By: Madison Thompson

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 5th Regiment, Basic Camp, arrived at Fort Knox, June 27, for Cadet Summer Training for in-processing and to settle into the barracks before training begins. Cadets sift through their belongings, fill out paperwork and are briefed about what is expected of them during the next 30 days of training.

As they waited in lines, Cadets spoke about their feelings toward the training ahead of them.

Basic Camp, 5th Regiment, Cadets McKenzi Wenninger, Minnesota State University Mankato, Luverne, Minn., and Emily Tran, College of Charleston, Greenville, S.C. arrive at Fort Knox, Ky., June 27 Photo by: Madison Thompson

“We’re super excited and nervous about what to expect,” said Cadets Emily Tran, College of Charleston, Greenville, S.C., and McKenzi Wenninger, Minnesota State University Mankato, Luverne, Minn.

“I feel like I’m ready to train and I’m excited to be here,” said Cadet Thomas Hitchcock, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo.

Because they are in Basic Camp, Cadets will have more training beyond CST 2017. They must also complete Advanced Camp in their futures should they desire to become 2nd lieutenants. For the next 30 days of training, Cadets will have to motivate themselves and each other.

For this regiment, motivation for themselves and others does not seem to be a problem.

“My motivation is just more training, reinforcement of ideas that I’ve already been training on. It makes me more competitive compared to other Cadets. [And] learn all I can and get the most experience before I actually commission,” explained Cadet Hudson Haley, Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. Haley upholds a family tradition from his father and his grandfather being in the Military.

“Knowing that I can do it because I know I can push myself farther than I have before and I just want to test my limits and see what I’m capable of,” stated Cadet John Fangmeyer, Vanderbilt University, Lexington, Ky.

“The idea that I can bring back things I’ve learned back to my campus at school. This way, I can help out the new freshman who come in, my fellow peers and even people who are older than me,” said Tran.

“Probably my motivation is either going to be the drill sergeants yelling at me or my guys at my left and right and trying to help them get through it like I’m trying to get through it,” said Cadet

Basic Camp, 5th Regiment, Cadet Arielle Keller, University of Cincinnati, Hebron, Ky., arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., June 27 Photo by: Madison Thompson

James Phillips, California State University, Fresno, Calif. “It’s more of a unit. It’s not just for one self-purpose. So, I see it as a team activity and that’s what draws me here. It was a giant reason I decided to join the military. I like the idea of challenge and the idea of perseverance. So, I joined the Army to continue something greater than myself.”

Some Cadets possess the same reason for entering Army ROTC, specifically the Army nursing program.

Basic Camp, 5th Regiment, Cadet Thomas Hitchcock, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo., arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., June 27 Photo by: Madison Thompson

“My goal is to become a nurse. One day, at a seminar for nurses, the Army ROTC heads came over and told us that they wanted a lot more nurses in the Army. So, I decided, why not. I thought about it for about two weeks with another friend and we both decided to join up,” said Cadet Hayley Clark, Stephen Foster University, Aubrey, Texas.

“I’m going to be a nurse. So, that’s why I think this would be great … I just asked my master sergeant at my university if he thought it would be a good idea and he said it would be, just to get more familiar with the program and everything,” explained Cadet Arielle Keller, University of Cincinnati, Hebron, Ky.

Near the end of in-processing, one Cadet’s statement seemed to resonate the theme of Basic Camp.

“What’ll motivate me to do training this whole time,” said Hitchcock, “Just knowing that I’ll be able to learn a lot and be a better Soldier because of it.”

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