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In the first few weeks of Cadet Basic Training the new cadets were trained on how to respond to a nuclear, chemical or biological attack. During the Goeke Challenge, the squads were tasked with taking appropriate measures in a simulated attack by don...
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New cadets react to a simulated chemical attack (green smoke) by donning their protective masks before evacuating and treating casualties. This was but one of several events which comprised the Goeke Challenge on July 15. The challenge tested new cad...
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At the Indoor Obstacle Course, every obstacle is a team event and time penalties occur for failure to complete an obstacle or if it is performed incorrectly. The squad, wearing their assault packs, must carry four 10-pound medicine balls through the ...
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At the Indoor Obstacle Course, every obstacle is a team event and time penalties occur for failure to complete an obstacle or if it is performed incorrectly. The squad, wearing their assault packs, must carry four 10-pound medicine balls through the ...
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The squad leader for 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company B keeps the new cadets working in unison as the take the Zodiac along the length of Luske Reservoir. This was but one of several events which comprised the Goeke Challenge on July 15. The challenge...
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It's a long way to the top for the Class of 2015, but the new cadets managed to sprint 193 stairs to the top of the press box at Michie Stadium, delivered a verse from the Alma Mater and mustered 79 mountain climbers in honor of the number of fallen ...
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It's a long way to the top for the Class of 2015, but the new cadets managed to sprint 193 stairs to the top of the press box at Michie Stadium, delivered a verse from the Alma Mater and mustered 79 mountain climbers in honor of the number of fallen ...
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New cadets performed a series of carries, pushups and other tests of strength and endurance at Buffalo Soldier Field during the Goeke Challenge. Each squad also totaled a combined number of 508 flutter kicks in honor of 1st Lt. Christopher Goeke, a 2...
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WEST POINT, N.Y. (July 20, 2011) -- It has been a Cadet Basic Training tradition to test new cadets midway through with a skills competition, named in honor of a West Point graduate. The challenge held throughout West Point July 15 honored the service and sacrifice of 1st Lt. Christopher Goeke.
Right from the start of CBT, new cadets were introduced to the story of this Class of 2008 graduate who was killed in action nearly a year to the day of this challenge. Goeke had deployed to Afghanistan last July with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment from Fort Bragg, N.C. He was killed when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire.
“We’re focusing on remembering him because he emulated everything a cadet hopes to be,” Class of 2012 Cadet Angela Smith, the regimental commander for the first CBT detail, said.
The Goeke Challenge included strength and endurance tests throughout West Point, whether it was sprinting 193 steps to the press box at Michie Stadium, rowing across Lusk Reservoir on a Zodiac, or negotiating obstacles at Hayes Gymnasium. They were also tested on land navigation, Soldier First Responder training and response to a chemical attack among the many challenges.
Class of 2012 Cadet Brian Meese, the Cadet Basic Training Regimental S-3 during the first detail, navigated the entire course twice in two days and was certain it would be demanding but fun for the new cadets. The concept was not about any one squad winning the challenge, Meese said, but about fostering teamwork and building a sense of camaraderie among the new cadets by completing the challenge together.
“It’s going to be demanding on all of them, and so they have to work well together as a team to get through it,” Meese said.
The entire cadet cadre worked to create the challenge, with representatives from each company devising, coordinating and executing their lanes.
“We wanted to test them on all the skills we’ve trained the new cadets on, but with the emphasis on teamwork and building their confidence,” Meese said. “We want them to understand the value of a team at West Point and in the Army.”
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