Southern University NROTC to host Dronet Challenge

The Southern University Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps (NROTC) will host the "Dronet ROTC Challenge" on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The challenge will honor Marine 1st Lt. Brandon Dronet, who was a Louisiana State University and NROTC Southern University and A&M College graduate. Dronet gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country on Feb. 17, 2006, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while serving in Djibouti, Africa.

While honoring Dronet, the challenge will also build esprit de corps amongst the midshipmen and cadets of ROTC units from Southern, LSU and Tulane University.

Participants in the Dronet Challenge will work on competing teams and execute various events such as the two- mile orienteering run, tug of war, water jug relay, fireman carry relay, poncho stretcher carry relay and more.

Dronet's widow, Summer Landry, accompanied by their children, will attend the event. There will be barbeque and award ceremony. Landry will assist the commanding officer in presenting trophies at the ceremony.

For more information, contact Sgt. Rubin Tan, the Marketing and Public Affairs Representative for Marine Corps Recruiting Station Baton Rouge at Rubin.Tan@marines.usmc.mil or (504) 416-9226; or contact the coordinator for the event, Capt. Andrew Kettner, NROTC Marine Officer Instructor at Andrew_Kettner@subr.edu or (225) 771-4676.