Fort Knox, Ky.,– The boots of the Cadets of 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp have touched the ground, and so begins the next 31 days of Cadet Summer Training.
The Cadets arrived at in processing where they were signed in and assigned to the different companies and platoons within the regiment. The Cadets then inspected their gear, were briefed by the chaplain, and settled in to their barracks.
A Cadet prepares to move locations after his personal gear has been processed at Fort Knox, Ky, on June 4, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
Capt. Joseph Perkins, instructor at the Virginia Military Institute, native of Chicago, was present to greet 3rd Regiment and instruct throughout in processing.
“Today we are receiving our Cadets for 3rd Regiment. We bring them out and do a shake down to make sure they have all of their gear and make sure they aren’t hiding anything, get their height and weight down, and do initial counseling to make sure they understand what they need to complete at camp,” said Perkins.
A great deal of time and effort goes into the shake down portion of in processing for the Cadets.
“We want to make sure they have all the proper gear, so that whatever they don’t have we can take them over to CIF so we can issue the gear that they need for the 31 days at camp,” said Perkins.
Perkins recommends that Cadets try to prepare before arriving for their summer training, with a focus on what they have learned in ROTC.
“It’s possible to be prepared for some events, but in order for us to test their leadership skills and abilities, we have to throw variables at them, which is why we do time in the field so that we can test how they react to different pressures,” said Perkins. “Go over the same stuff you’ve been going over in school. Utilize the ranger handbook, go over the tactics to become familiar with, land navigation and
Cadre gives instructions to a Cadet after personal gear is processed at Fort Knox, Ky, on June 4, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
call for fire, all of those skills will be tested.”
Cadet Royce Stanfill, student at San Jose State University, native of San Diego, had already been waiting on Fort Knox prior to his start date for CST.
“I’m feeling good, I’ve been in a holding company since May 31st here on Fort Knox, so I’ve just been sitting around trying to do extra PT and get more sleep before these 31 days start,” said Stanfill.
Stanfill feels well prepared for the next 31 days, having studied in the days prior to camp.
“I feel like I’m a little more prepared because I had a lot of down time without distractions so that I could study my Cadet handbook, look up things online, and go over the notes from my Cadre in Reserve Officers Training Corps,” said Stanfill. “I’m excited to shoot and do the repel tower, but I’m least excited for the Army Physical Fitness Test.”
Cadet Shane Reisinger, student at Purdue University, native of Swayzee, Indiana, arrived at Fort Knox ready to begin.
Cadets follow a Cadre member after arrival and in-processing at Fort Knox, Ky, on June 4, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
“I feel excited, but a little nervous, just ready to get started,” said Reisinger. “I am kind of nervous to be put in a leadership position and working with my peers, but I’m also excited to teach them what I’ve learned over the past few semesters at school.”
Reisinger has also been preparing for summer training.
“I’ve been writing notes in my books and working with my Cadre back at school to get ready,” said Reisinger.
The 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets will now take what they have learned and apply it to their summer training for the next 31 days.
