Embry‑Riddle ROTC Team Wins Spot at International Military Skills Contest for Third Consecutive Year

For the third consecutive year, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Army ROTC cadets have earned a chance to compete at the international Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, which will be held May 2-3 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

The ERAU-Gold team was awarded a spot at Sandhurst after placing second in the 6th Brigade Army ROTC Ranger Challenge held Jan. 24-25 at Fort Moore, Georgia. The regional challenge, which included 41 teams from 39 schools across the southeastern United States, tested participants’ endurance, skill and teamwork, with the top two teams earning the opportunity to compete at Sandhurst. The ERAU-Blue team finished fifth place out of 41 teams.

“With the ERAU-Gold team securing their spot at Sandhurst, it now turns its focus to preparing for the international stage, where they will compete against the best military teams from around the world and hope to improve their top 25% finish from last year,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Avery, team coach and senior Military Science instructor. “Meanwhile, the ERAU-Blue team’s strong showing this year establishes a solid foundation for future success in years to come.”

Embry‑Riddle Army ROTC’s ERAU-Blue team finished fifth out of 41 teams in the 6th Brigade Army ROTC Ranger Challenge, held Jan. 24-25 at Fort Moore, Georgia. (Photo: Embry‑Riddle Army ROTC / Cadet Cassidy Burns)

The grueling two-day Ranger Challenge event featured demanding physical events, including marching with 25-pound rucksacks, a hand grenade assault course, an obstacle course and tactical casualty care.

“This year’s Ranger Challenge competition truly pushed our teams to their limits,” said Lt. Col. Jerome Reitano, professor of Military Science with the Daytona Beach Campus’ Army ROTC program. “The hard work, preparation and determination from both ERAU-Gold and ERAU-Blue paid off in remarkable ways. We’re incredibly proud of both teams.”

Embry‑Riddle cadets finished 12th out of 48 teams at the 2024 Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition, which included more than 15 miles of rucking and 14 events challenging cadets on various skills. The Eagle Battalion team, which consisted of 11 cadets, also secured fourth place out of 16 Army ROTC units from around the country after completing the grueling, two-day competition against teams from across the globe.