FORT KNOX, Ky. – As a team and as individuals, the Cadets of 8th Regiment, Basic Camp learned the basic movements essential to their safety in the field.
“The Cadets are getting a baseline level of skills, whether it be in classroom sessions or out here in IMT [Individual Movement Techniques],” said 2LT Matthew Asis.
Cadets learn proper Individual Movement Techniques (IMT) during Fire Team Movement Training. Fort Knox, Ky. July 30, 2017. Photo by Hope Nelson.
With weapon in hand and battle buddy by their side, Cadets made their way to safety through a barrier-filled lane. Proper communication and movement were vital to them making in across.
Cadet Tyriek Wyley explained, “These are like a simulation of what we would be doing on the battlefield – tactics that we would be doing on the battlefield, movements and other basic things that will help keep us safe.”
In sessions before the simulation, Cadets were thoroughly prepared and learned the skills they would need to complete the training.
“We’ve gotten classes on the three movements – low crawl, high crawl, and three to five second buddy rush. Right now, we’re working in the lanes to get a practical application of those movements,” said Cadet Michael Norton.
Not only does this training prepare the Cadets for the rest of Advanced Camp, but also for their future career.
“It definitely helps a lot of Cadets and prepares ones that have never seen an atmosphere or done anything like this. [It] prepares them really well for FTX [Field Training Exercise] and STX [Situational Training Exercise],” said Norton, “And we’ll use it in the field when we’re going on in our career.”
Keeping the training as realistic as possible, the lanes are equipped with elements and noises the future Army officers might see if deployed.
“You have to take it very seriously because these situations can be life or death when it’s real, so we practice them like they’re real. We have blank firing adapters [BFAs], they make real noises and real sounds and everything is very real here so we’re prepared when we actually have to deal with the situation,” said Cadet Shelby Cavazos.
Cadet moves through barriers during Fire Team Movement Training. Fort Knox, Ky. July 30, 2017. Photo by Hope Nelson.
As the Cadets continue on in Basic Camp, they understand the importance of the basics they have been learning.
“Because every ROTC program is different, we want to make sure everyone has this baseline level of training so when they go to their schools they’re a little bit better off,” said Asis, “It definitely gets them used to the Army environment.”
Mastering these skills now could very well save their lives in the future.
Cavazos said, “I feel very prepared. I’m actually brand new to ROTC, so this makes me feel a lot more comfortable getting this preparation and then going in [to situations] with this training. I’m learning a lot and I really appreciate how real they make it.”
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
