week course that
teaches soldiers the skills needed to deploy safely from an
aircraft in flight using a static-line parachute deployment
at low altitudes (approximately 1,250 feet). During
the final week, students make five airborne jumps from a
C-130. Click on
the coveted airborne wings at left to learn about
prerequisites and more details about Airborne training.
(Click
here to see a video of airborne training.) |
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Air Assault School is primarily located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Air Assault School is a ten day course that covers aeromedical operations, pathfinder operations, sling-load
operations, and rappelling from a helicopter such as a UH-60
Blackhawk. |
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Mountain Warfare School is a two-week course taught
by the Vermont National Guard at Ethan Allen Firing Range in
Jericho, Vermont. Both a summer and a winter phase are
offered in addition to an assault climbers course. The
training is designed to make you an expert in mountain
operations. Mountain Warfare School is both physically and
mentally demanding. Training is non-stop, 15 hours per day,
for 14 days (each course). If you can carry a 65-pound
rucksack up to five miles per day in mountainous terrain and
are competent with both day and night land navigation you
may have what it takes to complete this intense training.
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For more information, contact
1LT Dean Yoder or
SSG Ryan Crist at 1(800) 552-7721
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