FORT KNOX, Ky. – 5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets headed outdoors to practice marching procedures for the Drill and Ceremony Competitions July 23, 2018.
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets compete at the Drill and Ceremony Competition July 18, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Angela Yin)
Filled with the sounds of pacing boots and rhythmically chanting in the air, Cadets were organized and lined up in coordination with their fellow teammates.
Though some of the Cadets looked nervous about turns and specific footwork, each performance during the competition featured precision movements and marching skills.
Cadet Kenneth Excellent, Georgia Military College, said, “As Basic Camp Cadets, we are here to learn the basis for discipline and teamwork so that we’ll be able to march a unit.”
Mastery of specific skills assists motivate and lead Cadets break from the classroom environments. They will not only refine their leadership abilities but also use them in the real-world leadership situations.
Cadet Camille Thompson from Syracuse University and Chamyra Riddick from Virginia Tech University are being together as a battle buddy to each other during their Basic Camp summer training.
“We’re gonna to do this when we back to ROTC in the college,” Thompson said. “Learning this and having the time to perfect the details will definitely help us when we back to school.”
“Learning drill and ceremony also gives us a chance to help other Cadets who have to go through this,” Riddick said. “I feel good that we can actually give them tips right after doing this.”
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets having rest during the Drill and Ceremony Competition July 18, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Angela Yin)
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Most rose to their feet, yelled and high-fived each other.
Moving as a group is one of the most critical things for a military in every important ceremony. Coordination at a most basic level makes the unit feel united.
“We’ve met a lot of people and gotten really close to each other throughout 30 days,” Riddick said. “It’s a great experience that we have to do everything together: we eat together, shower together, sleep together.”
Drill and Ceremony embodies what the Basic Camp is about for these young Cadets.
Excellent told us, the Basic Camp experiences taught them many different tactics such as how to plan or conduct an ambush, how to assault the enemy, and how to march a unit.
“I’m really looking forward to my Advanced Camp and see how I’m doing with my unit,” he said.
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets compete at the Drill and Ceremony Competition July 18, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Angela Yin)
Starting off with faces full of fear and nervous, many of the Cadets even question their abilities and wonder the reason for being here in the field.
However, step by step, every Cadet will be able to march towards the bright way ahead after the training.
