United States Army Junior Rotc Instructor Group

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

UNITED STATES ARMY JUNIOR ROTC INSTRUCTOR GROUP

SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOLS

803 SOUTH 13TH STREET

ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI 64501

ATOW-J-SJSD-HQ August 29, 2008

MEMORANDUM FOR SAIs, AIs and Raider Challenge Commanders

Subject: 3rd Annual Pony Express “Raider Challenge”,

1. Purpose. The purpose of this letter is to publish the events, guidance and sequence of events for the 3rd Annual Pony Express Raider Challenge hosted by the Saint Joseph JROTC Pony Express Brigade. This event will be held on Saturday the 25th of April 2009 at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. The 6 events included in the Pony Express Raider Challenge will be:

a. Army Physical fitness test (Encl # 1)

b. One-Rope Bridge (Encl # 2)

c. Biathlon (Encl # 3)

d. 10-K Road March (Encl # 4)

e. Raider Challenge Course (Encl # 5). Consists of:

(1) Ball Throw

(2) Board Walk

(3) First Aid

(4) Knot Tying

(5) Map Reading Test

(6) Military Vehicle Pull

(7) Pipe Drills (Bench Press and Sit-ups)

(8) 25ft Rope Climb

f. Surprise Event (No Enclosure - Explained on site)

2. General Information:

a. Sequence of Events.

Subject: 3rd Annual Pony Express “Raider Challenge”, 25 Apr 09

Friday, 24 April 2009

Teams that want to fly the C-130s.

241200APR09 In process and Flight Brief

241300APR First Sortie

241400APR09 Second Sortie

241700APR09 Evening Meal (Cook Out)

Teams that are NOT available to fly and arrive after 1900 hrs on 24 Apr will be inprocessed at 0500 hrs 25 Apr 09.

Saturday, 25 April 2009

250500APR09 Commanders’ Call

250600APR09 Movement to PT field

250615APR09 APFT

250745APR09 Breakfast, Issue meals, Recovery and prep time and move out to events

250900APR09 Begin Events

251500APR09 Closing and award ceremonies

b. Administrative Notes.

(1) Someone will be at the Air National Guard Hanger to register teams between 1100 hrs and 1900 hrs, Fri, 9 May 08 and 0430 hrs, Sat, 25 Apr 09 until just prior to the Commanders’ Call.

(2) Instructors Responsibility. Must bring Covenant Not to Sue, Medical Release Form, and Statement of Health on each cadet participating.

(3) Team Size. Each team will consist of 8 members. Schools may enter up to 2 teams for competition (depending on demand). Teams must start and finish with all 8 members for the entire course. If for some reason someone gets hurt and cannot finish all events, only the events that the full initial team has completed as a team will be counted.

(4) Safety: Safety precautions are required at all times during the competition. Team Advisors are requested to enforce safety rules and use general caution at all times. Please report any accidents and incidents to the Raider Challenge Command Center (RCCC), in case emergency medical assistance is

needed. IAW routine JROTC procedures, schools must submit a "Convent Not to Sue Form", for each of their participating cadets. Central High School, Benton High School, and the Air National Guard will not be held responsible for accidents or injuries. Team advisors MUST bring all release forms, properly completed, and turned into the RCCC prior to the competition. There are NO exceptions to this liability waiver issue.

Subject: 3rd Annual Pony Express “Raider Challenge”, 25 Apr 09

c. Uniform/Equipment:

(1) Instructors. Uniform for this event is complete BDU/ACU uniform with beret and black/brown boots. (Optional)

(2) Raider Challenge Team Members.

(a) Uniform for this event is complete BDU/ACU uniform with cap and black/brown boots.

(b) Pistol belt w/ 1 quart canteen and cover.

(3) Chaperones. Civilian clothes.

(4) Raider Team Equipment.

(a) 1 Each Compass.

(b) 1 Each Rucksack (30 pounds)

(d) 8 ropes for Swiss Seats (carried in the rucksack)

(e) 10 Snap Links (carried in the rucksack)

(f) 8 Pair of Leather Gloves (carried in the rucksack)

(g) First Aid Kit

d. Logistics.

(1) Check-in will be at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. (Strip Map/Instructions to follow).

(2) Cots and showers will be available for teams wishing to arrive the night before. There are separate bays for males and females.

(3) The Missouri Air National Guard will provide breakfast on Sat, 25 Apr 09 as well as pizza and pop after the closing ceremony. The St. Joseph School District JROTC will provide Heater Meals for cadets for the noon meal on Sat, 25 Apr 09. The Heater Meals will be issued during breakfast on Sat, 25 Apr 09.

3. Trophies and Awards.

Overall Team Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

Army Physical Fitness Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

One Rope Bridge Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

Subject: 3rd Annual Pony Express “Raider Challenge”, 25 Apr 09

Biathlon Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

10K Road March Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

Raider Challenge Course Trophy: 1st through 3rd Place

A medal will be awarded to each member on the 1st,, 2nd, and 3rd place overall teams.

A certificate for each cadet on the 1st through 3rd place teams for each event.

All cadets participating will receive a participation certificate.

4. Entry Requirements. A basic Entry Fee per 8 member team will be $100.00. Fees must be paid in full during in processing. Please make checks payable to "CHS JROTC". Entry fee must be submitted with the Registration Form at Enclosure # 6.

5. T-Shirts. Schools wanting to purchase Pony Express Third Annual Raider Challenge T-shirts need to send orders into Benton JROTC NLT 25 Mar 09. They can be e-mailed into Benton at or phone [816] 671-4030. Payment can be made at registration. Checks should be made out to Benton JROTC. Cost of T-shirts is $12.00, sizes above XL, add $1.00. T-shirts will be available for pick-up at registration on 24-25 Apr 09, POC, LTC (Ret) Cleveland & MSG (Ret) Rivera.

6. Our number one priority is safety. We are also committed to have fun and share camaraderie in a safe environment. Anytime we can get JROTC Cadets together is a great training day.

7. POC this memo is:

Technical Questions - MSG (Ret) Jesse Rivera at (816) 671-4030, or email .

Admin Questions – MSG (Ret) Ron Smith at (816) 671-4360, or email .

ORIGINAL SIGNED

Encl: JESSE RIVERA

1-APFT Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired)

2-One Rope Bridge Army Instructor

3-Biathlon

4-10 K Road March

5-Raider Challenge Course

6-Entry Form

7-Statement of Physical Condition

8-Covenant Not to Sue

9-Consent to Medical Treatment

10-Load Manifest (C-130) (Attached as a separate document.)

St. Joseph High Schools Page 1 of 25

29 Aug 08

PONY EXPRESS RAIDER CHALLENGE

EVENT: ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (APFT)

TASK: Each team member will take the APFT. This is a scored event.

CONDITIONS:

1. Uniform:

a. Brown/tan undershirt or team T-Shirt.

b. BDU/ACU Trousers

c. Black cotton web belt with black belt buckle/riggers belt..

d. Running shoes with socks.

2. Scored Tasks:

a. Push Ups

b. Sit Ups

c. 2 Mile Run

3. Scorecards: Will be issued out at registration and will become the responsibility of the team captains.

STANDARDS:

1. Standards will be IAW FM 21-20, Chapter 14. (All scores IAW youngest age group).

2. Males will be scored using the Male Scoring Table.

3. Females will be scored using the Female Scoring Table.

4. Winning teams will be determined by using the highest team’s total averages.

5. In the event one or more teams have the same total average, the highest team average for Push Ups will be used (then Sit Ups, etc).

6. Team trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

Encl # 1

PONY EXPRESS RAIDER CHALLENGE

EVENT: One Rope Bridge

TASK: The team must properly construct a one-rope bridge using the proper knots and equipment. Move all team members and equipment across the bridge and deconstruct the bridge. This is a timed event.

CONDITIONS:

1. The time will start when the command “GO” is given and the time will stop when all team members have crossed the obstacle and all knots on the one-rope bridge have been untied.

2. Equipment: In addition to the assigned uniform (ie, BDU/ACU Cap, BDU/ACUs, Boots, etc), the team must have:

a. 120 foot Rappel Rope

b. 8 sections of rope to construct Swiss Seats

c. 8 pairs of Leather gloves (black or tan)

d. 10 each snap links

e. one each 30 pound rucksack

3. The far-side anchor must have at a minimum two (2) round turns and two (2) half hitches.

4. The near side anchor must have a wire-man’s knot with a metal snap link and have at a minimum two (2) round turns and two (2) half hitches.

5. The first team member and the last team member (last team member is optional) of the team will be required to wear an Aussie Seat. The remaining 6 team members must wear a properly constructed Swiss-seat with snap link. Every member of the Team must cross the obstacle or risk being forfeited in this event.

6. A boundary line will be marked on the ground near the far side anchor and the near side anchor. The area between these 2 marks is considered a restricted area and may not be touched by team members except for the first and last team members.

7. One team member must cross with the 30 pound rucksack.

Encl # 2

STANDARDS:

1. The team constructing a one-rope bridge, moving across the bridge, and removing the bridge in the fastest time, including penalties, will be the winner. Trophies will be presented for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

2. PENALTIES:

a. A thirty (30) second penalty will be added for every knot improperly tied.

b. A thirty (30) second penalty will be added for each member of the team who crosses the obstacle and touches the ground, or any part of their equipment touches the ground.

c. A ten (10) second penalty will be assessed for every piece of equipment that drops while negotiating the obstacle, (i.e., headgear, canteen, etc).

NOTE: Each team will bring its own rope bridge equipment and carry it throughout the course of the challenge. Field Packs are the responsibility of each school.

Encl # 2

PONY EXPRESS RAIDER CHALLENGE

EVENT: BIATHLON

TASK: All team members will line up behind the start/finish line. On the command of “GO”, the clock will start and the first team member runs to the firing line, takes up a good prone position, and fires one pellet (at a distance of 10 meters) or if not certified to shoot, throws one dart (at a distance of approximately 10 feet) at their team target. After firing the pellet/throwing the dart, the first team member will run back to the start/finish line and tag the second team member. The second team member runs to the firing line, fires one pellet/throws one dart and runs to the start/finish line and tags the third team member. This process will continue until all eight team members have fired one pellet, or thrown one dart. The time will stop when the eighth team member crosses the finish line.

CONDITIONS:

1. Uniform: The assigned uniform for the entire event (ie, BDUs, Cap, Pistol Belt with Canteen, etc)

2. Rucksack: May be left at the start/finish line during this event.

3. Sandbags: Each team member will carry a sand bag from the start/finish line to the firing line and bring the sandbag back from the firing line to the start/finish line. Each sandbag will weigh 10 pounds.

4. Air Rifle/Dart: Will be stationary at the firing/throwing line.

5. Loading and Pumping the Air Rifle: The Range Safety Officer/Judge will ensure that the rifle is loaded, pumped, and pointing down range prior to the first team member firing and the Range Safety Officer/Judge will quickly load and pump the rifle between firers. The sights will be centered for both elevation and windage. Raiders shooting the air rifles WILL NOT shoot sighting rounds. Shooters will not use shooting gloves or slings.

6. Weapon Malfunction: The event OIC/NCOIC will ensure that a backup air rifle(s) is on sight (at the Firing Line) in the event of a weapon malfunction. This backup weapon will remain unloaded with a CBI inserted. In the event of a malfunction, the Range Safety Officer/Judge will take the malfunctioned rifle from the team member (keeping the barrel pointed down range), quickly remove the CBI, load and pump the rifle and hand it to the team member keeping the barrel down range. When the team finishes the event, the Range Safety Officer/Judge will inform the Official Scorer of the malfunction and 20 seconds will be deducted from the overall team’s time for each malfunction.

7. Cease/Stop Firing: In the event someone sees an unsafe act or condition and calls a Cease/Stop Firing on the range, the team will start over with a fresh target.

Encl # 3

STANDARDS:

1. Official Team Time: Will be from the command of “GO” until the eighth team member crosses the finish line plus any penalty time added.

2. Scoring of Targets: Will be IAW the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) rules. Each pellet hole will be scored as 0-10 points. There is no set order on bull’s eyes. All twelve bull’s eyes are targets. Maximum score for a team is 80 points. The same basic scoring rules apply to the darts. Darts that hit the target, but don’t stick will be scored as a 0. After each dart thrower throws at the target, the target will be replaced prior to the next person arriving. All air rifle and dart targets will be retained for verification after each team completes the event

3. Penalties:

a. Dropped Equipment (ie, BDU Cap, Canteen, etc): 10 seconds added to the overall time for each item.

b. Forgetting a Sand Bag: 30 seconds added for between the Start/Finish Line and the Firing Line. 30 seconds added for between the Firing Line and Start/Finish Line.

c. Targets: Each point dropped/missed is one second added to the overall time. For example: Max score is 80. If a team’s total score is 60, then 80 minus 60 equals 20. 20 seconds is added to the overall time.