By: Madison Thompson
FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second lieutenants, working as Cadre for 6th Regiment, Basic Camp, arrived at the Central Issuing Facility, July 27, to turn in equipment and gear during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Gear is issued to Cadre and Cadets alike to make sure that they are taken care of while out in the field training.
“We got to turn in our gear that we used during camp. We basically had to take all of our gear that we used such as our rucksacks and assault pack, cleaned them up and make sure it was clean before turning it in at CIF,” said 2nd Lt. Terence Watkins, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University.
Many different pieces of equipment were returned such as Flight Load Carriers, camel backs, rucksacks, canteens, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and raingear.
6th Regiment Basic CIF turn-in
July 27, 2017 (Photo by Roland Hesmondhalgh)
The second lieutenants recognize that it is beneficial for having them get equipment alongside the Cadets.
“It’s good, especially for Cadre and second lieutenants to get equipment, because the Cadets see that their leaders need the same equipment they do. So, it’s kind of leading by example. You also use it in the field so that they can see how to use it and learn how to use the equipment properly,” stated 2nd Lt. Michael Adams, a graduate from Morgan State University.
Second lieutenants know that some equipment and gear is favored above others. They offered their own personal favorite pieces of equipment.
“So, one thing every Soldier and Cadet loves is their woobie, which is kind of like an Army issued blanket and really nice to have, or their poncho liner. The poncho keeps you dry at night. It’s one of the biggest things because we did get rained on,” said 2nd Lt. Morgan Menaker, a graduate from Virginia Military Institute.
Despite the long equipment list of over 34 items, Cadre suggested two items that Cadets should always have with them that is not on the required items list. Pen and paper.
6th Regiment Basic CIF turn-in
July 27, 2017 (Photo by Roland Hesmondhalgh)
“As a Soldier and an Officer, you’re supposed to have paper and pen because you’re always supposed to know when to take notes,” said Adams. “You never know when you’re going to be given a valuable piece of information. So, jotting it down somewhere in a place where you can remember it helps. People will likely use the excuse that they have their cell phone, but what if your cell phone dies? It’s always good to have paper and pencil.”
“One of the things that I advise my Cadets to always have is just pen and paper, wherever you go. Whenever you’re walking around, you never know who you’re going to walk up on. They may say something very important and you might just want to pull out a notepad and pen to write it down,” said Watkins.
Now that CST 2017 is almost complete, Cadre hope that Basic Camp Cadets received the most out of their training experience.
“I hope they took away how to interact with others. A lot of Cadets here came from different parts of the country. We have Cadets from Alaska, Alabama, Maine, New York, all different parts of the country. When you bring them together and you give them a task, you have to put things that you’ve learned growing up aside,” said Watkins.
“I hope that they took away an experience. Learning what to do in certain cases when using certain equipment or anything like that,” said Adams. “I hope that they took away leadership skills and also confidence as well.”
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
