FORT KNOX, Ky., – 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spent the day participating in the warrior skills training, in Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023.
Cadets went through eight stations, including learning how to use claymore mines, employ hand grenades, and complete special team tasks.
The special teams tasks teach Cadets how to move as a squad, move through dangerous areas, react to contact, check enemy prisoners of war, and prepare injured friendlies for evacuation.
Cadet Jonathan Michael, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, reflects on the importance of the warrior skills training event during Cadet Summer Training.
“It is important we do this today because we are about to head out to the field for close to two weeks,” Michael said. “These are things we need to know when we’re running the missions, not as much grenades which is more for the future, but things like EPW and then how to move together as a squad, as a team.”
Michael is in his junior year of college, and this is first year at Advanced Camp.
“When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to go to college and become an officer, but I decided to go through basic training first,” Michael said. “I became a military police officer in the reserves, after that, I took some time to get ready for college.”
Michael completed basic training back in the beginning of 2019. When he decided he was ready to go to college, he joined his university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
“When I got there, I had no clue what I was doing, I was very confused,” Michael said.
Michael’s next career goal is to graduate next year and become an infantry officer.
“It took me a while to get on track, now I’m finally at camp,” Michael said. “I am very excited to work towards my career.”
One day, Michael hopes to join the Green Berets, U.S. Army Special Forces.
Cadet Joseph Langley, Arizona State University, is another Cadet who has prior service experience.
“I went to OSUT [One Station Unit Training]; it was 22 weeks,” Langley said. “I did grenades. Pretty much everything we’re doing today, I did in basic training.”
Langley graduated from the OSUT training in March of 2020. He then went back to college at ASU and joined their ROTC program.
“I’ve always had family in the military,” Langley said. “I wanted to keep that legacy going. Also, a big impact on me was my stepdad.”
Langley’s stepdad served nine years in the Army as an infantryman.
“I wanted to be that person that was out there doing the same thing,” Langley said.
After joining the infantry, Langley was introduced to the ROTC program by his stepdad. Cadets that go through the program can commission and become an officer in the U.S. Army.
“Ultimately, I just want to become a better leader and learn,” Langley said. “Coming to CST is a great way to get that leadership skills to be able to lead other Soldiers and eventually, be able to lead them into battle if that’s what it comes to.”
With just over two more weeks until they graduate, Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advance Camp will apply their learned tactics and techniques during their hands-on field training. Cadets will go through multiple simulated missions spending time out in the field developing leadership skills and tactical field operations.
