October 23, 2002
Contact: Maj. Debbie Allen (509-963-3582/fax 509-963-3588/e-mail: allend@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University’s Army ROTC
will host the annual Ranger Challenge as part of CWU Homecoming
activities this weekend on the Ellensburg campus. Central teams, in
the coed and male divisions, will take on ROTC units from Eastern
Washington University, Pacific Lutheran University and Seattle
University.
The Fourth Region ROTC, headquartered at Fort Lewis, sponsors
the yearly competition as a way to develop teamwork and leadership
skills. Challenge events include:
- physical training, comprised of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes
of sit-ups and a two-mile run;
- one-rope bridge, where teams construct and traverse a bridge over a
stream;
- hand grenade throwing; land navigation orienteering; and,
- a 10-kilometer run, the signature event, scheduled for Saturday at
11:30 a.m.
“The 10K run will be a ‘downed pilot’ rescue scenario this
year,” Maj. Debbie Allen, CWU assistant professor of military science
and the event coordinator, says. “Competitors will run five kilometers
in military uniform with field packs and mock rifles to a ‘rescue’
site, where they will pick up the wounded pilot -- in this case a
weighted duffel bag -- and run back carrying their victim on a poleless
stretcher. The winning team will have the honor of bringing in the
game ball to Saturday’s football game.”
The run was planned specifically to help recognize the
dedication and bravery of Army Special Forces Capt. Randy Schliep. In
1999, Schliep and his unit were assigned to conduct combat search and
rescue operations in the Balkans. His team entered the hostile
territory of Serbia on two separate missions rescuing U.S. Air Force
pilots.
Schliep, from Grandview, a 1992 university alumnus, will
receive the Alumni Association’s 2002 Special Achievement Award. It’s
presented annually to a CWU graduate of 20 years or less who has
demonstrated outstanding achievement in his or her professional field.
In addition, he will receive the Association’s “Legends and Heroes”
medallion.
Last year, for the second time in three years, CWU Army ROTC
cadets won the annual “Ranger Challenge.”
CWU teams came out on top in the coed and male divisions, with the
male squad also claiming the overall trophy during the two-day event.
“The Central detachment has proven itself to be among the
best in the Pacific Northwest,” Allen notes.
