New Mexico Military Institute

NMMI Army ROTC Ranger Challenge

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The NMMI Army ROTC program is a rigorous, challenging program that accepts only the most dedicated into its ranks to answer the call of becoming an Army Officer. On 9/10 October 2009, there were 14 Garry Owen Squadron Cadets that accepted and met the “Ranger Challenge” held at White Sands Missile Range.

The competition was held between five regional universities: the University of New Mexico, Texas Tech University, New Mexico State University, University of Texas El Paso and New Mexico Military Institute. The events of the competition (which occur over 1 ½ days) are the Army Physical Fitness Test, Night and Day Land Navigation Course, 10K (6.2 Miles) Ruck March with 35 lbs rucksacks, First Aid Obstacle Course, disassembly and reassembly of the Army M4 rifle, a grenade assault course and a written exam on Patrolling, Land Navigation and First Aid. Of the 14 cadets who participated, 13 are MS3’s and 1 MS4 who was the team captain. New Mexico Military Institute competed in the co-ed and an all male team divisions representing the Garry Owen Squadron. This is the first time in five years NMMI participated in this grueling competition. The two teams were the Black (male) team made up of Cadets Eli Ramirez (Team CPT) Ryan Murrell, Marc Kruithoff , Kirk Noaker , Wayne Nolte, Robert Schneden, Keith Ray. The Gold Team (co-ed) team’s members were cadets John Warren (NCOIC) Chris Dominey, James Dunn, Quinn Kielhorn, Marilyn Nurse, Megan Webb, and Christian Park. In the individual events these teams showed great strength receiving one 2nd place finish and four 3rd place finishes; proving to be very competitive against their 4 year university competitors. The co-ed team place 4th overall and the male team 5th overall in their respective categories.

Both teams trained hard together for 7 weeks prior to the competition. Each cadet pushed themselves and their teammates to their limits and displayed a high level of motivation.

These cadets and future Army Officers exemplified the quote found in the Ranger Creed, “Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and mentally straight and will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One hundred percent and then some.”

Each one of the NMMI Army ROTC cadets met the challenge and learned something about themselves and their teammates. They learned how far they can push themselves and what they can achieve individually and as a team. They learned the importance of helping their buddies and that the hardest loads are easier to bear when they have each other to lean on. These cadets proved themselves to be elite, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Each one lived up to the Ranger Motto “Rangers Lead the Way!” through their actions and showed that they can achieve the Garry Owen Motto, “Live the Legend!”