Fort Knox, Ky. — The sunlight was waning and so was the energy of the Cadets as they completed the 12-mile ruck march.
“And the Army goes rucking along!” 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets and Cadre complete the 12-mile Ruck March as a company on June 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The 12-mile Ruck March is the last event Cadets must complete before graduation. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
The march began at 7 p.m. and took around 4 hours to complete.
The march was conducted in a tactical manner meaning the entire regiment moved in formation for the duration of the march. At the 11th mile checkpoint, Cadets regrouped, fixed their formations and rucked the last mile together.
“The ruck is good,” Cadet Serene Farj, from Somerville, New Jersey, a student at the University of Virginia, said. “The morale is high. It is our ruck to freedom. We’re all ready.”
During the tail end of the ruck Cadets began calling out marching cadences. These calls helped to keep the platoons in step and raise morale.
The calls varied by platoon and helped the platoon to continue to bond throughout this last event.
Cadet Matthew Martinez, from Norwich University, acts as the guideon bearer for Alpha Company, 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, during the 12-mile Ruck March on June 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The 12-mile Ruck March is the last event Cadets must complete before graduation. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
“We’ve all just supported each other through the entire thing,” Cadet Brett Leasure from Philadelphia, attending San Houston State University said.
WestPoint Cadet Justin Cooper from West Chester, Pennsylvania said he enjoyed the evening weather and time outside with his newfound friends.
“I am bonding with my mates and having a good time enjoying the nature, it is a beautiful night,” Cooper said.
Upon completion of the 12-mile journey, Cadets were greeted with congratulatory banners with the words “Mission Accomplished.” Regimental Cadre along with Brig. Gen. Munera were there to celebrate with the Cadets as they marched in.
The ruck march from the field to the barracks was a victory march for these Cadets marking the end of their time at Advanced Camp.
“I am just excited to go home. That is all I am thinking about,” Leasure said.
1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets and Cadre complete the 12-mile Ruck March as a company on June 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The 12-mile Ruck March is the last event Cadets must complete before graduation. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
As the Cadets head through this next week, their energy will pick up to carry them to graduation on June 29th.
“I am ready to be done with this. Everyone is excited to be done with this. The motivation is being done with the camp,” Cadet Troy Gingerich from Washington State University said.
