Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their Group and Zero training at Canby Hill Range, Fort Knox, Ky., July 12, 2023.
Group and Zero is an event that all Cadets must participate in to complete their training to become a future Army officer in the United States Army. It is a challenging exercise that requires patience, accuracy, and a steady aim.
Cadet Bryson Matthew Quiambao from Sacramento State University shares his experience during Group and Zero training as he gears up.
“For me, I usually shoot right-handed, but I tried something new because I found out that I could be left hand dominant,” Quiambao said. “They told me to fix it because I usually shoot with my right arm, but I’m left eye dominant.”
The Cadets must learn the proper way to shoot if they are to become full-fledged leaders in the U.S. Army. The Cadre review the shots that have been fired at the paper targets after each round to instruct the Cadets on ways to improve their aim.
“Back in my school, I was a pretty bad shot because it always took me a couple of rounds to qualify,” Quiambao said. “Now, I feel pretty confident that we’ll qualify for the next few days that we do this.”
Cadet Quiambao wasn’t the only Cadet that became more confident after adjusting to the rifle on the range. Cadet Matthew Taylor from Christopher Newport University also had to correct his aim to zero-in, properly, on his target.
“Whoever had my rifle last was a way different shooter than me,” Taylor stated. “I had to adjust a lot, but by my third adjustment, I got it to be within about an inch diameter circle, so that ended up pretty good.”
Adjusting the scope of the weapon as well as body position when aiming are key components for improving accuracy at the Group and Zero range. There are many things the Army teaches that fall directly into Cadet’s past strengths.
“I’ve had some practice with this before, and I’m used to shooting with iron sights and those are a little more tough than this type of CCI scope”, Taylor stated. “It was definitely an easier change.”
In a short amount of time, Cadets were able to learn from their mistakes and qualify during the group and zero. Cadet Quiambao and Cadet Taylor also share what prompted them to join the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“I just wanted to make my parents proud because we have a military family,” stated Quiambao. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to into the reserves just so I could start doing a PTA school or physical therapy school.”
Family ties play a large part in many Cadets’ decision to join the Army. Events like Group and Zero are just the beginning of these future Army officers training.
“My father and grandfather both went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, but me and my little brother switched and joined the Army,” Taylor said. “I’m really glad I did it, and I wouldn’t be able to pay for college without it and it’s something I always wanted to do, anyway.”
