FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 4^th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed their last must attempt event, the 12-mile ruck, July 8.

Cadets started the ruck from a site near their Field Training Exercise location in the woods outside of base at 3 a.m. with the first of Alpha Company arriving at the finish line at 6:13 a.m.

Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp complete their 12 mile ruck march at Fort Knox, Ky., July 8, 2019. | Photo by Dustin Massengill, CST Public Affairs Office.

Some of the regimental Cadre go to the finish line to help prepare for the Cadet’s arrival and be there to congratulate them for completing all of the main hurdles between them and Graduation.

The Cadets walked into the finish line as “Flight of the Bumblebee” blasted from where breakfast would be served. Cadre congratulated Cadets for their success telling them to, “Take this home,” and “Remember what you did.”

Cadet Tyler Pak, University of Texas at Austin, was excited to have the march and training nearly finished.

“I’m excited to get rid of this poison ivy, and play some video games, I’ve been having withdraws,” he said.

Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp complete their 12 mile ruck march at Fort Knox, Ky., July 8, 2019. | Photo by Dustin Massengill, CST Public Affairs Office.

Cadet Justice Woods, The Citadel, said it’s been a long hot training. “It’s been a grueling 37 days.”

But the end goal is all it takes to get him through training. “Honestly, the potential to serve your country, do something great, make a change, be that little one percent, provide for the family, see the world, it’s a bunch of stuff,” Woods said.

Both Cadets offered insight and advice for future Cadets nervous about Cadet Summer Training.

“I take it one meal at a time, the food isn’t great, but I’m just counting calories,” Pak said. “Be comfortable with being uncomfortable for a while.”

Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp complete their 12 mile ruck march at Fort Knox, Ky., July 8, 2019. | Photo by Dustin Massengill, CST Public Affairs Office.

“Make good battle buddies, get really friendly with your platoon, if you help them, they will help you and together as a platoon you will all make it. Just be a team player. That honestly works,” said Woods.

The Cadets quickly started to unwind after returning from the field for the last time. Cadets playfully wrestled, sang, took photos, and balanced large plates of food.

They will spend the next few days cleaning and preparing for family day July 13 and graduation July 14.