Extreme Military Challenge

★★★★★Anjelica Finstad

Absolutely loved this for my son. I really wanted to send my girls but they out the breaks in real quick. I recommend this to everyone! Started in the young marine program, then XMC, now he’s I’m heading into his 4th year of JROTC and enlisting on his 17th bday.

★★★★★Felicia Sulak

Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it! Year 3 with @ExtremeMilitaryChallenge was another incredible chapter for Cadet Dydek! An Engineering Course Graduate, Advanced Field Leader, and Cadet Staff Support. 💥🎓 (prior years: 2023: Basic; & MP; Cadet Staff Ride; 2024: Field Leader & MP-revoked; 2025: Engineering; Advanced field leader; Cadet Staff Support) signing up for winter tactical again, medic & rangers for next year 🤞 This program continues to push him to new levels while keeping the experience fun and rewarding, just like he said: “It’s a lot of fun while learning—which makes it the best!” 🙌 XMC isn’t just a summer camp. It’s a mission-driven leadership experience that builds discipline, confidence, and purpose while it impacts the whole family. We’re so thankful for the real talk, consistent photo & video updates (that golden phone call 📞), which keep us connected and inspired from afar. Thank you @ExtremeMilitaryChallenge for shaping strong leaders and giving our youth something to believe in and build on. Major Land & Col. Land are amazing leaders that only attract & have the best! We’re locked in for 3 more years—and wouldn’t have it any other way. 💪🇺🇸 #CadetDydek #XMC2025 #ExtremeMilitaryChallenge #EngineeringGraduate #AdvancedFieldLeader #CadetStaffSupport #YouthLeadership #ProudParent #SummerWithPurpose #BuildingLeaders #DisciplineConfidenceRespect #FunAndFocused

★★★★★Anja Spiegel

As a current cadet who came to XMC in 2022 at the age of 12, I can confidently say that Extreme Military Challenge has changed the course of my life. Before camp I was a shy 12 year old girl who spent most of her time in her room playing video games, rarely stepping outside or socializing. I originally came to camp because I wanted to push myself and step outside my comfort zone. The funny part is that after my first summer, the very first thing I said was, “I’m never doing that again!” It was the hardest three weeks of my life Cadet Basic Training and the Fitness Challenge pushed me to my absolute limits. But not long after I got home, I started to miss it. I missed the discipline, the adrenaline, the structure, and especially the feeling of achievement that came with graduating. That’s when I knew I wanted to go back. Throughout these 4 years at XMC I have currently done fitness challenge, cadet basic training, cadet field leader course, staff ride, winter tactical, four weeks of staff support, cadet engineering school, advanced field leader, engineering ojt, and cadet medic school. Over the years so far I got the rank of Sergeant first class there is still so much I want to do at this camp. Being here convinced me to have this discipline in my school life so about a week from now I will be going to New Mexico military Institute and I’m very excited for what’s next XMC has truly prepared me for everything. Yes, there are some negative reviews out there but most of them come from parents of kids who never earned the title of Cadet. And that’s okay XMC isn’t for everyone. Some people can’t handle it or don’t finish. But that’s exactly what sets XMC cadets apart from other kids. XMC is extremely challenging. Some moments are exhausting and frustrating. but I learned to embrace those moments. Believe it or not, I missed being tired, doing push-ups, and pushing through it all with my friends. It’s all worth it. The friends you make at XMC are lifelong, and the more you return, the stronger those relationships grow. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. it shaped me into who I am today. I am so grateful to Colonel Land, the amazing instructors, and the cadre. Without them believing in me, I wouldn’t be the person I am now.

★★★★★Benjamin Spiegel

Ignore all these “rambling” negative reviews. XMC has taken our shy little girl and turned her into a proud, disciplined, strong female. Yes, they are tough and impatient Yes, they don’t deal well with bullshit Yes, they have zero tolerance for misconduct Yes, sometimes they get even under my skin by being short and blunt ;) But guess what? It made my daughter a better person; it made me even a better parent. She has been multiple times, and each time, she returns holding her head higher, more confident, and more prepared for reality. Which is Tough, annoying, and intolerant.. but now she is ready for it. If you are raising an entitled snowflake, we don’t want them there. My daughter has seen a few, and they get sent home quickly.. and now the parent's word vomit on reviews. I am glad they sent them home to create a better experience for my daughter. But if you want your child to come home with more strength, pride, respect, and a stronger mind. Send them here.

★★★★★Lauren Bell

I have been going to XMC for three years now. I first went in the summer of 2022 as a 13-year-old female. As of right now, I have completed three courses and Spring On-the-Job-Training. I will be going back in a few weeks for the entire summer. I am so glad I found XMC. All of the cadre are incredible. Personally, I didn't realize I was capable of completing everything I did, but the cadre knew I could before I did. They do not tolerate any bad behavior and are not worried about sending challengers home who break the rules. XMC is not meant to be a walk in the park. As COL Land says, "Extreme, military, challenge: none of those three words mean easy." I hold several leadership positions at school and I have become more outgoing and confident. I have to give credit to XMC for pushing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to try new things. Along with getting more physically fit, I have challenged myself mentally and now I am able to take on more challenging roles and tasks in my daily life. XMC is an amazing place for teens to get such an amazing experience that they can't get anywhere else.