Monday, March 19, 2012

It's a Game of Inches



By Staff Sgt. Doug Anderson
318th Public Affairs Operation Center

CAMP DODGE, Iowa - “It’s a game of inches,” said Lt. Col. Josh C. Sauls, professor of military science, for the University of North Dakota, during the final event. “A rolled ankle could be the difference between coming in last or first.”

The UND team had won their Task Force challenge five years in a row, but last October lost to the University of Minnesota. However, in December they were chosen as one of two “wild card” teams, second place winners from the region giving them a chance to redeem themselves.

Plus the winning 9-person team will represent the 3rd Brigade in this year’s Sandhurst Competition, April 20-21, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Make sure to follow the UND cadets while they compete at Sandhurst Competition, April 20-21, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. They will compete against other U.S. Army Cadet Command teams, select teams from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School team, and international teams.

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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Sua Sponte



University of North Dakota wins the 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge


CAMP DODGE, Iowa - “It’s a game of inches,” said Lt. Col. Josh C. Sauls, professor of military science, for the University of North Dakota, during the final event. “A rolled ankle could be the difference between coming in last or first.”

The UND team had won their Task Force challenge five years in a row, but last October lost to the University of Minnesota. However, in December they were chosen as one of two “wild card” teams, second place winners from the region giving them a chance to redeem themselves.

Plus the winning 9-person team will represent the 3rd Brigade in this year’s Sandhurst Competition, April 20-21, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

“We had a chip on our shoulders,” admitted Daniel Barbian. “We knew we had to win it to keep tradition.”

The team had been chosen out of the Task Force winners to compete at Sandhurst the last two years and Barbian wanted one last chance before he graduated and headed to Fort Rucker, Ala., in May, he said. However, the team would have to earn it this year.

Col. Dean P. Shultis, commander of the 3rd Reserve Officer Training Corps command at Great Lakes, Ill., decided the brigade would no longer pick a team to represent them, but created the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge to memorialize past cadets and to challenge present and future cadets.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat. Both University of Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill, were killed in Iraq. Each individual competition also was named for the one of the other nine.

“Winning is a habit,” said Shultis, during the opening ceremony March 16. “It takes preparation, commitment, and self-sacrifice. Something all of you have already shown by making here.

And over the three-day challenge that tested them emotionally, mentally, and physically it was something the UND cadets would show in spades.

Andrew Petefish, 22, the team’s captain, said they geared their training towards tasks like the one-rope bridge, firing range, and obstacle course to correct some of the mistakes they made in the Fall.

They also kept moving.

“We tried a huge variety of activities to keep our bodies guessing,” Petefish said.

The team practiced tying knots and flipping tires along with more traditional actives like ruck marches and night patrols as rumors flew around about the two mystery events. One ended up including a tire flip, along with a Humvee pull and an archery competition.

Sauls wasn’t surprised by the upset. The Army Cadet Command assessed 5,642 cadets last year and both the third (Petefish) and twelve (Barbian) cadets are on the UND team.

Almost all of the cadets on the nine-person team are aviators, except Williams who is a nursing student, said Sauls.

Sauls said the Army’s Helicopter Flight Training Program is very popular at UND because it offers students not only the chance to get commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army but earn a commercial FAA helicopter license simultaneously with their bachelor’s degree.

It’s something that as helped their team build a sense of camaraderie and cooperation.

In fact, Barbian left the United States Naval Academy for UND to fulfill his dream of becoming an Apache pilot.

It was a decision his parents Paula and Allan Barbian supported.

“I’m just in awe of them,” said Paula after the force march. “As a family we’ve never taken for granted the security and freedom Soldiers offer us, we’ve never taken it lightly.

“To be given even a small window into the sacrifices they make is incredible.”

The UND cadets weren’t the only winners.

Side-by-side, with arms linked, the five young women from Missouri State University ran across the finish line together to win the Maj. Sid Brookshire Forced March Challenge. It was the end of a three-day challenge that tested them emotionally, mentally, and physically.

“They came to fight and they didn’t let up,” said Lt. Col. Troy S. Wisdom, professor of military science at MSU. “I’m so proud of them.”

There was good reason to be proud; the team won five of the 11 challenges to sweep the first all-female 3rd ROTC Brigade Ranger Challenge.

But it wasn’t just about winning, Wisdom said. It was about teamwork, perseverance, and dedication. The five young women not only gave up their spring break but a lot of other social activities over the last couple months to prepare for the competition, Wisdom added.

“Team work is key,” said Ariel Clabaugh, 20, “You can’t do anything unless you work together.”

It was a lesson the team learned early, before the competition even started, losing a teammate three weeks before the competition.

Clabaugh’s twin, Abby Clabaugh, 20, captain of MSU’s all-female team, said if it weren’t for Wisdom’s encouragement and experience they wouldn’t have started much less finished the challenge.

“No one pushes us as hard as he does,” Clabaugh said. “Now it’s part of history.”

Make sure to follow the UND cadets while they compete at Sandhurst Competition, April 20-21, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. They will compete against other U.S. Army Cadet Command teams, select teams from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School team, and international teams.


Sua Sponte - means of his, her, its or their own accord in Latin.

Families Give that Little Extra Push



CAMP DODGE, Iowa - The families of 3rd ROTC Bde. cadets cheer on their loved ones.

University of North Dakota cadet Chelsey Williams, 19, said having her family her family here really helped motivate her.

"It gives you that extra push," she said after the 2nd Lt. Richard B. Brian Gienau Land Navigation Course at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge. "It makes you want to step it up a little bit."

Perhaps it was that "little bit" farther that helped her team, currently in first place, pull out in front. Her brother, Zack jogged along side her during the 2-mile run Saturday, while her parents have cheered her on.

"She's always trying to break the boys records," said Sandy Williams, her mother. "She's very competitive."

The competition continues today, March 18, with the Maj. Sid Brookshire Force March. Who will win is anyone's guess.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

North Dakota in the LEAD!


CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Cadets from the University of North Dakota race to the finish line moments before the three and a half hour deadline for the 2nd Lt. Richard B. Brian Gienau Land Navigation Course at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge. The North Dakota team is currently in lead.

The cadets had three and a half hours to find up to 40 points worth of the 60 markers on the land navigation course. Points were worth 5 to 25 points depending on the distance from the starting point. 

The course was named for Gienau, an alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa Army ROTC Program, was killed in action on February 27, 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq.


The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill. 


Where did they go, where did they go?



CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Cadets from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities found a marker worth 5 points during the 2nd Lt. Richard B. Brian Gienau Land Navigation Course at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

The cadets had three and a half hours to find up to 40 points worth of the 60 markers on the land navigation course. Point were worth 5 to 25 points depending on the distance from the starting point.

The course was named for Gienau, an alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa Army ROTC Program, was killed in action on February 27, 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill.

Cadets from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities found a marker worth 5 points only moments before the end of the three and a half hour 2nd Lt. Richard B. Brian Gienau Land Navigation challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge. 


All Female Teams a Success



CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Elizabeth Berends, 21, a cadet from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse tried low crawled through the Matthew Nielson Hand Grenade Assault Course Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

Nielson, an alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa Army ROTC Program, was killed June 29, 2011 in Al Badrah, Iraq

“I’m glad they are giving females a chance,” said Nielson, a member of one of the five all-female teams competing simultaneously with the co-ed teams. “I’m excited to be able to come out here and show that we can do the same thing they do and hack it.”

Nelson, whose boyfriend is currently in Afghanistan, said she wished that civilians understood what she and her fellow Soldiers went through to protect their freedoms.

As a nursing student she is happy to honor the Nielson and the other former cadets the challenge is memorializing.

Elizabeth Berends, 21, a cadet from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse throws a hand grenade during the Matthew Nielson Hand Grenade Assault Course Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill. 

Natural Point of Aim



CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Andrew Moore, 20, a cadet from Wheaton College tried his hand at archery during the Capt. Edward D. Iwan and 1st Lt. Benjamin John Hall Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

It was one of the mystery challenges.

“It was kind of a curve ball,” Moore said of the mystery challenge. “But it gave us an opportunity to exude mental agility and react to our surroundings.”

The course was less about making the shot then about gaging cadet leaders ability to think on their feet, said Cadet Trenton Burgess, 23, of the University of Dubuque.

“It’s not necessarily about shooting the bow but more about developing their leadership skills,” said Burgess, who was manning the station. “It’s an opportunity for the team leader to figure out who his Subject Matter Expert and to teach and mentor others.”

Iwan, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was killed November 2004 in Fallujah Iraq while assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill.


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The mystery is revealed!


Cadets from the University of North Dakota pulled a Humvee around a traffic circle during the Lt. Benjamin John Hall Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

It was one of the mystery challenges, which included repelling, a tire toss, and a Humvee pull.

Hall, a graduate of Michigan Technological University, was killed July 31, 2007 in the Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan while assigned to D Co., 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment from Vicenza, Italy.

To keep up with your cadet team follow us on these social media sites:



BlackHawkBde - Twitter
Two cadets from the University of North Dakota negotiate flipping an industrial size tire during the Lt. Benjamin John Hall Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill. 

Location of the pick-up site: Camp Dodge, Iowa



CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Oluwaseun Adedeji, 20, a cadets from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities provides security while his teammates call in a nine line MEDEVAC request during the Capt. Shane Mahaffee Medical Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge. 

Adedeji, who emigrated from Nigeria in 2002, said the challenge has offered excellent opportunities for the cadets to think on their feet and taught them to plan for the unexpected. 


“I love the Army,” said Adedeji, a member of the Minnesota National Guard, who plans to become on Infantry officer once he graduates. “This is my calling, I believe.”

The medical challenge was named for Mahaffee, an alumni of the Southwest Missouri State Army ROTC Program, died May 5, 2006 in Al Hillah, Iraq when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive. Three other members of his team were killed in the attack. They were attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. 



He is survived by his spouse, Jennifer, and children, Adelia and Ethan, of Gurnee, IL.


9 Line MEDEVAC Request


Cadets from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities execute a causality evacuation during the Capt. Shane Mahaffee Medical Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill.

2nd Lt. James Michael Goins One-Rope Bridge Challenge



CAMP DODGE, IowaTruman State University cadet Tyler Woods, 20, pulled himself across a small creek during 2nd Lt. James Michael Goins One-Rope Bridge Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

“That was a challenge,” Woods declared after the challenge was finished. The Truman team was penalized for their equipment touching the ground, improperly tied knots, and not giving proper directions.

Regardless, Wood said he is confident in his team’s ability.

“We did the best we could with what we were given,” Wood said. “That’s all we can do.”

The one-rope bridge challenge was named for Goins, who was killed August 15, 2004 in Najaf, Iraq. Goins, the ROTC Wildcat Battalion company commander, competed in four Kansas State University Ranger Challenges. His team won first place in the one-rope bridge during his last year.

He is survived by his wife, Paula; his parents, Jim and Tammy Goins; and two sisters, Mandy and Sarah.

Truman State University cadet Mariah Cook, 20, pulled himself across a small creek during 2nd Lt. James Michael Goins One-Rope Bridge Challenge at Camp Dodge, Iowa, March 17 during the first 3rd ROTC Brigade Gaspers-Cahill Ranger Challenge.

The challenge was named for two of the brigade’s 11 alumni who died in combat, Nebraska graduates, 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers and Capt. Joel E. Cahill.