Purdue’s Army ROTC program, part of the Division of Military Science and Technology within Purdue Polytechnic, recently conducted an intensive Field Training Exercise (FTX) at nearby Martell Forest.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Purdue Police Department, Fire Department, the Office of Risk Management, the Office of Legal Counsel, the Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue’s Airfield (LAF), and Recreation and Wellness. Points-of-contact among ROTC leadership included Captain Sam DiRienzo, the ROTC operations officer, and Lieutenant Colonel Kevin White, professor of military science.
The exercise introduced cadets to real-world military transport and field training conditions, including an airlift from Purdue’s Black and Gold Intramural Fields to Martell Forest via helicopter.
The training began with preparatory exercises on October 24, during which cadets received safety briefings and practical instruction on approaching, loading, and unloading from military aircraft. On Friday, October 25, helicopters from the Indiana Army National Guard arrived to transport cadets to the forest, simulating a realistic troop movement scenario.
Over the weekend, cadets completed a variety of training exercises, including day and night land navigation, squad tactical exercises (STX), and a ruck march in which cadets trained walking with significant weight on the backs.
All such activities are designed to build leadership, tactical skills, and physical endurance as cadets prepare for assessments that occur in their junior year.
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