FORT KNOX, Ky., – U.S. Army Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in Group and Zero as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023.
“Grouping” is aligning firearm sights for accurate shooting while “zeroing” is calibrating the sights for accurate aiming at a specific distance. These skills are essential for Cadets to maintain shooting accuracy in a multitude of combat situations.
Cadet Grace Whaley from Norwich University shares her experience during Group & Zero.
“I was nervous, I am usually not a good shot and never really practiced shooting until I came here,” Whaley said. “This is my first time doing this stuff so I was really happy with how it went.
Building the Cadets Skills and Confidence are two of the main goals here at CST. Cadets come from all over with different backgrounds and skill sets.
“That’s the best group and zero I’ve ever done before honestly,” Whaley stated. “I am 100 percent more confident in how I am going to do tomorrow.”
Cadet Whaley was not the only one to go from apprehensive to confident, Cadet Jessica Mayer from University of Idaho had a similar experience.
“I do feel [prepared for tomorrow] because we were talking to the Captain and some of the Cadre and they all said that they would feel confident in shooting with what I have zeroed and what I have grouped,” Mayer stated. “They feel confident for tomorrow and that makes me feel more confident for tomorrow.”
There are many skills that go into grouping and zeroing, Mayer shared some of the top skills
she focused on today.
“I would definitely say your trigger squeeze, your breathing and your aim, if you are breathing wrong your shots are going to spray vertically, if your trigger squeezes wrong, they are going to spray horizontally and if your sights are wrong your aim will be messed up.” Mayer said. “I think those skills are really important to practice, especially with live rounds as well.” Cadets must mentally and physically prepare for all of the tasks that they go through here at CST. Cadets enhance their marksmanship abilities during group and zero which is vital
