DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

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Video by Sgt. Maurice Moore
2nd Freedom Brigade Cadets Compete in the Rigorous 2024 Ranger Challenge Competition
361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element
Oct. 21, 2024 | 2:11
Cadets Maximilian Rzymski from Hofstra University, Jacob True from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Natan Blumberg from Rutgers University share their experiences and challenges during the annual Ranger Challenge competition for the Second Freedom Brigade. Cadets from over 48 universities across the Northeast converged at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, October 18-20, 2024, to demonstrate their physical fitness and technical expertise in more than ten graded and timed events. This year's theme, "Rigor," required cadets to confront both the physical and mental challenges presented by the events. The top two teams from this competition will advance to the Sandhurst Competition, scheduled for Spring 2025 at West Point, New York.

Additional Footage Provided by: Spc. Seth Cohen, Cdt. Michael Detres (Hofstra)
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