Embry-Riddle Army ROTC Wins Brigade Championship, Secures Fourth Consecutive Trip to Sandhurst

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team earned its fourth consecutive trip to the international Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, which will be held May 1-2 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Of the 274 Army ROTC programs across the country, only 16 earn the opportunity to compete at Sandhurst each year, said Lt. Col. Jerome Reitano, professor of Military Science at Embry‑Riddle.

The Eagle Battalion earned its spot at Sandhurst after competing against 42 other teams from across the southeastern region at the 6th Brigade Army ROTC Ranger Challenge, held Jan. 23-24 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

“Embry-Riddle has now qualified four consecutive years and five of the past six — a level of sustained excellence achieved by only a handful of programs nationwide,” Reitano said.

The Ranger Challenge competition tests cadets on events that mirror the complexity of modern military operations, including land navigation, marksmanship, tactical lanes, medical scenarios and physical fitness assessments.

The Eagle Battalion was the overall champion at the Fort Benning event, demonstrating tactical proficiency, physical endurance and disciplined leadership across every evaluated event, Reitano said.

The 11-member Eagle Battalion team was made up of multiple freshmen and sophomores, making it one of the most junior teams the battalion has fielded in years.

“Despite the strength of the competition, Embry-Riddle led from the front, outperforming programs with larger cadet populations and longstanding military traditions,” he said. “The performance underscores not only immediate excellence but also sustained competitive potential for the future.”

Head Coach Capt. Kyle Butler credited the team’s preparation and cohesion for the historic win.

“Our cadets — especially our freshmen and sophomores — stepped into demanding leadership and performance roles and delivered,” said Butler. “Winning the brigade outright reflects months of disciplined preparation and a culture committed to excellence.”