Tristen Rouse
Photographer & Photo Editor

The MSIII platoon rucks into the woods to begin the day’s mission on February 21, 2019. Mostly made up of third-year students, the platoon is training for their advanced camp and eventual commission as officers.

Cadet William “Ross” Duncan peeks out from behind cover while waiting to trigger an ambush during a drill on February 28, 2019 in the woods behind Memorial Stadium. Duncan was part of the team that set up the platoon’s prop Claymore mine, an antipersonnel mine that can be set off by tripwire or remote detonator.

From left, MSIII cadets Abe Drury, Shade Bullock and Kobe Smith watch a walk-through of an ambush mission on February 21, 2019 in a parking lot behind Memorial Stadium. It was the platoon’s first day going through an ambush, so cadre decided to have them do it once before they rucked into the woods for the full mission.

Cadet Patrick Seeling, right, helps haul Cadet Lukas “Ziggie” Ziegler, left, up a muddy hill during a mission drill on March 7, 2019 at East Field. Seeling is in the Green-to-Gold program, where enlisted soldiers can become commissioned officers. Originally a sergeant, Seeling decided to become a commissioned officer after witnessing times where an officer’s actions put people in danger. “I decided I should try to be the one in charge of distributing info so I could do a better job,” Seeling said.

Cadet Blake Willoughby awaits orders during a tactical defense drill on April 4, 2019 in the woods behind Memorial Stadium. In addition to Army ROTC, Willoughby is enlisted in the National Guard through the simultaneous membership program. After commissioning, he hopes to go active duty as an intelligence officer.

MSIII cadets run from the cover of one tree line to the next on April 4, 2019 in the woods behind Memorial Stadium. The training mission terrain included a series of woodland, hills and open field the cadets had to traverse before setting up their defensive position.

Cadet Maisy Borden, left, helps cadet Sydnie English reload her rifle during a defensive mission April 14, 2019 at Baker’s Acres. Borden acted as the platoon sergeant during the mission, in charge of all platoon personnel, equipment and ammunition. “You’ve got to take a lot of pride in (leadership) and take care of your ‘Joes,’” Borden said. “But the hard work pays off when the mission is done and complete like your commander wanted.”

Cadets from Missouri and Lincoln ROTC programs look to the National Guard helicopter that is to take them to the JFTX on April 12, 2019 at East Field. The helicopter made four trips, transporting the two platoons from Columbia to Baker's Acres, a National Guard training site in Macon, where the JFTX takes place.

Cadets unload gear and prop weapons from the car of Capt. Patrick Hughes before their training mission on April 4, 2019 in the woods behind Memorial Stadium.

MSIII cadet Katia Newell laughs after a completed mission on March 7, 2019 in the woods behind Memorial Stadium. The day’s training mission took place in a slightly different location than usual, across terrain the cadets were not familiar with.

Fellow cadets give Maisy Borden a hard time about her Starbuck Frappuccino on April 11, 2019 at Crowder Hall on the University of Missouri campus. The group worked together to finish the drink before their lab officially started.

From left, Ross Duncan, Jared Weece and Sam Thompson stand in line to give urine samples on April 11, 2019 in Crowder Hall. Cadets were packed into the narrow hallway the tests were being handed out in, before going into the nearby bathroom to carry out the test.

William “Ross” Duncan, center, fills out forms to accompany his urine test on April 4, 2019 in Crowder Hall. The day before the JFTX was spent packing, being issued rations and taking urine samples from the cadets in the platoon.

MSIII cadets clean their rifles after their final mission April 14, 2019 at Baker’s Acres. The guns used for the JFTX are National Guard-issued weapons, including M16 rifles and M249 machine guns, firing blanks. Once their rifles are cleaned, they are inspected by MSIV cadets. Any carbon residue found during the inspection means the MSIII must clean the rifle again, and again, until it passes inspection.

MSIII cadet Jin Lee rests his head in his hands on the night of April 13, 2019 at the shelter cadets will sleep in at Baker’s Acres. The cadets’ day began at dawn and ended well after dusk. To Lee’s left, cadets Sydnie English and Nicholas DeLoach also rest.

MSIV cadet Tate Kitchell shaves the morning of April 14, 2019 at Baker’s Acres. ROTC cadets are expected to maintain a military standard of dress and appearance. During the JFTX, having water to shave with can be a luxury, and most cadets are left to dry shave without a mirror.

A cadet steps out of the building the MSIII cadets slept in on April 14, 2019 at Baker's Acres. After expecting winter weather, leadership had the cadets sleep inside, instead of in their patrol base in the woods. When cadets arose for their morning mission, no snow had come.