FORT KNOX, Ky. – Into the field they go.

7th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets are executing battle tactics out in the wilderness of Fort Knox as part of their field training exercises July 28.

Cadets from 7th Regiment, Basic Camp refine their plan while preparing for an ambush during a field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky. July 28. Photo by Sade’ Wilson

Cadet Micah Griffith, a Citadel student and a resident of Saluda, South Carolina, says the purpose of the field training exercise is to give Cadets a sense of what it’s like to conduct actual mission operations against enemy units.  

“It gives us an idea of what we’re supposed to be doing,” Griffith shared.  

Cadet Michael Vilker of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign says it’s his team’s fourth day out in the field.  

“They’re putting us in a lot of leadership roles, and they’re really testing us on our ability to not only lead people but implement plans that we’ve been learning over the past couple of days,” the Chicago native expressed.  

“Today and tomorrow are the culminating days where we show how much we’ve learned throughout the past couple of weeks,” he added.   

For Vilker’s team, today’s mission involves handling an ambush.  He says communication is crucial when it comes to Cadets knowing what their responsibilities are while on mission.

Cadets from 7th Regiment, Basic Camp wait for further instruction after an ambush during a field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky. July 28. Photo by Sade’ Wilson

Making sure “everyone’s squared away” becomes priority.  

He says the operation becomes much more difficult if there’s the slightest crack in the team’s cohesiveness.     

“Without teamwork, every mission fails.  You need a really solid team of motivated, dedicated people of integrity that know what they’re doing,” Vilker added.

With a couple more days out in the field, the Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp will soon reach the latter half of their 31 days here at Cadet Summer Training.  

Cadet Summer Training 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. 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