Cadet Shawn Frank, Towson University, defends his platoon behind his weapon at the FTX on July 7th, 2018. (Photo by Haley Brown)
FORT KNOX, Ky. — Early this morning, Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp tested their strengths in leadership and communication by engaging in a Field Training Exercise.
The purpose of the FTX is to improve and examine Cadets’ cooperation skills within themselves and also within their platoon, while preparing them for possible combat situations.
The FTX is a physical, as well as, mental challenge for Cadets.
Cadet Jack Korbitz, University of Wyoming, explains what the main components are for a successful FTX.
“The main things to have a successful FTX is good communication between all the squads, everyone needs to know what they’re going to do,” he said, “You don’t want people not on the same page because then everything is going to fall apart.”
Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in a Field Training Exercise on July 7th, 2018 at Fort Knox, KY. (Photo by Haley Brown)
Korbitz emphasized the importance of the FTX to Cadet Summer Training.
“I think it’s really important, it teaches you more about yourself and your limits, and you can figure out what you’re really made of.”
It is imperative for a platoon to work hard to keep the morale high.
Cadet Diana Quezada, Ohio State University, shares her secret on how her fellow Cadets keep their attitudes positive and build teamwork within their platoon.
“One of the biggest things they say is, ‘Embrace the suck’, so we’re all here together and we’re all going to be here together until the end,” she continues, “If one of us goes down, it all goes down with them, so we know we have to keep each other up and keep our morale up high.”
Cadet Diana Quezada, Ohio State University, walks to the AAR site after finishing an FTX mission on July 7th, 2018. (Photo by Haley Brown)
She offers some advice on how a platoon can improve their communication skills to get the job done efficiently.
“You need to be able to talk to each other, be able to be comfortable talking to your leadership, and your leadership needs to pass down any information they know down to their subordinates,” she said, “that’s one of the biggest things that helps our team work.”
