Spring Field Training Exercise (FTX), March 2021

MSG Camarillo and SFC Moore of Colorado State University review and instruct two Cadets on cover fire. Photo courtesy of Cadet Garret Beck.

Spring FTX was held at the U.S. Air Force Academy – March 26-28, 2021

The Army ROTC Cadets with the Golden Buffalo Battalion gather twice a year to participate in a mandatory Field Training Exercise (FTX). Each semi-annual event is held during the spring and fall semesters. Cadets from the entire battalion attend a three-day event that takes all participants through rigorous maneuvers and basic skill tests that are required by the U.S. Army. 

The Spring 2021 FTX was held Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28 at Jack’s Valley Training Area on the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Cadets were transported down to Jack’s Valley via a Chinook helicopter flown by the Colorado Army National Guard stationed at Buckley Air Force Base. 

Cadets spent the entire three days running through various drills, rifle marksmanship and tactical field operations. They gave and took orders, functioned as an individual soldier or worked together as a unit and continually strategized how to complete each task. Over this weekend, they literally lived the life of a regular U.S. Army soldier by eating, sleeping and breathing all army all the time. Regardless of the field conditions or the ever-changing weather, the Cadets endured this exercise successfully. Congratulations to each of you on all of your hard work and dedication.