Activities
Student Involvement
The ROTC Battalion offers outdoor events and trains leaders during RAPPELLING, CAMPING TRIPS, OBSTACLE COURSE, GRENADE ASSAULT, LAND NAVIGATION, and MARKSMANSHIP instruction. Cadets RAPPEL down a 60 foot tower using a climbing rope and snap link. CAMPING TRIPS are conducted each semester. Basic MARKSMANSHIP and safety related training helps cadets gain confidence and valuable safety instruction.
Cadets get a chance to test their survival skills and basic combat techniques during PAINTBALL. This is a popular sport which provides a great environment for team building, problem solving and other leadership developing tasks.
The transformation from ROTC detachments to cadet battalions is more than a cosmetic change. Each battalion now has the opportunity to forge its own traditions. To solidify this unit cohesion, the Vaqueros Battalion conducts a dining-in annually. At the dining-in, the cadre, cadets, alumni, and guests, recount the history and traditions of the battalion and celebrate its unity.
A select number of cadets represent the University and Nation at numerous sporting and municipal events.
A select number of cadets represent the University and Nation at numerous sporting and municipal events.
This is ROTC's Varsity sport, it pits six highly motivated cadets against 22 other University's from Oklahoma, New Mexico and the great state of Texas. Selected cadets participate in seven grueling events which include an Army Physical Fitness Test, Patrolling, Weapons disassembly and assembly, Grenade Assault Course, Land Navigation and the never ending 10K road march with full field gear. Only a select few will be worthy of this challenge. WILL YOU BE ONE?
The Bataan Memorial Death March honors a special group of World War II heroes. These brave soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines.
The conditions they encountered and the aftermath of the battle were unique. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. They fought with outdated equipment and virtually no air power.
On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air Corps, Navy and Marines. Among those seized were members of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard.
They were marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner of war camp. Others were wounded or killed when unmarked enemy ships transporting prisoners of war to Japan were sunk by U.S. air and naval forces.