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Show 4 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 27, 2016 WSU ROTC runs gauntlet in Ranger Challenge By DOUG MANIFOLD S&T Reporter Weber State University is home to the Wildcat Battalion, an ROTC unit with a history of service reaching back to 1971, including one former cadet, Brian M. Thacker, who is a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam era. One year ago, the WSU ROTC was selected to organize, manage and support the 10th Annual Task Force White Mountain 5th Brigade ‘Ranger Challenge’ in Utah. “Ranger Challenge takes ROTC cadets and transforms them physically and mentally to be the leaders of tomorrow,” Sergeant Josh Curtis, a WSU ROTC coach said. ROTC cadets and cadre from three states and ten universities came together on Oct. 14 and 15, at Camp Williams, Utah, to compete in a series of exercises designed to test their military skills. Each school was responsible for designing, setting-up and managing a portion of the exercises. Following the completion of the 2015 Ranger Challenge, and at the request of the Wildcats’ Professor of Military Science LTC Jason Nierman, responsibility for the 2016 Ranger Challenge was assigned to WSU. Nierman says that he wanted WSU to host the event in 2016, and he selected Captain Stephen Feehan of the Wildcats Battalion to design the 2016 Challenge and make the plans and arrangements to carry out a successful program. “One of the greatest achieve- ments in any competition is completing your goals,” Feehan said. “During the 2016 Ranger Challenge Competition, the team from Weber State University made a plan, executed that plan to the best of their abilities, and came out ahead of what they set for themselves.” On the afternoon of Oct. 14, cadet teams arrived at Camp Williams and checked into their barracks. The opening event was held that afternoon and consisted of a rigorous physical training series of sit-ups and push-ups, supervised by WSU Cadre. The next morning the group of 176 cadets and 40 cadres were up and out at 3 a.m. for the beginning of a full-day of military exercises, beginning with a 6.2 mile road march and land navigation exercise with full equipment, including a 35-pound rucksack. Along the way, each team was required to demonstrate their land navigation skills by collecting assigned items along the route. Each team also rotated through eight additional military maneuvers, displaying their skills. The Leadership Reaction Course involved solving a series of challenges that each team was required to negotiate within a set time. The team that completed all five obstacles within the shortest time was considered the winner of this event. Teams were required to assemble and negotiate a one-rope bridge to simulate crossing a river or similar obstacle. All members of the team had to navigate the DOUG MANIFOLD | The Signpost Weber State ROTC Cadets on patrol. bridge along with their gear and equipment. Teams were also required to demonstrate weapons knowledge and combat marksmanship skills on the Combat Marksmanship range with an M4 rifle and a M9 handgun. In preparation for shooting on the range, each cadet was required to perform a physical training event to raise their heart rates to simulate combat circumstances. Teams also competed against the clock to clear, disassemble, reassemble and perform functions checks on both the M4 and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. They also raced to demonstrate proficiency in maintaining a combat radio. The goal was to complete all tasks in the minimum time. “I did Ranger Challenge to better my military skills and push my physical fitness to the limit,” WSU Cadet Jake Nalder said. WSU Cadet Estella Rodriguez said that her favorite part of the challenge was being able to complete alongside her team. “In the end, you’re not doing it by yourself. It’s all about the people next to you,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said she would encourage people to participate in the challenge to learn skills like discipline, hard work and how to work on a team. The ultimate victory in this competition was knowing that WSU Ranger Challenge team did their best,” Second Lieutenant and WSU Gold Bar Recruiter Chelsey Kellum said. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 6, 2016 Home of the Wildcats is riddled with wild cats By EMILEE ATKINSON S&T Correspondent Most students are aware that the Weber State University campus plays host to animals — the geese in the crosswalks, the deer who venture onto the grounds at night — but there is another elusive animal that calls WSU home. Students may catch a glimpse of them when walking near the Engineering Technology building or stadium. They’re Weber’s very own wild cats. No, not the beloved Waldo, but a group of community cats that have called WSU their home for years. “They’re not called ‘feral cats’ anymore because it has a negative connotation. These cats aren’t dangerous. They’re more scared,” Susan Foss, secretary at the ET building and one of the caretakers of the cats, said. Foss began noticing cats on campus near the building where she worked about six years ago and found out they had already been on campus for about 20 years. Currently, there is a feeding station and small shelters for the cats to sleep in next to the ET building. According to Foss, however, Fa- EMILY CROOKS | The Signpost A campus “wildcat” hides between brush and the engineering building in Summer 2016. cilities Management wanted to relocate the cats because of the heavy foot traffic in the area. “They’re afraid the cats will jump out at students,” Foss said. “But really, (the cats) are afraid of students.” An attempt was made to relocate the cats near Wildcat Village a year ago, but they wandered back to where they were were initially. Facilities management has since shifted focus to a large group of cats that live near the stadium who have been reproducing rapidly and using parts of the track, field and bleachers as a litter box. “I began feeding them and trapping them at the end of August,” Foss said. “I was able to get nine of them spayed or neutered.” Foss was able to acquire free vouchers from Best Friends Animal Society and took the cats to the ERZ Animal Hospital for the procedures. “Best Friends will give out vouchers to anyone who requests them,” Foss said. Best Friends has also sent Lisa Larsen to conduct a mass trapping of the cats and take them to get spayed and neutered. Larsen is Weber County’s Community Cat Coordinator. The main goal is to keep the cats from being euthanized, attempting to live up to Best Friends’ slogan: “Save them all.” According to the ASPCA, many communities control cat populations using outdated ineffective methods including lethal elimination or relocation. According to ASPA’s website, trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the only proven humane and effective method to manage community cats. “We don’t have to euthanize anymore,” Larsen said. “There’s so many other options.” The majority of the cats will be returned to campus, but according to Larsen, if there are any kittens that can be adopted, they’ll be taken to a shelter. Community cats, like those at WSU, are good for pest control and don’t cause much of a nuisance. “They’re very beneficial when it comes to pest control, but people just like seeing them,” Larsen said. “It’s kind of uplifting.” While spaying and neutering the cats is an ongoing process, the next step is to get the cats away from the bleachers and field. “I established a food area up in the hills above the stadium,” Foss said. The hope is that the cats will be encouraged to live there, instead of around the stadium. Along with a feeding area, there are shelters set up above the stadium. Foss hopes to get more materials for more houses and volunteers to help feed the cats near the ET building and the stadium. “We’re asking that volunteers take a week to help feed and water the cats, especially during the winter.” Foss said. “Their water freezes very quickly.” Foss said that volunteers can help by donating food, money to buy food or just their time to help make sure the cats are fed. Students interested in helping can contact Foss in the ET building, room 236. There are also flyers around campus with contact information. 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