Embry-Riddle ROTC Team Finishes Strong in Sandhurst Military Skills Competition

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Army ROTC Cadet Ranger Challenge Team finished 21st out of 48 teams in the annual Sandhurst Military Skills competition, held April 28-29 at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.

The Eagle Battalion’s team, which consisted of 11 cadets, also placed 9th out of the 17 ROTC teams competing. The grueling, two-day competition featured 14 teams from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy Prep School Team, 17 Army ROTC units, two sister service academies and 14 international teams from across the globe.

Cadet Ellie Knudson completed the duck walk while carrying a 45-pound plate. (Photo: Cadet Oliva Haven and Cadet Shelby Piet)

“The experience we had will be remembered forever, and I’m grateful to have known each person on this team,” said Eagle Battalion Team Captain Sullivan Wood.

Eagle team members included: Wood; Chris Rerig; Michael Kempany; James Allinder; Will Busey; TJ Johnson; Laina Tallman-Bogusta; Ellie Knudson; Shane McCutcheon; Teddy Race; and Henry Peters.

“Our team has great chemistry, so we were able to use everyone’s strengths effectively,” said Kempany.

The Embry-Riddle team competed in eight different events on the first day of the competition, including an eight-mile ruck through the campus of the U.S. Military Academy, and finished the first day in 28th place.

The next morning, the team continued the competition, completing a slippery obstacle course and a series of shooting events. Team members finished the competition with the Crucible event, which they completed in less than eight minutes.

The Embry-Riddle team has the potential to compete at an even higher level next year, said Lt. Col. Jerome Reitano, professor of Military Science.

“The team's success at Sandhurst is a testament to their hard work, dedication and exceptional military skills,” he said. “They trained tirelessly for a whole year to prepare for this competition, and their efforts paid off.”

The Sandhurst Military Skills competition is not only a chance for students to showcase their military skills, said Reitano, but also an opportunity for them to learn from other top military programs around the world.

“Embry-Riddle’s participation in this prestigious event further cements the school's reputation as a top-tier institution for military training and education,” he said.

Melanie Azam contributed to this report.