KU to host annual Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Army ROTC Cadets will be among 324 cadets from across the United States testing the limits of their physical and mental strength this Saturday.

Two-person teams from 35 colleges and universities in 12 states will compete at the 23rd annual University of Kansas Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition on April 8 at Rim Rock Farm, 2276 Burnett Lane, home of the Kansas Jayhawk cross country teams. Cadets hail from as far as North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. This spectator event is free and open to the public.

Male, female and co-ed teams participate in a series of challenges requiring physical skills, individual movement techniques, first aid tasks, weapons tasks, knowledge of knots, military reporting formats and more as they vie for the title of Best Ranger Buddy Team. KU ROTC seeks to defend last year’s first-place finish in the male division and improve on its second-place co-ed finish. The school with the best overall finish in all divisions wins the “Top Battalion” award.

Competition is continuous and begins with a 15-kilometer buddy team ruck march at 6 a.m. for the male division and 9:45 a.m. for the female/co-ed divisions, followed by basic skill tasks and a final 5-kilometer buddy run.

The event timeline is as follows:

5:45 a.m.: First Formation/Opening Address
6 a.m.: Buddy Team 15 km forced ruck march (Male)

9:45 a.m.: Buddy Team 15 km forced ruck march (Female/Co-ed)
4 p.m.: Closing/Awards Ceremony

For more information, visit the KU Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition website or contact Joe Midgley at 785-864-1113 or joemidgley@ku.edu.