Cadets from the Red Diamond Battalion woke up early Wednesday morning for a breakfast of push-ups, sit-ups, and a two mile run.
The record Army physical fitness test marks the beginning of the end for a long and productive semester for the battalion. It is one of the many culminating events that measures how far the cadets have progressed since the beginning of the semester.
The cadets have accomplished a lot over the past few months. In October, the senior class successfully planned and executed a three day field training event designed to test the freshmen, sophomore, and junior cadets’ ability to operate in adverse conditions.
The good news continued for the battalion when the Temple University Ranger Challenge team took first in the second “Freedom” Brigade’s Ranger Challenge competition. This was a momentous occasion and marks a first in Temple University history.
It secured the team one of eight spots to represent ROTC and the United States Army in the International Sandhurst Military Skills competition being held at the United States Military Academy in April.
In addition, in just two weeks the battalion was able to raise over 1,500 pounds of food for the Preston and Steve Show’s Campout for Hunger food drive. Last Wednesday the cadets loaded the food into their trucks and marched it down all six miles to the stadium complex.
To kickoff the last week of the semester, Temple faced down Drexel ROTC in the annual Frosty Bowl flag football game. Although it came down to a tie, the team showcased the competitive spirit expected of an Army leader.
Cadet Katherine Berry, the outgoing battalion commander, shared what she thought led to this semester’s success.
“So we’re focused more on bringing our cadets up and focusing on helping them develop themselves, as opposed to maybe the past where the military was focused more on smoking and bringing people down,” said Berry.
On Thursday, the Red Diamond Battalion and Temple University University President Richard Englert will recognize the hard work the cadets put into this semester with the annual end of year awards ceremony.
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