FORT KNOX, Ky. — First Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets graduated today, completing the final event of their 31 days of training.
Cadets sent to Basic Camp learned about different Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers.
Commander of Troops, Cadet Kendall Henry, from Anderson College, salutes the colors during 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, graduation on July 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Basic Camp teaches Cadets the basic Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
“Basic Camps purpose is to give people who are interested in the Army a start,” Cadet Celeste Doiron, from Monument, Colorado, and attending California Polytechnic State University, said. “It kind of gives them a taste of the Army and [helps them decide] if it is something they want to do in the future.”
“Get Up There and Lead”
Some Cadets came to Fort Knox with two years of ROTC experience under their belt, but others came with no experience at all.
University of Texas at Austin Cadet Joseph Mabry, from Huston, Texas, started Basic Camp with two years of ROTC already completed.
“I think it is a learning experience. One of the cool things about Basic Camp is that you have people who have never touched anything in the Army and you also have people who have been in ROTC,” Mabry said. “It was nice to not just work on my own skills, but help develop the other leaders in my platoon and squad to make sure they are ready for next year as well.”
First Regiment, Basic Camp, concluded their 31 days of training as they graduated on July 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Basic Camp teaches Cadets the basic Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
One thing he learned and hopes to teach others about is how to lead.
Mabry learned how he wants to lead during a trip to the George Patton Museum, after one quote stuck with him.
“If you want an Army to fight and risk death, you’ve got to get up there and lead it. An Army is like spaghetti. You can’t push a piece of spaghetti, you’ve got to pull it.” – Gen. George S. Patton
Mabry learned how to lead from the front.
The Importance of Teamwork
Cadet Patrick Duffy, from San Antonio, Texas, and attending Saint Mary’s University, learned how to lead after coming into camp with little experience. He took every chance he got to learn.
Taking the time to listen paid off for Duffy.
A Company Commander, Cadet Jacob Wakeley, from the University of Kentucky, sings the “Army Song” with his company during 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, graduation on July 22 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Basic Camp teaches Cadets the basic Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers. | Photo by Reagan Zimmerman, CST Public Affairs Office
“[Basic Camp] taught me the importance of leadership and cohesion within the platoon. [Before], I didn’t realize the importance of comradery between leadership and the lower enlisted,” Duffy said. “Doing anything alone is impossible.”
Though Cadets in 1st Regiment came in with varying experience levels, they formed a team and accomplished 31 days of training.
“Everyone started off different but all together, we grew, and it was great to see that we all came out better than we were before,” University of the Virgin Islands Cadet George Millard said.
