Army ROTC cadets pass last test of semester.

With rubber rifles, camouflage uniforms and load-bearing vests the cadets of Utah State University’s Army ROTC stood poolside, drenched in water.

Sometimes it took some coaxing or a shove into the pool, but all the cadets passed the Combat Water Survival Training test today and will be able to continue on in the ROTC program.

For many of the cadets it is a training event that they look forward to.

Cadet Brady Barton, a freshman, enjoys heights and liked the feeling the combat drop gave him.

“I like jumping off of stuff,” Barton said. “It’s a confidence builder.”

For most cadets taking their load-bearing vest off while submerged under water was the most challenging, yet their favorite event.

“It actually makes you think about what you are doing. You have to remove the gear while holding yourself completely under water,” said David Kitchens, a cadet who is in the process of earning his second bachelor’s degree.

Jace Hart, a junior cadet, agreed with Kitchens.

“It was challenging to hold myself under,” Hart said.

Cadet Colton Keune, a junior, spent two summers as a lifeguard before beginning college. He has always thought of himself as an excellent swimmer, but was challenged by the gear removal.

“I hate taking off my gear under water. I don’t sink fast enough,” Keune said. “I failed the first time.”

Cadet Rachel Wescott, a junior, was one of the cadets to struggle through the course.

“I don’t like water. I never associated the Army with water; I thought that was the Navy,” Wescott said.

Wescott, struggled on the combat drop. When she reached the top of the tower she was led to the edge by another cadet. The other cadets, who were poolside, cheered her on as she got closer to the edge. Once Wescott reached the edge, she paused for a full minute before jumping into the water.

“They finally pushed me in. As I hit the water I thought, good, this is finally over,” she said.

Cadet Fiona Duncan was the only cadet to fail the combat drop on the first attempt.

“I let go of my weapon as I was trying to swim back to the surface,” Duncan said.

Duncan retained her weapon on her second attempt and passed the event.

Cadets swam the 10-minute swim in shorts and a shirt, but junior Ben Dansie chose to wear his camouflage uniform to challenge himself.

“Keeping my uniform on made it difficult,” Dansie said. “It filled with water and made it heavy.”

Maj. Matthew Badell, the Army ROTC officer in charge, said that overall the cadets did well in the events.

“We had a few that struggled taking off their equipment,” Badell said. “Once they calmed down and kept themselves underwater they were able to pass.”