ROTC cadets fly to weekend training exercise

By Ashley Luthans

Cadets from the Pony Express Battalion of the ROTC were picked up at Missouri Western State University by helicopters on Friday morning to travel to a weekendlong Field Training Exercise.

The cadets boarded two Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters to Camp Clark in Nevada, Missouri, in order to complete the three-day training camp.

Cadet Ivy Armstrong explained what the Field Training Exercise, also known as FTX, will consist of.

“Riffle qualifications, an obstacle course … and then we’re also gonna be doing day and night land nav, and then a four-mile ruck march and then an award ceremony to cherry-on-top the end of our whole FTX,” Armstrong said.

Cadet Gabrielle Russell shared the importance of ROTC cadets attending FTX, stressing the significance of preparation.

“At the very end of the day, we’re trying to be prepared for any type of conflict that might come our way or that we might have to, you know, jump in for and as future officers, we have to be prepared for that,” Russell said.

Armstrong added that FTX is beneficial in helping cadets gain experience.

“Getting hands-on experience before anything actually serious is in our hands, so a very nice introduction into everything,” Armstrong said.

The Pony Express Battalion consists of five schools: Missouri Western State University, Benedictine College, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Rockhurst University and Park University.

To learn more about the Pony Express Battalion, visit missouriwestern.edu/rotc.