DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
UNITED STATES ARMY CADET COMMAND
TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY – CORPUS CHRISTI
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78412-5836
REPLY TO ATTENTION OF
ATCC-LTX-CC
20 JAN 16
LETTER OF INSTRUCTION: US ARMY ROTC ISLANDER CHALLENGE 2016
1. Purpose. To inform local High School, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC
programs about the TAMUCC Army ROTC’s Islander Challenge Invitational Adventure
Competition scheduled for 02 APR 16 and extend the invitation to participate in this
motivational event.
2. General.
a. The goals of the competition are: (A) Expose JROTC Cadets to a University Campus, (B)
encourage friendly non-drill & ceremony competition and increase esprit de corps among
regional programs, and (C) raise awareness of the Islander Battalion Senior ROTC Program at
TAMUCC.
b. The 7th Annual Islander Challenge will incorporate the principles of the Army’s Outcomes
Based Training and Education (OBT&E) in order to emphasize cadet critical thinking skills and
provide and atmosphere conducive to creative problem solving. The competition is comprised of
six events in three phases:
Phase I: Physical Fitness Assessment. The Physical Fitness Assessment is same the fitness
test used by Army ROTC Scholarship applicants. Scorecard with standards located at:
https://www.goarmy.com/content/dam/goarmy/downloaded_assets/pdfs/rotc-scholarshipphysical-fitness-assessment-scorecard-13.pdf For every Push-Up a team member completes in
one minute equals one point on their score sheet (example 10 pushups equals 10 points). For
every Curl-Up a team member completes equals one point. The optimal score for the male one
mile run is 100 points with a time of 4 minutes, 30 seconds. The score system is incremented by
every 6 seconds so that for 90 points the time is set for 5 minutes, 30 seconds and 80 points for 6
minutes, 30 seconds and 70 points for 7 minutes, 30 seconds. The optimal score for the female
one mile run is 100 points with a time of 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The score system is
incremented by every 6 seconds so that for 90 points the time is set for 6 minutes, 30 seconds
and 80 points for 7 minutes, 30 seconds and 70 points for 8 minutes, 30 seconds. Each cadet will
be graded on how many push-ups they can complete within one minute, how many Curl-Ups
they can complete within one minute, and how quickly they can complete a one mile run. If a
team member fails to do an event they will score 0 points for that event. The team score is the
average cumulative score of each team member. In case of a tie, the highest individual total
fitness score will break the tie. There will be a limited period of time for teams to change
uniforms between the Presidential Challenge and the start of Phase II. Choose your uniform
selection wisely. More in paragraph 4 below.
ATCC-LTX-CC
LETTER OF INSTRUCTION: US ARMY ROTC ISLANDER CHALLENGE 2016 Phase II: The following events will be conducted throughout the TAMUCC Main Campus and
the nearby Momentum Campus. Each team will be timed for their completion of each of the
following events. Events may be completed in any order but completion of events will on a first
come, first serve basis. A start time and end will be recorded for each team at each event and will
then be reported to the TOC. Once all teams are finished, the times reported by the OIC’s of each
event will be tabulated. This method will alleviate any backlog or cadets waiting at a specific
station while worrying about total elapsed time. Any team exceeding 5 hours will be disqualified.
(1) Equipment pick-up. Teams will pick up equipment at the location near the Momentum
Campus. All teams will be required to carry one ruck sack, 6 water bottles, two sand bags and
one complete set of Load Bearing Equipment (all equipment provided by TAMUCC). Teams
must complete phase II with all items upon completion. Ruck sacks can be filled with the sand
bags and water bottles which may be consumed during the event. All empty bottles must be in
the ruck sack at the finish line at Bay Hall in vicinity of the closing ceremony.
(2) Orienteering/Land Navigation Course. Conducted on the TAMUCC Momentum
Campus, this event will require each team to locate three points as quickly as possible. Method
of finding points is at the discretion of the team leader. A map, compass, and protractor will be
provided for each team. Teams will be required to find all points without assistance. Teams will
be given a score sheet with their three points listed before beginning the course. Points will be
verified upon completion. Failure to find the correct points will require the team to return the
course to find the correct points. Loss of the score sheet will result in the team being required to
start over with a new score sheet with different points. Water points with shade will be provided
in various locations around the course.
(3) Single Rope Bridge Crossing. All Cadets will traverse a ditch using only a single rope
bridge and will be required to complete the crossing with all required equipment. More than two
persons at one time on the rope bridge will incur a 30 second penalty for each occurrence.
Penalties will be assessed against the team aggregate time for all events. TAMUCC will build
the bridge; provide harnesses, gloves, and other necessary equipment for this event.
(4) HMMWV/Vehicle Push. Each team will push a vehicle a distance of 50 meters,
ensuring the bumper of the vehicle crosses the marker, and then returning to the start point for a
total movement of 100 meters. The entire vehicle must cross the markers for the attempt to be
completed.
(5) Team Obstacle Course. This course is based on time completion. The Team Obstacle
Course will take place on the Islander Beach across from the University on Ocean Drive. This
event will be timed as each team negotiates the various obstacles in their lane. Time ends only
when the last member of a team crosses the finish line. Safety is of the utmost importance. No
once will be authorized to cross Ocean Drive at any point other than the cross walk nearest
Islander Beach. Likewise, all teams will cross using sidewalks and cross walks only as they
approach and depart the Ocean Drive cross walk. Any teams found crossing at a non-authorized
crossing point will be assessed a two minute time penalty for each violation. The cross walk at
the light takes 30 seconds at most.
2
ATCC-LTX-CC
LETTER OF INSTRUCTION: US ARMY ROTC ISLANDER CHALLENGE 2016 3. Team Composition. Each school may enter up to three 6 person co-ed teams. The co-ed team
will be comprised of 4 males and 2 females and one substitution allowed for each gender.
4. Registration. Participating schools can complete an online registration at the following web
link: http://rotc.tamucc.edu/islander_challenge.html. Participating schools will need to complete
an online registration and submit t-shirt sizes for each team member and the 2 substitutes.
Payment may be made by check or by credit card. If paying by check, ensure you click the box
that you are paying by check and follow the instructions on paying by check found on the
website. All participating schools need to complete the online registration as soon as possible,
but no later than 1 MAR 16. We will take the first 25 teams who register and pay. The
registration fee is $125.00 per team. The registration fees cover the cost of the Commander’s
Cup for 1st Place overall, Guidon Streamers for 1st Place in each phase, lunch meals, and t-shirts
for each participant and substitute.
5. Uniform. Uniform for the Islander Challenge is:

T-shirts in school colors

Athletic trousers or shorts

Running shoes

Water source

Optional Items:
o Long pants may be worn on the Orienteering Course in order to prevent or minimize
cuts and scratches while traveling through the brush
o Towel to dry off after final event (cadets will get wet)
NOTE: ACUs and boots are NOT required and the wear of these items is discouraged due to the
fact that these items are unavailable to some JROTC programs. It is imperative that all teams
arrive and compete in similar uniform in order to ensure fairness in the competition.
6. Point of Contact for this LOI is Mr. Raul Ramirez at [email protected] (361) 8255841.
CURTIS L JOHNSON
LTC, LG
Professor of Military Science
3