About 120 UF Army ROTC cadets turned out to Flavet Field on Thursday afternoon to participate in the organization's annual fall demonstration.
"It's one of our best opportunities to show UF students what we do," said cadet Capt. Brian Amos, who oversees media relations for UF ROTC. "It's a lot more than a recruiting event."
The demonstration showcased clubs within ROTC, including Gator Guard, a formal drill team, and Ranger Challenge, which is a competitive varsity sports team, said Amos, a sports management senior.
A portable rock wall, a Humvee and a Black Hawk medevac helicopter - piloted by UF ROTC alumni stationed in Jacksonville - landed on the field near the stage, which was surrounded by tents and tables from the Army Reserve and National Guard.
The UF ROTC tent offered Army mouse pads, drink coozies, notepads, pens and lanyards. Officers stood next to a squad automatic weapon and an MK-19 grenade launcher that, Amos said, weighed 120 pounds. The weapons cannot be used on campus.
The purpose of the displays was to show new cadets what the military has to offer them, said Lt. Haby Ramirez, who graduated from UF in December 2009.
Cadets declare what branch of the military they are most interested in by their junior year and are placed according to need, GPA, physical training score and leadership factors, Ramirez said.
In addition to the roughly 120 cadets, about 20 non-cadets attended the demo before rain forced the rock wall and Humvee off the field. The cadets moved to the stage, where they stood in formation before being dismissed.
