RAIDER TEAM OPERATIONS

SY25-26 RAIDER TEAM CONCEPT 

1.  BOTTOM LINE:  IN SY25-26, RAIDER TEAM OPERATIONS. 

     A.  THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE TEAM - MIXED...UNLESS WE HAVE SUFFICIENT #S OF CADETS TO FORM AN ALL-MALE OR ALL-FEMALE TEAM AS WELL!

     B.  WE NEED A MINIMUM OF 14 CADETS - 10 MALES AND 4 FEMALES. WE WILL CARRY UP TO 25 CADETS ON THE TEAM.

     C.  THE MIXED TEAM  WILL NOW COMPETE WITH A TOTAL OF 10 CADETS PER EVENT. A MINIMUM OF FOUR (4) FEMALE CADETS MUST PARTICIPATE IN EACH EVENT.

     D.  THERE WILL NOT BE "CUTS". HOWEVER, WE'LL USE THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE "TOP 12" :

          (1)  CRITICAL:  1-MILE RUN TIME. THE FASTEST 9 MALE AND 3 FEMALE CADETS WILL HAVE PRIORITY FOR ACCEPTANCE ONTO THE TEAM.

          (2)  CRITICAL:  ABILITY TO PROPERLY TIE A SWISS SEAT. DURING TESTING, YOU WILL HAVE THREE CHANCES TO TIE A SWISS SEAT. YOU MUST TIE THE SWISS SEAT PROPERLY 2 OUT OF 3 TIMES.

          (3)  NON-CRITICAL:  ABILITY TO TIE BOWLINE AND WIREMANS KNOT. YOU WILL HAVE THREE CHANCES TO TIE EACH KNOT. YOU MUST TIE EACH KNOT PROPERLY 2 OUT OF 3 TIMES. (NOTE: IF YOU CAN DO THIS,. IT IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR SELECTION.)

     E. IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN A SPRING SPORT, YOU WILL HAVE TO "WORK OUT A DEAL" (TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND RAIDER PRACTICE ONCE EACH WEEK, ON 1-ROPE BRIDGE TRAINING DAY) WITH YOUR COACH BY MARCH 1ST, 2025...OR NOT BE ON RAIDERS.

     F. WE WILL NOT HAVE A  FALL TRAINING SCHEDULE. WE WILL HAVE MORE  FREQUENT WINTER RAIDER TRAINING SESSIONS (STARTING IN LATE JANUARY)  - WHICH WILL NOT CONFLICT WITH AIR RIFLE TEAM, DRILL TEAM OR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT MEETINGS/PRACTICES!

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2. RAIDERS IS A VARSITY SPORT, BUT IT'S ALSO PART OF JROTC - BALANCE BETWEEN "DESIRE TO WIN" AND "CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT /LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING".

   - REQUIRES COMMITMENT TO THE TEAM

   - REQUIRES SACRIFICE, AND CADETS DECIDING WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE

   - REQUIRES COMMITMENT TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS THAN YOU MAY BE USED TO, OR MAY HAVE EVER ACHIEVED

   - IS A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS IF YOU PLAN ON BEING ON RAIDERS FOR MULTIPLE SEASONS

   - WE WILL ALWAYS PUT THE BEST TEAM POSSIBLE ON THE FIELD, FROM THE RANKS OF THE CADET MEMBERS OF THE TEAM

   - RAIDERS IS GRITTY, FULL OF HARD-CHARGING CADETS WHO ARE VERY COMPETITIVE, WHO WANT TO WIN (WE HAVE A REPUTATION OF DOMINANCE!)

   - IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE TEAM, YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE "SWEAT EQUITY"...MEANING, COME TO PRACTICE AND PT TESTS, BUT ALSO AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WORK OUT HARD ON YOUR OWN!

   - IF INVOLVED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES, IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL CADET'S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ON YOUR OWN! 

    - WE WILL TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT - EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM

   - WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT CADETS WILL HAVE VARYING LEVELS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS WHEN THEY FIRST JOIN THE TEAM, BUT ALL CADETS MUST MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL LEVEL OF FITNESS, FOR THE TEAM!

    - WE MUST PUSH EACH OTHER - VERY VERY HARD - BUT IN A POSITIVE WAY

  - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE RAIDER CADETS BERATING EACH OTHER OR THE TEAM.  

FOR SY25-26 RAIDERS...OUR TEAM GOAL IS TO WIN 2ND OR 1ST PLACE IN SOUTH JERSEY OVERALL. THIS WILL ALLOW US THE CHANCE TO COMPETE IN THE RAIDER NATIONALS COMPETITION AT FORT KNOX, KY IN LARE OCTOBER 2026! OUR MAIN COMPETITORS IN SOUTH JERSEY LEAGUE ARE:  LENAPE, PEMBERTON AND CENTRAL REGIONAL IN THAT ORDER.

THIS WILL REQUIRE A SUSTAINED PERSONAL EFFORT AND INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO PHYSICAL FITNESS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER, FALL, AND EARLY WINTER LEADING UP TO THE OFFICIAL START OF SY25-26 SPRING RAIDER TRAINING SEASON STARTING IN LATE JAN/EARLY FEB 2026.

IN SEP-OCT 2025,  WE WILL EXECUTE A MODIFIED ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST.   AFTER THAT....

    - DEPENDING ON JROTC INSTRUCTOR'S SCHEDULES, WE WILL PRACTICE 1X WEEKLY ON MONDAYS.

    - THE "SWEAT EQUITY" HERE IS IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME/YOUR DEDICATION TO INCREASING YOUR LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS OVER THE FALL AND INTO THE WINTER. WHEN WE TRAIN IN THE WINTER (LATE JAN--MAR 26) 2X WEEKLY, WE WILL FOCUS ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CORE SKILLS (SWISS SEAT TYING, KNOTS, WATER JUG CARRYING TECHNIQUES, BARREL LIFT TEAMWORK) AND ON PHYSICAL FITNESS. IT WILL BE VERY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING.  

    - AS WE LEARNED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, ULTIMATELY, YOUR STANDING ON THE TEAM WILL LIKELY BE DECIDED BY YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS - MEANING, YOU RUN LONG, AND YOU RUN FAST. 

BOTH SFC(R) SCHEARER AND I ASK THAT EACH RAIDER TEAM MEMBER SHOW THIS MESSAGE TO THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS, SO THEY MAY ALSO REVIEW THIS CONCEPT/POLICY.

THIS IS HOW THE RAIDER TEAM WILL OPERATE GOING FORWARD. AS THE SAI, I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE TO IT. YOU, AS THE RAIDER TEAM, WILL HOLD THE CAPTAINS, SFC(R) SCHEARER AND I - AS YOUR LEADERS - ACCOUNTABLE TO IT.

BE READY TO TRAIN OUTSIDE, EVEN IN THE RAIN! BRING WATER TO EVERY PRACTICE! EAT RIGHT, GET ADEQUATE REST! KEEP YOUR ACADEMICS UP!

PART 1 - 3KM TEAM RUN.

1.  General Scenario:

      a. 8-member teams will run as a team for 3 KILOMETERS (roughly 1.8 miles) AS PART OF A ROUND-ROBIN EVENT ROTATION on an improved surface road route. No equipment of any kind is utilized or carried by the team—this is a straight cross-country team run. The road maintains low-speed limited traffic and therefore, Cadets MUST run to the far right of the roadway at all times. Cadets may not weave across the road even when no traffic is present.

     b. The team will maintain a 1.5 kilometer (roughly .9miles) turn-around point where all team members. TEAMS WILL BE AMASSED AND COUNTED before they are given a marker that identifies the entire team as having reached the half-way point. ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST mass at the turn-around point TOGETHER before they can be given a marker. At that point, the entire team may complete the event. The time will stop when the last team member crosses the finish line.

     c. All runners will wear the ACU uniform – team members may ground their ACU top and patrol cap for this run. Running shoes are required footgear for the team run. (NOTE: Shoes and shirts MUST be worn at ALL TIMES during the Team Run).

2.  Specific Details. Each team MUST cross the finish line with the first and last team member within a 10-yard zone with all other raiders in-between. The zone will be clearly marked. Teams failing to finish with all team members within this 10-yard zone will receive a 5-minute penalty.

3.  Penalties. A 5-minute penalty will be assessed for any individual failing to successfully complete the event, having less than 8 members and cross the finish line. 

PART 2 - ONE ROPE BRIDGE.

Specific Details:

   a. No loops, bights and or pre-tied knots will be allowed on the rope.  The judge will assist in back coiling the rope inside a backpack, duffle bag, or ruck sack for the teams prior to

starting the event. Swiss seats will be pre-tied in order to save time. Swiss/Waist seats will not be graded, only inspected for safety (if an unsafe knot is found during cursory inspection, it must be corrected prior to start of course)

   b. Swiss/Waist seats will be provided by the Site Committee. Swiss seats will be tied prior to reporting to the exact rope bridge site. All participants will wear a rappel seat (swiss seat). The first and last team members can wear sling ropes properly tied around the waist (minimum two wraps around the waist secured with square knot and tied off with an overhand knot on each side of the square knot.

   c. Upon arrival at the Start Point, the team will have their rope laid out on the ground. After the rope is in position and laid out on the ground, NO ONE may touch the rope until time is started. There cannot be any knots of any kind pre-tied in the rope prior to the start of the event. This will cause the team to be disqualified if the team is found to have pre-tied knots. On the command GO, the clock will start and the team will run to the near side anchor point, and immediately build a 1-rope bridge. Team will then cross the river as outlined.  Time will continue to run until:

      (1)    The entire team and all equipment is out of the water, across the river and on the far bank (to include the rope!)

      (2)    All knots are out of the rope.

      (3)  The team has announced, “TIME!”

  d. The team with fastest time to include any penalty points added will be the winner.

  e. The only knots allowed on the near side anchor point will be the following:

      (1)    Wireman’s Knot.

      (2)    Figure 8 Slip Knot. (bolen)

      (3)  Butterfly

  f. The only knots allowed on the far side anchor point will be the following:

      (1)   Round Turn with TWO Half Hitches

      (2)  Tension Anchor (A minimum of FOUR wraps on anchor)

  g. Quick release for the second half hitch is recommended on both sides.

  h. End of the line bowline or figure 8 is used to attach the rope to the first person to cross the gorge and must be attached to the seat or waist rope with a snap link or bowline and/or figure 8 over the shoulder.

  i. A rope bridge that fails will not be counted or scored and will disqualify that team from that segment of the event. Judges will notify the team immediately to end their effort and avoid injury.

  j. There is no limit on the number of snap links used in the transport knot.

  k. All team members that cross the rope bridge must be hooked onto the rope and pull themselves across the obstacle. One foot and one hand must be kept in contact with rope at all times when crossing. If the members cross their feet over the top of the rope without touching the rope, it is acceptable. One leg can drag on the rope, or both legs can drag on the rope while crossing. All team members that cross the rope bridge must be hooked onto the rope with carabineer and pull themselves across the obstacle using a rappel seat method. Progress is made rotating under the rope and pulling with the hands and arms. There is NO PENALTY if feet fall below the rope while crossing). 

 NOTE: Cadets who have crossed to far shore MAY assist other Cadets in dismounting from the rope. Cadets who have crossed to far shore MAY ALSO grab the arm, rope, LBE/LBV, etc. of the Cadet on the rope to help them. HOWEVER, if a Cadet steps over the far shore boundary line (aka “line of death”), THERE IS A 30-SECOND PENALTY.  See FM 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering, chapter 7, fig 7-17. 

NOTE: If the legs spread apart over the top of the rope, a one (1) minute penalty will be accessed.

3. Penalties (30 seconds each, unless noted): 

       a. Wireman’s knot not removed from main rope

     b. Mounting/hanging (gate open/closed) on bridge before second hitch is tied. 

     c. Cadet stepping over near shore and/or far shore limit (stepping onto obstacle).

     d.  Running across the obstacle (except #1 and #8 men) (2 minute penalty)

     e.  Legs spread apart over top of the rope while crossing the rope.

     f.  Calling “time” before all knots are out of the main rope (team elects to take penalty instead of untying the knot. (1 minute penalty)

     g.  Individual can not cross / refuses to cross the obstacle on the rope (2 minute penalty).

NOTE:  ONLY TWO (2) RAIDERS MAY BE SNAPPED ONTO THE BRIDGE ROPE AT ONE TIME. In other words, one Cadet may be on the far shore side unsnapping, one Cadet midway the rope, and one Cadet holding onto the rope, prepared to mount onto the rope and snap in with carabineers/D-links gates open.  Please ensure this is practiced at during on-campus training, as there is a 1-minute deduction for EVERY violation on the scoresheet.

PART 3 - CROSS-COUNTRY RESCUE

1. GENERAL SCENARIO:

    a. Your team is rescuing a casualty. This is a grueling 1-mile cross country route over rough, wooded terrain. At the start of the event, the team will have to treat a casualty for suspected leg fracture (TASK: SPLINT A FRACTURE). Currently, an 8’ wall is maintained at the end of the race, along with an expansive area where a low-crawl will be required.

    b. At the waiting area, a team will be given a stretcher with a pre-tied container weighing approximately 75-pounds to simulate the casualty, and six (6) rucksacks filled with sand weighing 25lbs. each. The team will carry the litter and the equipment to the start line where the team will state they are ready. The grader will then command, “Get Set…GO!” The GO command will start the clock. 

    c. At that point, the team will follow the 1-mile route WHICH WILL BE OVER slightly rolling terrain along sand/improved dirt roads.  There are no plans to have water obstacles to negotiate along the course. HOWEVER, mother nature may change that depending on the weather-be prepared!

    d. At the finish line, all Cadets must get over a high wall before time is stopped. THE LITTER WILL NOT BE TAKEN OVER THE WALL- only the rucks due to safety concerns. Time will stop when all Cadets AND rucksacks cross over the wall and touch the ground. Rucks must be carried/handed over the wall. RUCKS MAY NOT BE THROWN OVER THE WALL. ONCE OVER THE WALL, RUCKS MUST BE CARRIED – ALONG WITH THE STRETCHER – ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH LINE.

2. Uniform: ACU Patrol Cap, ACU/BDU pants, riggers belt, tan t-shirt and boots. Caps and jackets are not required to be WORN during the rescue, but they MUST be carried if not worn. 

3. Specific Details.

      a. EQUIPMENT WILL NOT BE DRAGGED OR THROWN (except during low-crawl where the items may be dragged only). THE RUCKSACKS WILL NOT BE CARRIED ON OR ATTACHED TO THE LITTER IN ANY MANNER. VIOLATORS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

     b. Each team, consisting of eight (8) Cadets, may organize themselves in any manner to carry the litter and equipment. Equipment and litter can be exchanged along the route during the movement phase. You can have two, three, or four people carrying the litter. Distribution of equipment and number of raiders on the litter is up to the team. REMINDER: ALL MIXED TEAMS MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO FEMALE CADETS PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF THE TEAM FOR THIS EVENT.

     c. The wall must be attempted a minimum of THREE TIMES before a Cadet or team can choose to simply bypass the wall. Failure to do this is disqualification. After three attempts, a TEAM MAY ELECT and take the penalty and bypass the wall (10 minutes for an entire TEAM / 5 minutes per INDIVIDUAL). However, after three attempts, the meet organizers can MANDATE a team or Cadet bypass the wall if they feel he/she is a danger to themselves or others going over the wall, or if the competition at the wall becomes so congested his/her continued attempts will hinder other teams ability to get over the wall or make the competition too dangerous.

     d. Once a Cadet raider crosses the finish line, that Cadet raider cannot go back and help other team members or pickup any remaining equipment—their event is completed at that point. Violation of this rule will be a 30-Second Penalty PER OCCURANCE. Team can place equipment near the finish line but not over the finish line before crossing it and may return to help other team members. However, once any team member crosses the finish line, they cannot go back onto the course.

PART 4 - THE GAUNTLET

1. General Scenario.

      a. Raider Gauntlet is a one (1) mile event over gently rolling terrain and sand/improved dirt roads. The course goes out to the ½ way point (1/2 mile each way) and then return to the start line. The team will be carrying four (4)rucksacks (each filled with sand, 25 pounds each) while navigating through a rope pull up and obstacles (vaults or revines).

     b. The time will stop when the last person completes the final obstacles and crosses the finish line with all equipment.

     c. The team will maintain a half-way turn-around point where all team members MUST BE AMASSED TOGETHER AND COUNTED before they will be given a marker that identifies the entire team as having reached the half-way point. ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST mass at the turn-around point TOGETHER before they can be given a marker. At that point, the entire team may complete the event.

    d. Uniform: ACU Patrol cap, ACU/BDU UNIFORM, riggers belt, and boots. ACU GORETEX Jackets are optional. Dress for weather conditions. BRING EXTRA UNIFORMS IF YOU HAVE THEM —YOU MAY GET WET AND MUDDY!

    e. Reminder – all MIXED TEAMS must have at least TWO (2) females Cadets participate in this event. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the team for this event.

 2. Specific Details. All teams should be aware that Obstacles (vaults OR TIRE CRAWL) will be on the course.  Cadets may provide assistance to one another on any and all obstacles.

 3. Penalties.

      a. 5-minute penalty will be assessed for any individual failing to successfully complete the event and cross the finish line.

    b. 5-minute penalty for any rucksack failing to successfully be carried through the event and cross the finish line.

    c. 5-minute penalty for having less than eight (8) competitors start the event.

    d. Cursing/ Unsportsmanlike Conduct (1 minute each)

    e. Ruck sacks not successfully carried through the event and crossing the finish line (5 min each)

PART 5 - RAIDER PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

I. TASK: To measure the Cadet's physical ability strength, balance. stamina. strategy and endurance of a team. 

2. CONDITION: During daylight under safe weather conditions wearing the team uniform. The team completes 520yds or just under .3mile length route including FIVE event stations utilizing teamwork and technique! 

3. STANDARD: Team members will navigate the RPC area as a team in less than 10 min. Team consistency for this event is EIGHT (8) Cadets. No alternate or swapping is authorized once the test has begun. MIXED TEAM HAVE AT LEAST TWO FEMALE CADETS PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.

4. UNIFORM: This test will be conducted in ACU pants. ACU Blouse (not required), boots. An alternate t-shirt may be worn, BUT only if the entire teeam has an approved team logo t-shirt and ALL Cadet Members are wearing the team shirt 

5. SCORING: 

     a. Score Cadets using the fastest Raider team for their gender. 

     b. Complete the SEVEN stations and put all items used back in their approximate starting positions. 

     c. Team placement will be determined by highest team RPC score. 

6. SCRIPT for NCOIC: Let me have your attention. At this site your team wi ll be tested in strength. balance. stamina. strategy and endurance of your team over a distance of 520yds or .3mile using a variety of physical obstacles. To complcte this event well. Cadets must use teamwork and technique! Your will have 10 minutes 10 complete this event. after the 10 minutes have expired your team wi ll be removed from the evenl and a 101301 time of 10 minutes and any other additional penalties will be posted as your team total time. 

On the command GO. the clock wi ll start. The time will continue to run until: 

I. All equipment is returned to its original location and the entire team have crossed the finish line. 

2. The team CAPTAIN has announced. ""TIME!"