On June 14, 2021, 4th Regiment Cadets attended Fire and Maneuver training at Fort Knox, Ky. Every Cadet learns how to effectively provide cover from enemy fire, for themselves and their battle buddy, using suppressive fire and maneuver techniques.

Though live rounds are not used for this exercise, Fire and Maneuver training ensures that, if ever faced with a real combat situation, Cadets would know how to efficiently communicate and provide cover for a comrade in arms. 

Cadet Marcellus Forbes said, “It gives us a better perspective to what our troops will be doing in real life.” When he’s not attending Advanced Camp, he is a Cadet at North Carolina A&T State University. 

Meeting new people and building camaraderie with others is significant to Forbes. “When you go into the Army, you have to have an open mind,” he elaborated. “Be open to different cultures, values, and people in general.”

Forbes has bonded with many new people since arriving for Advanced Camp, and one of them is Cadet Nicholas Flores, from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

Functioning together as battle buddies for this training event; using various fire and maneuver techniques and clear communication strategies, the pair successfully completed the training exercise. 

“Working with other Cadets from all across the country is awesome,” said Flores. “Once we become commissioned lieutenants, we’re going to be working with a bunch of brand new people.”

The tactical and interpersonal skills and knowledge that they gain at training events, like this one, play a pivotal role in developing them as future Army officers. Cadets, like Forbes and Flores, are not only learning from Cadre at Advanced Camp, but also from fellow Cadets. 

“There will always be somebody that knows something that you don’t,” said Forbes. “It really pushes you to try for more.”