Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in the Situational Training Exercise July 31, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Haley Brown
FORT KNOX, Ky.— According to the Situational Training Exercise, you must crawl before you walk. 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets crawled through their STX Lanes this morning July 31, 2018.
During the crawl phase of FTX, the Cadets are led through situational training by their Cadre.
Cadet Brandon Hummel, Pennsylvania State University, solidifies the importance of STX during Cadet Summer Training.
“This is the meat and potatoes of what the Army does really, there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff, but this is the front line stuff,” he continued, “no matter if you go infantry or not, you need to understand this part of the Army and what we do.”
Hummel explains the significance of being directed and advised by Cadre that have experience in the field.
Cadet Jonovan Huggins, Wheaton College, mans security during the STX July 31, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Haley Brown
“They walk us through different missions and scenarios that we’re going to have to lead on our own soon, it’s good practice for us and they have a lot of good information to give us,” he said, “they have so much knowledge, so listening to what they say and hearing their experiences is really important and really helps us understand why we do things, not just what we do.”
Sgt. 1st Class Erik Adams leads the Cadets through their STX Lanes and gives them helpful advice along the way.
Adams breaks down the logistics and the purpose of STX for Cadets.
Sgt. 1st Class Erik Adams listens to the AAR conducted after the STX July 31, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Haley Brown
“The purpose of the Situational Training Exercise is to put a Cadet in a situation that they may see in real life and to give them the experience base so if they do identify, or encounter that on an operation, they will know how to handle it.”
Adams reiterates the key elements for a Cadet to be successful during an STX.
“Coming in with an open mind is one of the best things you can do, every single program tends to train a little differently on each of these different missions,” he continues, “so coming in understanding that you’re going to learn some things is usually the best approach.”
Certain obstacles like weather can gravely affect Cadets moods and morale throughout the STX Lanes.
After a few rainy days in the field, Cadet Anna Barnes, Virginia Commonwealth University, relies on her positivity to get her through her training exercises.
Cadet Anna Barnes, Virginia Commonwealth University, participates in the AAR after the STX July 31, 2018 at Fort Knox, Ky. Photo by Haley Brown
“Especially in situations like this, if one person is negative, it spreads like a sickness,” she explains, “empathize with what everyone is going through, but be ready to not get stuck in that rut, because if you get stuck in a rut filled with negativity, it will filter throughout your whole platoon.”
Barnes believes that positivity is one of the only ways to persevere through bad weather and low morale.
“I think you just kind of have to smile through it, I know it’s super cheesy but unless you ‘embrace the suck’, it’s going to suck” she says with a smile on her face, “if the weather is bad and you’re complaining about the weather, everyone is going through these things, it’s just about the way you approach it.”
