FORT KNOX, KY –Tenth Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets arrived Sunday afternoon at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Day Zero to start their Cadet Summer Training (CST).
10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadet Shannon Zych from the College at Brockport, State University of New York repacks her belongings during bag check at Fort Knox, KY on July 7, 2019. | Photo by Hannah Hedden, CST Public Affairs Office
About 600 Cadets arrived to start their 37 days of CST. Upon arrival, Cadets began with checking-in, organizing and accounting for their belongings.
Over the course of the next 37 days, 10th Regiment Cadets will take part in various events such as the Rappel Tower, the Land Navigation course, Field Training Exercises (FTX), the CBRN Confidence Chamber, Hand Grenades and Weapons Qualification.
10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadet Devon Matz from Dickinson College helps load the moving truck with Cadets’ luggage at Fort Knox, KY on July 7, 2019. | Photo by Hannah Hedden, CST Public Affairs Office
What Cadets will learn most, though, is to hone in on their leadership skills.
Cadet Thomas Swayne, a student from the University of Delaware, that is majoring in Biochemistry believes this experience at CST will help him in his future career of being in the Armed Forces for Infectious Disease Research.
“You’re always going to have to lead no matter what. As you grow up people are going to look up to you from every walk of life and this is the best place to learn that kind of leadership,” stated Cadet Swayne.
While most Cadets have only experienced the ROTC life, some Cadets are prior enlisted andwant to go down the path to become an officer in the Army.
“I didn’t like the leadership I had [on active duty], so what better way to influence and become that leader,” Cadet Jasmyne Stinson, from Howard University, said.
Cadet Stinson has been active duty for eight years and wanted to experience the Army from a different perspective. Stinson was a staff sergeant that decided to go Green to Gold. Green to Gold is a program that allows enlisted soldiers to return to school to complete a degree while also earning commission as an Army officer.
10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadet Cadet Ronald Harness from the University of New Hampshire hydrates and relaxes during arrival at Fort Knox, KY on July 7, 2019. | Photo by Hannah Hedden, CST Public Affairs Office
Cadet Ronald Harness, from the University of New Hampshire, followed in his father’s footsteps of joining the Army. Harness was previously enlisted as well and had always wanted to be an officer in the Army so when the opportunity presented itself, he took it.
When asked what he was looking forward to during CST, Harness stated, “I’m just looking to sharpen my leadership skills, exercise what I’ve already learned from my past and just implement it to the next future officers and working together and building a strong community.”
The overall goal of Advanced Camp is to train and test Cadets for their potential to become an officer in the Army. Cadets are tested mentally and physically which will ultimately help them develop the leadership skills needed in a position of power.
10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets receive instructions for getting their bags checked upon arrival at Fort Knox, KY on July 7, 2019. | Photo by Hannah Hedden, CST Public Affairs Office
