Six-man Challenge Atlas Rucks staff to depart Texas A&M College’s campus early Dec. 11 for hike via the Colorado mountains.
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Dec. 9, 2024 — Six members of Texas A&M College’s Corps of Cadets will take part in a 1,000-mile, 10-day ruck march throughout Colorado this month.
The ruck march, a fundraiser for the Particular Operations Warrior Basis, started as a service initiative often known as Challenge Atlas Rucks in 2017 by members of the Corps’ Firm H-1.
Following the Corps’ consolidation of Firm H-1 on the conclusion of the 2021-2022 college 12 months, Challenge Atlas didn’t happen within the fall 2022 semester. The efforts have been revitalized within the fall of 2023 when eight cadets from Firm P-2, a number of of whom have been former members of Firm H-1, revived the efforts.
The time period “ruck march” is in reference to the rucksack carried by the cadets that holds their clothes, meals and water.
This 12 months’s staff is a gaggle of 5 seniors and one sophomore cadet: Nico Barerra of Sugar Land; Zack Hampton of Austin; Max Hulen of Charleston, South Carolina; Christian Lange of Austin; Zach Lehmann of Keller; and Matthew Reckleben of Tucson, Arizona. 4 of the staff’s members participated in final 12 months’s ruck, which exceeded the mission’s $15,000 fundraising aim by almost $500.
“It’s such an amazing alternative to participate in an occasion like this and to do what we will to present again to the heroes who sacrificed a lot for our freedom and their households. It’s actually a blessing to proceed this custom that was began years in the past,” mentioned Lehmann, Challenge Atlas’ co-lead.
This 12 months’s journey will start early Dec. 11, when the staff will drive from Texas A&M’ to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “We wished to pick out an space that may problem us with excessive elevation and chilly climate in the course of the ruck. Our route will cross via a number of landmarks, together with Camp Hale nationwide monument in addition to the cities of Vail and Leadville,” Lehmann mentioned.
The staff has a aim to lift $15,000 for the SOWF over the course of the journey.
“These cadets have selflessly elected to spend the primary a part of their winter breaks serving a really worthy trigger. They’re exemplifying the Core Values and management improvement that the Corps expertise is rooted in. We’re pleased with this 12 months’s group for holding such a particular custom going and we hope they know that your entire Corps is supporting them alongside their means,” mentioned Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets.
The staff is scheduled to finish its 10-day ruck march on Dec. 22 in Buena Vista, Colorado.
Up to now, Challenge Atlas has raised a cumulative $89,436 for the SOWF, which advantages kids of army particular operators who’ve died or been injured whereas serving our nation. The inspiration ensures that these kids have entry to complete instructional assist, from major to post-secondary college.
“This ruck is critical to the Particular Operations Warrior Basis as a result of most of the fallen Particular Operations personnel whose kids we assist have been A&M graduates. This ruck occasion honors their sacrifice, whereas serving to fund the training of their kids,” mentioned Sean Joseph Corrigan, government vice chairman of the SOWF.
“The dedication, sacrifice, and energy that goes into the Challenge Atlas Ruck march align with what drives Particular Operations Forces (SOF). The occasion honors those that made the last word sacrifice and pays tribute to the households who misplaced their SOF Operator. Texas A&M ought to take nice satisfaction in those that take part on this occasion. It’s uniquely Aggie,” continued Corrigan mentioned.
A hyperlink to present to the Challenge Atlas marketing campaign will be accessed right here.
Common updates about this 12 months’s Challenge Atlas Ruck march can be posted on the @aggiecorps Instagram, Fb and Twitter, and @projectatlasrucks on Instagram and Fb.
By Robin Nelson, Texas A&M College Corps of Cadets
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