News Article Release

Naval Academy Infantry Skills Team Teaches Combat Relevant Skills

April 4, 2012

MC2 Alexia Riveracorrea

Even with the academy’s demanding academic and athletic schedule, midshipmen have time to participate in extracurricular activities, many of which are designed to develop professional skills relevant to officers in combat situations.

The Infantry Skills Team is a competitive activity that prepares midshipmen physically and mentally for ground combat-related service assignments. Joining the team requires a physical fitness screening in the fall semester, and mids can join during their freshman or sophomore year.

“I joined the team because I had the desire to be part of a hard working group of people who participate in relevant military training,” said team captain Midshipman 1st Class Benjamin Melendez, who will join the Marine Corps after graduation.

The team practices various infantry skills ranging from marksmanship, rappelling, land navigation, radio communications, combat first aid, tactics, leadership, teamwork and physical fitness - skills that can carry over to the fleet.

“I wanted a challenge and the infantry skills team delivered,” said Melendez. “I hope that what we do here will not only benefit ourselves as individuals, officers and as teammates, but hopefully the people we will someday lead. Training others to be as tough and as proficient as they can be and to create an environment that fosters that mentality - that is as positive an impact as I could hope to create.”

The team competes in three major collegiate military skills competitions every year, including the 2nd Brigade Army ROTC Ranger Challenge, the Villanova Military Excellence Competition and the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, held at West Point this month.

The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition is an event in which the team works towards and tests the member’s proficiency. Recently, the group partnered with the Baltimore Fire Department to conduct rappel training for that event. Fire department personnel allowed the midshipmen to rappel from their 70-foot fire tower, attempting to simulate conditions similar to what team will face in the upcoming competition.

“Team members gained familiarity with securing a rappel site, rigging their gear and properly descending the building,” said Melendez. “These skills will assist the team in competing against both West Point and international military academy teams at Sandhurst.”

During the summer, many of the team members continue training at West Point and the U.S. Army Air Assault School. Senior midshipmen participate in summer training cruises with Marines, explosive ordnance personnel and SEALs.