FORT KNOX Ky.- What is weapons assessment? Why is it important that the Cadets learn how to properly dismantle and reassemble their weapons? What is Drill and Ceremony? If you have ever pondered on these questions, luckily for you we have the answers!
We spoke to a few of the drill sergeants who were leading the Cadets and they were more than happy to share their answers on the matter.
1st Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets learned weapons check and performed weapons maintenance, learning how to assemble and disassemble their firearms June 12, 2018 during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by: Madison Thompson
Sergeant Kenneth Davidson answered a few of those questions stating, “today the Cadets are disassembling and reassembling the M16 rifles. They are also going learn how to do a functions check and clearing the rifle. This important for the Cadets to know in the event they receive a rifle from someone they can verify the rifle is cleared for safety so no one gets hurt.”
“It’s also important they know how to do this for cleaning purposes, to make sure it’s operable when they get out on the range and use it to engage targets or fire at specific targets,” he elaborated.
Cadet Nicholas Driver of Virginia State University gave us some perspective from a Cadet, and the challenges he faced during this exercise.
1st Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets learned weapons check and performed weapons maintenance, learning how to assemble and disassemble their firearms June 12, 2018 during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by: Madison Thompson
“Yeah it was definitely a challenge for me simply because I have never handled a weapon up close and personal, let alone dismantled one before. The rifle has several parts to it and each part has a specific function and role,” shared Cadet Driver.
Driver continued, “luckily for us, we have some amazing teachers who are patient enough to work with us when we fail, show us the corrections to our mistakes, and overall help us improve as Cadets.”
This is a challenging exercise for the cadets, luckily, they have Lieutenants who had recently graduated Advanced Camp. This was highly beneficial for them because it wasn’t too long ago that they were in the Cadets shoes.
“I came here last year so I know exactly what’s it’s like,” stated MS3 Trainer, Cadet Danielle Wilson. “I had some experience back home so this was a good refresher. When I see these Cadets, I see a younger version of myself who was eager to learn and take in everything the Cadre were willing to teach me.”
1st Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets learned weapons check and performed drill and ceremony June 12, 2018 during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by: Madison Thompson
Towards the end of weapons assessment, the Cadets began Drill and Ceremony. “The purpose of Drill and Ceremony is to make sure we look uniform when walking from one place to another. That everyone is on the same step and the same page. If we cannot march as a team we cannot look like a team,” added Wilson.
