By Lindsey Crown

FORT KNOX, Ky. – “The purpose of this mission is familiarization with an ambush,” said Cadet Joe Pearman, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Cadets from 5th Regiment Advanced Camp learned how to set in the various elements of an ambush- security, support and assault, he said.

Cadet of 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, in an ambush position at STX lanes in Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Nia Fields

“We learned how to move across an area once we’ve bush wacked the bad guys, clear the bodies and tend to any of our own injured and withdrawal,” Pearman said.

Cadets perform these squad situational tactical exercises with the assistance and direction of Cadre in preparation of field exercises that they must lead on their own.

“This is the crawl phase,” said Cadet Regina Kruegler, University of Scranton, one of the Cadets playing SAPA, the opposition force. “Crawl, walk, run.”

The purpose of SAPA is to supply the Cadets with opposition forces so they have targets, Kruegler said.

“We’re here to give Cadets the best training possible,” said Cadet Gus Karress, The Citadel.

Cadet of 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, in an ambush position at STX lanes in Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Nia Fields

Using other Cadets instead of Forces Command Soldiers like they used to, frees up actual active duty units to do mission prep instead, he said.

“No matter where you come from,” said Cadet Shane Tracy, Boston University, “embracing the experience and finding out who people are will help you build a good relationship that will make this camp more enjoyable and create better overall teamwork to accomplish our missions.”