FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 4th Regiment, Basic Camp, Alpha Company, were instilled with the seven key Army values June 18, taking a break from the heat with some indoor training.
Sergeant Victor Jimenez, originally from Cayey, Puerto Rico, is one of the Drill Sergeants from the Reserve drill sergeant unit stationed in St. Petersburg, Florida. He will be assisting with Cadet Summer Training until July 7.
Drill Sgt. Victor Jimenez listened closely as a Cadet recited the Army Values. (Photo by Breanne Ward)
“You are getting a weird opportunity to train your supervisors.” said Jimenez. “Our oldest Cadets are going to commission and become platoon leaders, so we want to instill the basic mentality of the Army’s values, the Army’s customs and courtesies. This is the perfect time to instill all of the most necessary skills into these young leaders’ minds and their mindsets so that when they get to the leadership position, they already understand how the system works.”
The Cadets were taught about each key Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
Cadets were introduced to these values and were asked to define them in their own perspectives before being taught how the Army views and sees the values. Following the teaching, Cadets were immersed in a series of practical exercises and scenarios that allowed them to test what they learned. The hope of the practical exercises was that Cadets would come out of the training with a different perspective, the Army perspective.
“I really hope that we can instill in their minds a change in the bad habits that they bring with them from the civilian world that don’t add up to being a valuable member of the team in the military.” shared Jimenez. “We are all from different walks of life and have different backgrounds, but when we are a part of this organization in the Army, we need to be able to work as a team, to work together, and living the Army values will definitely set you up for success in that.”
Cadets were shown presentations and videos during Army Values training to further instill the learning. (Photo by Breanne Ward)
Jimenez expressed that his belief of a good leader lays within someone being accountable for his actions as well those of his subordinates.
As Cadets of 4th Regiment, Basic Camp, went through their training, they repeated the Soldier’s Creed multiple times, further instilling the key values in their minds and leaving all who attended with the reminder: “I am an American Soldier!”
Cadet Summer Training will bring about 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
