“You have to lead men in war by bringing them along to endure and display qualities of fortitude that are beyond the average man’s though of what he should be expected to do. You have to inspire them when they are hungry and exhausted and desperately uncomfortable and in great danger. Only a man of positive characteristics of leadership and with the physical stamina that goes with it can function under those conditions.” – SLA Marshall
“In all operations, a moment arrives when brave decisions have to be made if an enterprise is to be carried through.” – Sir Roger Keys
Most young men and women, to include ROTC Cadets, don’t have a full grasp as to what they are truly capable of, usually because they have never been tested to their limits. One common experience amongst all long-time Army veterans is that they have a deeper understanding of just what they can accomplish under difficult or unusual circumstances, usually only because they have had multiple opportunities throughout their career to be pushed to and beyond their perceived limitations.
The Hymers Challenge Competition was established in the spring of 2008 with the generous support of LTC(R) Charles Hymers. This voluntary individual competition, open to all freshmen, sophomore, and junior Cadets in the Wolfpack Battalion, is designed to present each participant with a variety of grueling and stressful situations which will test endurance, basic military skills, motivation, and decision-making. The only guidance that the candidate receives, beyond the required packing list, is to show up physically fit and tactically proficient; even during the competition itself, participants will typically be unsure as to how long any given event might continue. Most importantly, the Hymers Challenge is intended to present each of these future platoon leaders with scenarios wherein they must make decisions in an uncertain environment given only vague and incomplete information…just like leadership in the real world of the Army. Some incredible prizes are presented to the top three finishers, and everyone who completes the Hymers Challenge receives a prize just for finishing. Want to find out what you’re made of? Think you’re up to the Hymers Challenge?
