LEXINGTON, Va. Nov. 20, 2025 — For the second year in a row, the Virginia Military Institute Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team won the bronze medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol (ECP), the British Army’s premier patrolling event held Oct. 3-12 in the Brecon Beacons, a mountain range in Wales in the United Kingdom (UK). Last year was the team’s first year to compete, and the first ROTC unit from the United States to participate.

Ranger Challenge is the “varsity sport” of the Army ROTC program, and is made up of eight cadets who tried out for the team last spring. Members include team captain James Aldinger ’26, Owen Brunk ’26, Gavin Hudson ’26, Jackson Karam ’26, Colin Russell ’26, Bradford Seery ’26, Raymond Moffett ’27, and David Townsend ’27. The team was coached by Sgt. 1^st Class Robert Bain, military science instructor; Capt. Tyler Brians, assistant professor of military science; Capt. Pauline Johnson, assistant professor of military science and officer in charge of Ranger Challenge; and Capt. Christopher Lopez, military science instructor.

ECP is a continuous, 48-hour long-range international military patrol exercise across rough terrain. It originated in 1959 when a group of Welsh Territorial Army (now Army Reserve) soldiers designed a weekend training event which included long distance marching and a shooting competition.

ECP is both mentally and physically demanding, and considered to be one of the most difficult and esteemed of military competitions. Participants carry 80-pound rucks, get limited sleep, and have minimal food. It is open to regular military, reserve military, and ROTC units. Units outside the U.K. must first qualify by winning a similar competition in their home country. This year, over 125 teams from more than 30 countries competed at ECP.

VMI faculty member, Maj. Alex Paul, assistant professor in the Department of History, knows first-hand the challenging conditions in Brecon from his time serving in the British Army. As a young infantry soldier, he spent several weeks training there. Prior to the VMI team leaving for Wales, Paul met with them to help prepare them for what they could expect. He emphasized how quickly conditions in the area could turn dangerous.

“The rain doesn’t just fall, it comes sideways. The cold, the wet, and the wind together are unforgiving. You have to look after yourself and your kit, but more importantly, you have to look after each other.” Paul’s message to the cadets was clear, “Preparation and vigilance matter, but resilience and camaraderie are what see soldiers through the toughest conditions. Hot drinks, dry socks, and humor will get you through more than you realize.” Learning of the teams’ success at ECP, Paul shared he is very proud of them.

According to Brians, Cambrian Patrol is an extremely challenging training event that even active duty Army teams would be hard-pressed to perform well.

“Many of the tactics and skills that teams are assessed on during the event require specialized training. For VMI’s team to arrive at the exercise with only one month of training and earn bronze is truly exceptional. As a coach, I’m extremely proud of the team and respect their grit to remain focused on the mission even during adverse conditions. Most countries only send their best soldiers, and our ROTC team outperformed many of them.”

Hudson, a psychology major from Locust, North Carolina, stated the event was grueling, but he was thankful for the opportunity to participate.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to compete with. I have nothing but respect for this team. We all had to lean on each other and use our different skill sets to get the job done. Completing the Cambrian Patrol is an accomplishment in itself, and to be able to earn a medal with these guys is something special.”

Seery, an international studies major from Chesapeake, Virginia, also competed in Wales last year. He agreed with Hudson that their accomplishment was very much a team effort.

“Each of the eight members of the team did their part and pulled their own weight to help make this year another success. Without the help from all our coaches, and the support from the administration, our success would not have happened.”

Tryouts for next year’s Ranger Challenge team will be held in the spring.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE