The Army ROTC emerged victorious Tuesday in the ROTC Tri-Service Games, an annual event among the three University of Virginia ROTC units featuring round-robin competition in football, soccer and kickball.
The Army detachment received the trophy, festooned with a battleship, a tank and jet fighter, to represent the three branches. Navy鈥檚 midshipmen finished second and the Air Force cadets took third.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth Eaton-Ferenzi, commander of the Army ROTC, addressed the competitors at The Park with a quote from Gen. Douglas MacArthur: 鈥淯pon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory.鈥 She reminded cadets and midshipmen that MacArthur meant a competitive mindset translates to grit, discipline, focus, teamwork, resilience, leadership and combat effectiveness.
鈥淚n terms of friendly interservice competitions such as our tri-service sports competition here at UVA, it fosters a healthy and tradition-filled rivalry between branches and also encourages a mutual respect for one another,鈥 Eaton-Ferenzi said. 鈥淚t is often said that the U.S. military鈥檚 greatest strength is anchored in its ability to operate as a unified and integrated force, which creates a comparative advantage that is unmatched.鈥
The contest also builds individuals.
鈥淭ri-service sports day builds trust, cohesion and a competitive edge our future officers will rely on in joint operations,鈥 said U.S. Air Force Col. Cary D. Mittelmark, commander of the Air Force ROTC detachment. 鈥淚t pushes them to compete hard, stay resilient and bring out the best in each other while earning some well-deserved bragging rights.鈥
