FORT KNOX, Ky.-Representatives from corporate America and academia across the United States acted as ambassadors as they visited Fort Knox, Ky., June 12-13, to take part in a Center of Influence (COI) tour of the Cadet Summer Training (CST) mission. The sophomore and junior Cadets from Reserve Officer Training (ROTC) programs attend summer training missions annually.
Fort Knox hosted several Centers of Influence (COI) from various schools and universities to aid them in better understanding what Cadet Summer Training (CST) is and how Cadets benefit from the training they recieve at CST. COIs were able to particapate in the reppel tower as a part of this training. June 13 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
During the first day of the tour, the ambassadors learned about resiliency, or the ability of a Cadet to bounce back from a stressful situation or environment, and how it applies to Cadets during their summer training.
“Our employees need to understand the training that our service men and women under go, I think it would help to shed light on developing leadership and discipline in the educational area,” said Shonda Allen, Associate Director of the Interdisciplinary Nontoxicity Center, Jackson State University, Miss. “I’m actually going to use the resiliency information that I learned from this morning and apply it to the classrooms.”
The ambassadors learned aspects of the physical and mental challenges the Cadets will face during the training. The ambassadors were given an opportunity to face some of these challenges by rappelling down a wooden tower about 60 feet above the ground.
“There is no obstacle too high,” said James E. Clark, president, South Carolina University, S.C.
The next day, the ambassadors met at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership where they were greeted by Maj. Gen. Chris Hughes, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox. Hughes provided the group with an explanation of the Army rank structure, how promotions are earned and the decisions a Cadet must make regarding making the military their career of choice.
Fort Knox hosted several Centers of Influence (COI) from various schools and universities to aid them in better understanding what Cadet Summer Training (CST) is and how Cadets benefit from the training they recieve at CST. COIs were joined by Maj. Gen. Hughes for a disscussion on how ROTC benefits their schools. June 14 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
“To experience what our Cadets go through gives me a greater appreciation for our Cadets and the Army. The amount of investment the Cadet Command puts into the development of our youth and future leaders
is appreciated,” said Aiddy Phomvisay, director, Central Campus, Des Moines Public Regional Academy, Iowa.
As the ambassadors ended their day and tour, they will return to their schools with a better understanding of their Cadets and military programs like ROTC. They also walked away with knowledge about the requirements a Cadet must meet to be successful in these programs and tools to help improve the programs.
Cadet Summer Training brings 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. If you think you have what it takes to be a Cadet or if you are interested in a job after college click the following link:
https://my.goarmy.com/info/rotc1/index.jsp?iom=IP08-AUTO-R1NA-BR-XXX-XX-XXX-MO-XX-X-BRCMAC:IP08
