Utah State ROTC loses to rival team by one point
Utah detachments of Air Force ROTC from Utah State, BYU, and the University of Utah competed Saturday in the Nelson Fieldhouse for the sixth annual tri-detachment competition.
Each detachment brought their best, brightest and bluest to compete in detachment-wide and personal events.
“The skills are related to wearing the uniform as well as individual and team strengths, both mentally and physically,” said Lt. Col. Rob Herndon. “These cadets will be officers for the Air Force, have to be very well-rounded; academic, athletic, on the ball with uniform and show utmost professionalism.”
Rules were clearly defined, and no exceptions were made.
“This is a chance to show what we are made of,” said Wing Commander John Fleshman, who leads the detachment at Utah State. “USU is historically strong compared to the nation, so winning this competition would be a feather in the quiver for us.”
Detachments participated in team sports, uniform inspection, marching formation, personal fitness and a knowledge bowl. The winner of each event received three points, with single points also awarded for the “Warrior Games”.
BYU took first place, scoring just one more point than Utah State.
“We could have tied if we would have won one of the warrior games,” said Cadet Cameron Baker, “because we won the most events. But in the games, we got owned.”
Utah State was awarded first place for the uniform inspection, flight-drill evaluation – marching in formation — and the knowledge bowl.
Points were deducted during the uniform inspection for missing details or failure to comply with dress standards.
The “Warrior Games” included teams from each detachment for a tournament of ultimate Frisbee and dodgeball. Utah State was unable to win enough individual games to get the three points for first place.
The 16 knowledge bowl questions were taken from the field training manual and could have included an array of topics from Air Force organization and history questions as well procedural questions.
The individual physical portion included sit-up and push-ups, and a two-mile team relay run. Single points were given for individuals, and the university detachment with the most winners was awarded three points.
“These cadets impress me every day; it’s fun to watch,” Herndon said. “We have been pushing our guys, but we always end up second to BYU by a sliver. These officers will be serving together in the Air Force after school, so it is not as big of a deal as long as we are having fun. It was still a blast, and it’s okay to come in second when they compete this hard.”
BYU has an ROTC nearly double that of Utah State and the University of Utah. Because of their numbers, Herndon said they have an advantage because they can have specialized cadets who are strong in one particular aspect and do not have to compete in any other event. USU has approximately 93 cadets and Utah, 90, while BYU has 200 cadets, Herndon said.
Herndon will not be at Utah State for next year’s competition, but will still have indirect contact with Utah State in his new assignment. He has participated with the university and this competition for the past three years. Baker and Fleshman will both commission as officers in the Air Force in May.
– m.p.dahl@aggiemail.usu.edu