FORT KNOX, Ky. – Thirty-one days of rigorous, stress-inducing and physically demanding training has come to an end for the nearly five hundred Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced Camp on July 15.
Recondo award recipient Cadet Nicholas Schuch, Campbell University, receives his award from General Robert Bennett during Fifth Regiment Advanced Camp graduation on July 15 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Emily Peacock)
Through the countless miles rucked, the sleepless nights in the field and the obstacles they’ve had to face these past few weeks, the Cadets of Fifth Regiment ended their time here at CST just as it had began: together.
“Today everything came together,” said Cadet Andrew Vanderweele, The Pennsylvania State University. “There are lots of happy faces here.”
Cadet Vanderweele was the recipient of the ApexTech Warrior Award, which is presented to the Cadet with the highest cumulative scores in land navigation and marksmanship.
“It was a great time,” said Vanderweele when asked about his time at Fort Knox. “It was also a rough time.”
Like many Cadets, Vanderweele’s training doesn’t end here. Once he and his family leave post, Vanderweele will head to the airport where his journey to Vilsek, Germany to participate in Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) will begin.
Cadet Rita Concannon, The Pennsylvania State University, smiles with her parents after graduating from Cadet Summer Training on July 15 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Emily Peacock)
Regardless of where their paths take them, the Cadets of Fifth Regiment credit each other for finishing CST strong.
“My favorite part of CST was getting to know everyone and growing as a leader,” said Cadet Rita Concannon, the Pennsylvania State University.
“Through the mentorship of my Cadre and the other Cadets around me, they’ve helped me improve as a Cadet as a whole.”
Similar to Vanderweele, Cadet Concannon will head west to San Antonio, Texas for her Nurse Summer Training Program.
Although she’ll miss the friends she’s made during her time at Fort Knox, Concannon says she’s excited to further her training as a nurse in the U.S. Army.
For Vanderwelle and Concannon, as well as the other five hundred Cadets that have carried the tile of Fifth Regiment, although their time at CST has come to an end, their journey as future leaders of America has only just begun.
