ROTC Offers Many Opportunities to Excel
In Army ROTC, it's not all classroom and field training. There are many opportunities
for you to get to know your fellow cadets better and increase your skills in a variety
of areas. Learn more about these events and activities below.
Ranger Challenge
The Ranger Challenge is an opportunity for schools to "compete" with each other
completing military tasks. In addition to a written examination where Cadets
test their Army knowledge, there are physical fitness drills and field exercises.
Battalions leave a Ranger Challenge with stronger bonds and sharper skills.
Pershing Rifles
The National Society of Pershing Rifles gives Army ROTC Cadets the opportunity
to develop to the highest degree possible. Cadets can take part in precision
trick rifle drill teams that provide them with the outstanding traits of
leadership, military bearing and discipline.
Physical Training
Physical fitness is important to the Army. Cadets at the University of
Maine participate in physical training to promote a healthy lifestyle and
prepare them for becoming an Army officer. Freshman and sophomore cadets
are encouraged to attend physical training. Junior and senior cadets must
attend the training. Cadets are tested monthly to determine their fitness
level using the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Leadership Laboratories and Field Training Exercises
Leadership labs are taught monthly on a Saturday. Cadets can focus on
their academic studies during the week and this allows cadets from outer lying
schools to attend easier. One Field Training Exercise (FTX) occurs each
semester. These labs and FTX’s are an opportunity for cadets to practice
the skills they are learning about in their ROTC classes. FTX’s are
between 24-96 hours in duration and occur during a weekend. Freshman and
sophomore cadets are welcome to attend; but are not required. Attendance
is mandatory for junior and senior cadets.
Ranger Challenge Team
Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of Cadet Command in which all ROTC
units in the United States compete each year against other universities in
highly visible events requiring mastery of technical, tactical, and leadership
skills. Squads of nine cadets are judged on teamwork, stamina, and proficiency
in such soldier skills as marksmanship, orienteering, weapons assembly, hand
grenade throw, Army Physical Fitness Test, and the ten-kilometer rucksack
march. All events are conducted over a two-day period. Any cadet may try out
for the Ranger Challenge Team. The University of Maine Army ROTC Ranger
Challenge Team is student-led and cadre supervised, and stresses physical
fitness and survival training. Activities consist of weekend camping trips,
backpacking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, cold weather survival, and
other rigorous outdoor activities.
Leadership Development and Assessment Course
Every Army ROTC Cadet who enters into the Advanced Course (junior and senior
years) attends the Leader Development and Assessment Course. It's a four-week
summer course to evaluate and train all Army ROTC Cadets. This course normally
takes place between your junior and senior years of college, and is conducted
at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Color Guard
The Black Bear Color Guard consists of a select group of Cadets who are
given the honor of displaying and posting the colors of this great country. The
Cadet Color Sergeant will coordinate this group of sharp, highly-trained, and
motivated Cadets to participate in University and local ceremonies where they
will display and post the colors. This distinguished group will learn the
proper customs and courtesies associated with displaying, posting, and honoring
the US flag. It will also be given the opportunity to represent Army ROTC
within the community.
20th Maine Honor Society
The 20th Maine, the Military Honor Society of the First Maine Cadet
Battalion, provides its membership with professional development through a
program of seminars, research projects, and guest speakers on national defense
subjects. The Society further seeks to aid the University and the community
through cooperative assistance and community action projects. Membership
consists of sophomore, junior, and senior cadets who have demonstrated
outstanding leadership, high moral character, scholarship (both in Military
Science and in other disciplines), and service to the ROTC program and the
University.
National Honor Society of Scabbard & Blade
Scabbard and Blade is an Honor Society comprised of members of Army, Navy,
and Air Force Cadets who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities. Current
members of the Society select candidates for membership. The Professors of
Military Science of the three services then approve the candidates selected.
Activities of the Society are both service and socially oriented.
Annual Army ROTC Military Ball
Once a year, the annual competitive drill was held at the Military
Ball (first held in 1887) for entertainment of couples attending. The
Military Ball was one of the major social events on campus. Because of the hall
size, the number of people attending was limited to 200. A queen and court were
selected, and designated as Honorary Colonel and Lieutenant Colonels,
respectively. The completed construction of the Memorial Gymnasium brought a
new era for the Military Ball. The 1933 Ball was called "the event of the
Season. " The Black Bear Battalion holds an annual Military Ball
during the spring semester. Attendance is mandatory for contracted cadets.
Various civilian dignitaries and members of the University community are
normally in attendance. The Scabbard and Blade Society sponsors the Military
Ball.
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