1830: Brothers C/PO2 Jaden Kim and C/LCDR Hayden Kim climb to the top of the rope wall. Once at the top they had to climb and make their way back down to the bottom before the rest of their teammates could start their climb.  Courtesy/NJROTC

1870: C/SA Abigail Sena flips a 176 pound tire. Cadets were tasked with flipping the tire three times each before moving on to the next obstacle. Courtesy/NJROTC

1818: Teams had to carry a log with two tires, a bucket and 24 bottles of water, while also carrying a large rock on a 3.5 mile march. Cadets pictured from left to right are C/LT Natalie Crawford, C/SA Isabel Brazfield, C/ENS Maya Snowden, C/SA Abigail Sena, and C/SCPO Owen Oviedo. Courtesy/NJROTC

By C/ENS MELANIE WEEKLEY
Public Affairs Officer
Los Alamos NJROTC

On Oct. 26, Los Alamos NJROTC competed in the “Extreme Raider Challenge” at Los Lunas High School. This was the first Raider competition that the unit has competed in in many years.

“This was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done that I would totally do again,” said C/ENS Will Borovina, male physical fitness team captain.

JROTC Raider Teams are made up of cadets interested in participating in a challenging, demanding program where a high degree of personal fitness and endurance is required, similar to Spartan challenges or Tough Mudder. It is based on the US Army RANGER Challenge program and is modified to be geared for the JROTC units.

A typical Raider Team is 9 cadets. Topper Company’s Raider teams competed in an obstacle course, academic exam, knot tying and 3 and a half mile march with more than 30 pounds of equipment, among other physical events.

With the male team placing third among a field of 10 schools competing, it was a very exciting and eye opening experience for all involved.

“This was the most difficult challenge I’ve ever done,” said C/LT Natalie Crawford, female physical fitness team captain, “but it was also the most rewarding experience. Our group of individuals came together to get through it and came out the other side as a united team.”

Coming home with a trophy along with quite a few aches and pains, Topper Company’s Raider Teams will be competing again in January at El Dorado High School in Albuquerque and again in April in Los Lunas. 

The teams are intent on making this the start of a new tradition of excellence for Los Alamos NJROTC!