Echo 2^nd practices a skill demonstration for promotion day. From left to right Recruit Jonathan Shung, Josiah Sullivan, James McDonald, Jacob Goins, Timothy Ryden, Arie Kraayenbrink, and Connor Dahl.

Recruits Nathan McGrath and Thomas Dewar of Bravo 1^st rappel down the ALERT rappelling tower during preparation for promotion day.

Delta and Foxtot 2^nd practice patient packaging.

Second Platoon practices Drill and Ceremony.

Second Platoon, led by Drill Instructor Timothy Falkenstine.

Recruit Nathaniel Hardy throws a javelin during the Recruit Olympics, on the first day of the BRC (Basic Responder Challenge).

The BRC is a three-day event, during which the men of Unit 43 will be tested on the skills that they have learned during Basic Training as well as character, endurance, and teamwork. 

Recruit George Rutler of Team Victor, prepares to hurl a shot put during the Recruit Olympics.

Unit 43 takes part in an old tradition of Basic Training, Dog Sled races.

For this three day event the men if Unit 43 have been divided into four teams, Tango, Victor, X-Ray, and Zulu. At the end of the BRC the winning team will receive the Team Excellence Ribbon.

Recruits William Schrammen, Jacob Goins, Thomas Dewar, and Graydon Philips of Team Victor, attempt to win the Tug-o-war competition.

Team Tango from Right to Left, Michael Miller, Elijah Lloyd, Nathan Mellas, Samuel Little, Evan Weddle, and Michael Hall.  

Echo 2^nd gets ready to demonstrate a skill they learned in Basic Training.

Recruits Jacob Goins, Connor Dahl, and Jonathan Shung operate a Z-pulley system as they prepare for Promotion day.

Four men will be selected from Unit 43 and given the privilege of demonstrating the ALERT Obstacle Course on Promotion day.

Recruits Timothy Papillion, Samuel Cade, Nathaniel Hardy, and Samuel Little of Alpha and Bravo1^st, each belay a rappeller on the ALERT tower.

Recruit Timothy Wong of Foxtrot 2^nd, brings the end of the rope across the river so that the system may be disassembled from the other side.

Unit 43 prepares for Promotion day at the end of Basic Training.

The men of Unit 43 stand ready during Saturday Inspection.

Echo 2^nd led by RFC Sean Faevel.

SDS Jonathan Archibald, Captain Keon Pendergast, and 2nd Lieutenant Michael Harman inspect the men of Foxtrot 2nd.

During Basic Training each man is required to learn how to properly care for the ALERT uniform.

Unit 43 waits to hear whether they pass or fail this week Saturday Inspection.

From the start of Basic Training a standard is set forth. This week the men of Unit 43 achieved that standard, and passed Saturday Inspection.

The men of Unit 43 Pass Saturday Inspection

Recruits Nathan Mellas, Jean-Sebastian St. Laurent, and Samuel Cade prepare to hoist up an engine block at the base of the cliff.

Bravo 1^st maneuvers logs across a stream where they will connect them to a rope system and transport them across a ravine using mechanical advantage.

Recruit Matthew Wickenhauser and Caleb Spurlock build a stretcher to carry a victim back to the barracks. 

Recruit Nathan McGrath assembles a bipod to serve as the lifting point for the rope system.

Recruits Nathan McGrath, Thomas Dewar, and Nathaniel hardy successfully complete the first part of their Nav-Med assignment.

Recruit Michael Miller reads the criteria for his squads Nav-Med. A “Navigational –Medical exercise” is designed to build teamwork and give the men a better understanding of wilderness first aid.

The challenge set before these men is to build a platform approximately two feet off the ground, and can bear the weight of the entire squad.

Alpha 1^st provides medical attention to a hypothermic victim.

Using webbing, Para cord, and small trees, this squad created a stretcher to carry their patient.

After completing their task of moving large logs across a ravine, Charlie 2^nd cares for a victim with a broken arm and mild hypothermia.

Carrying both gear and patient, Charlie 2^nd hikes back to base. 

Recruit Jonathan Chestnut rappels during the trip to Oklahoma. 

Using their knowledge of map and compass work, the men of Unit 43 attempt to triangulate their position using distant objects. 

Echo 2^nd sets up a rescue system to rescue a stranded vehicle. 

Recruit Jonathan Lueken triangulating his position. 

Rappelling down a rock face.

SDS Jonathan Archibald assembles Unit 43 at the beginning of the 24-hour hike.

Honoring an ALERT tradition, the men of Unit 43 knock out pushups before they start hiking. 

Pictured here, Recruits and Cadre finish the first leg of the 24-hour hike. 

Unit 43 hiked in the Mountains of Ouachita Oklahoma.

 Squad leader Cpl. Matthew McDaniels crosses a stream during the second leg of the 24-hour hike.   

Hiking on, Unit 43 faces one of the biggest challenges of Basic Training. The 24-hour hike.

Recruit Timothy Wong plots his course on the morning of the solo hike.

During the solo hike each man is given a topographical map, grid reader, and compass. With these tools, each recruit must arrive at a specified location within a set time limit.

Recruit  Joseph Ferry preparing for the solo hike.

Recruit Nathan McGrath cleans for Saturday Inspection.

Recruit Josiah Sullivan.

Recruits Samuel Little and Michael Miller clean squad gear in preparation for Saturday Inspection.

Each squad within a Platoon is given jurisdiction over part of the Basic Training barracks, and are responsible for its cleanliness.

Recruit Nathaniel Hardy cleans the floor in his study.

SDS Jonathan Archibald instructs the men of Unit 43 how to prepare a chicken for their evening meal.

Recruit Michael Hall after receiving his dinner.

 2^nd Platoon gets a chance to brush up on their mapping skills as well as learn celestial navigation.

 1^st Platoon carries a hypothermic victim in a “Stokes Basket” after properly caring for and packaging the patient.

Unit 43 learns how to prepare large game, through the instruction of SDS Jonathan Archibald.

Echo 2^nd eats their evening meal after cooking their portion of a goat.

Bravo 1st sets up their rope system during the Basic Training river crossing competition.

Recruit Nathan McGrath clips into the system before crossing the river.

During the competition each squad is timed and graded to determine the squad with the greatest skill at river crossing.

Chaplain Tom Burch teaches the art of fishing to the men of unit 43.

The men of Unit 43 practice their shelter building skills as part of their survival training.

Shown here is a dead-fall trap built by recruit Arie Kraayenbrink.

Fire starting is a survival skill that the men are taught during survival week, and given many chances to perfect during the remainder of Basic Training.

Recruit Jonathan Shung feeds the beginnings of a cooking fire.

Recruits Caleb Mellas and Nathaniel Hardy filter water from a nearby lake. Using T-Shirts to remove dirt and debris is the first step in the purification process.

The second stage of purification requires a few drops of bleach. This kills any microorganisms and makes the water completely safe to drink.

Log Chief Cpl. Isaiah Wahl teaches food gathering techniques to the men of Unit 43.