A Cadet of 5th Regiment Advanced Camp runs with his gear to the shakedown station on day zero of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 14. Advanced Camp Cadets will train for the next 30 days to develop leadership skills to become the Army’s newest 2nd Leuitenants. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
by Mattie Cook
FORT KNOX, Ky.- Cadets of 5th Regiment Advanced Camp arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., for day zero of Cadet Summer Training (CST) June 14.
These Cadets will spend the next 30 days developing leadership skills, tactical skills and character to become the Army’s newest 2nd Lieutenants.
2nd Lt. Joshua Jackson, commissioned from Central State University, Ohio, hopes to use his experiences from Advanced Camp to relate to Cadets.
“I’m going to make sure they understand that I was also in this situation and training and give them that look on what Cadets are and aren’t suppose to do. This is high stakes, they’re so close but still so far,” said Jackson. “I really hope to see improvements from Cadets. We’re going to see strengths and weaknesses early on, and I really want to see improvement so they can carry those skills onto the next generation of Cadets.”
Cadet Thomas Roberts, University of Tennessee, 5th Regiment Advanced Camp, checks his kevlar helmet during shakedown at Fort Knox, Ky., June 14. Advanced Camp Cadets will train for the next 30 days to develop leadership skills to be the Army’s newest 2nd Leuitenants. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
Jackson also says that day zero is crucial in setting the tone for training.
“The most significant part of day zero is the introduction, how Cadets see themselves and see Cadre because they will be us one day,” said Jackson. “I’m just glad to be one of the key personnel to show them the example.”
Throughout training, Cadre will identify points of development in Cadets and help them hone skills in leadership to work as a team.
Cadet David Kerstan, Indiana Wesleyan University, Indiana, says he is ready to get training started and see what he can bring to the table of leadership.
A Cadet of 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp dumps his belongings to sort through during the shakedown station after arriving on Fort Knox, Ky., for day zero of Cadet Summer Training. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
“A mix of anxiety and excitement is what I’m feeling right now,” said Kerstan. “I’m looking forward to seeing different leadership styles of my peers and figure out what I can apply to my own. I’ll be able to put myself to the test and get rid of some of the things I’m doing wrong.”
Kerstan just finished Airborne school and says he hopes to take what he learns at Advanced Camp back to an Airborne setting, in a more specialized environment.
The next 30 days will prove challenging for Cadets as they complete events such as land navigation, weapons qualification and field training exercises.
CST will bring 8,200 Cadets through Basic and Advanced Camp this summer on Fort Knox. These camps are designed to help challenge, grow and improve various skills and leadership qualities within the Cadets.
