“When you’re crawling, it felt like forever,” said Cadet Thomas Damsgard, University of Alabama. “I felt like I was crawling for a mile.”  An obstacle that is approximately 100 meters long stands between Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, and Cadet Summer Training graduation.  The Night Infiltration Course fires live rounds above Cadets while they low crawl the distance under and over obstacles to include logs. Sand makes it into every crevice of their uniform as they drag themselves, as well as the additional weight of a plated vest and helmet through the course.  The extra weight makes it physically exhausting, […]

Basic Camp Cadets packed their rucks and went out to their Field Training Exercise (FTX) during Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2022.  FTX is done at a smaller scale when compared to Advanced Camp, because for some Cadets this could be a new experience being out in the field. Missions for the Basic Camp Cadets include ambush, attack, and movement to contact.  2nd Lt. Cole Arbaugh, Task Force Badger Cadre, went through CST last summer and returns as Cadre for Basic Camp Cadets. As a future Military Intelligence officer with a branch detail Infantry, the lieutenant […]

Drill Sergeants and newly commissioned Second Lieutenants helped to direct 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets through the Rugger’s Rope Course during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 15, 2022. In the mix of these senior leaders were a group of Cadets that have been at CST 2022 longer than most of the Cadre this summer. This group of Cadets recently graduated from CST less than a month ago and now serve as MSIII mentors for Basic Camp.  Prior to graduating from Advanced Camp, senior Army ROTC Cadets have the opportunity to serve as MSIII mentors for Basic Camp regiments […]

The Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC) is designed to strengthen the leadership capabilities of Cadets, pushing them out of their comfort zones as they devise unconventional solutions to obstacles in their way.  With the course completed, the Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, stopped to reflect on the leaders in their own lives, and the people that inspired them to pursue a leadership role themselves.   “My grandfather is what I think of as a leader. Somebody that’s strong and vocal, and can be clear and concise,” said Cadet Jackson Lemmon from Eastern Kentucky University.  With his grandfather as a strong role […]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence Award This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by Regimental cadre board. Cadet Asher Freese, Texas A&M University First Command Financial Services Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the leadership traits necessary to encourage teamwork, improve unit cohesion, and reinforce mission accomplishment. Cadet Raymond Janeczek, University Of New Hampshire USAA Warrior Ethos Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the Army Profession, Ethics, and Officership while best exemplifying the warrior spirit. Cadet Olivia Micalizzi, University of Vermont Armed Forces Bank […]

From fleet to field, Sergio Almeida, 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, made the shift from enlisted Navy Sailor to Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet.  “I chose to enlist the first time around for a sense of that typical, wanting to find yourself, wanting independence, wanting to be my own person,” said Almeida.  After being the first member of his family to join the military, Almeida trained for a year in San Diego before being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Truxton in 2012.  “I got to really learn what the military was,” he said.  During his six years in […]

Timeline of events and memories from Cadet Summer Training 2021.

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Aaron Beaumont, Wichita State University Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Catherine Witte, Clemson University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Brian Gerard, Bucknell University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Hayley Farmer, University of North Georgia Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Kawen Huang, San Jose State Reserve Organization of America Award Cadet Jabrilyn Chandler, Hampton University National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Kavan Naughton, University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Rose Perezsoto, University of Hawaii at Manoa First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Soyoung Pilcher , University of Central Oklahoma Armed […]

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Luke Vandenbergh, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Garrett Wood, Tarleton State University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Grant Norman, The Citadel First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Lucas King, Lehigh University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Vlaun Samuels, University of West Florida Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Victoria Ann, Virginia Tech Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Alden Cayea, State University of New York at Brockport National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Carlito Ancheta, Norwich University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Jacob Blair, University of New Hampshire […]

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet James Shottenkirk, Methodist University Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Riginst Macenat, Florida International University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Kaylee Lichtenstein, University of Iowa First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Ana Khvedelidze, West Chester University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Jonah Andrews, Point Loma Nazarene College Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Jacob Horwitz, Georgetown University Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Austin Grabill, Kansas State University National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Jack Anderson, Texas A&M University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Cadet Carlos Delva, Fayetteville State University Armed Forces Services Corporation AwardCadet […]

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Maxwell Congrove, The Ohio State University Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Lauryn Jeans, Claremont McKenna College Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Nicholas Vosburgh, Appalachian State University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Adam Arel, Texas A&M University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Steven Carson, University of Arizona Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Ethan Gilmore, Virginia Military Institute Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Edgar Christie, University of North Carolina at Pembroke National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Jacob Arquisola, University of Pittsburgh Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet John Stovall, Virginia Tech Armed Forces […]

Fort Knox, Ky. — It is time to celebrate the first graduation of Cadet Summer Training 2021. 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets graduated on Brooks field at 9 a.m. on June 29, 2021.  As they prepared to leave Fort Knox, Cadets reflected on their time in Advanced Camp.  Cadet Brendon Edwards, Prairie View A&M University, said he feels he has learned a lot in his training both in soldering skills and about leadership. “The biggest thing I have learned is that everyone has their own leadership style,” Edwards said. “Every interaction with people can be different. Certain things will work with […]

Fort Knox, KY. – 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are nearing the end of their time in Cadet Summer Training.   Before their graduation and heading home, there is another important task to attend to, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) blood drive.  The ASBP has a mission to provide quality blood products to healthcare operations globally.  One way they meet that mission is to work with Cadet Summer Training.  Col. Jason Corley from the ASBP, says that both he and the staff of ASBP are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Cadet Summer Training. “We receive tremendous support from Cadet Command […]

The U. S. Army Cadet Command Ranger Challenge is a demanding mental and physical team sport that puts Cadets through a grueling 2-day competition designed to enhance leader development, develop team cohesion, and to encourage healthy competition among the 274 Army ROTC Battalions. The Challenges take place over the Fall and Spring semesters, with each Brigade responsible for planning and executing their own concept that inspires excellence through rigorous physical and mental challenges that reflect the tempo, uncertainty and tasks of combat operations. The Ranger Challenge has a long history in Army ROTC, and Cadets who compete and complete a Ranger […]

By Sgt. Maj. Dean Welch, CST Public Affairs (Fort Knox, Ky.) — “Sir, this concludes today’s ceremony. Leadership, excellence.” With those words spoken by Cadet Steven Canington, an ROTC student at Grand Canyon University, 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated and closed its 37-day training event at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Aug. 18, 2019. With it, Cadet Summer Training 2019 ended. Many of the 11th Regiment cadets, numbering 587, now return to their hometowns for what is left of the summer before beginning their final year of college.  A year that ends next May with a college graduation and an Army commissioning ceremony. […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIDO7AiL–g[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – Tanks, a helicopter, a boat, light tactical vehicles and more, all filled Keyes Park for Branch Orientation. Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp prepared for commissioning next May by spending the day learning about the different Army branches and the opportunities they each provide. Along with insight from branch officers, Cadets were also given the opportunity to see and get hands-on with equipment. Throughout the Cadets found themselves surprised by all the branches and some of the opportunities they may have not been aware were open to them. “There are people like me who went […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – “When you run alone you run fast. But when you run together, you run far.” This African proverb was shard with Cadets during their time in Botswana with the Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP). Cadets spent 20 days traveling through the country while engaging with the Botswana Defense Forces (BDF), completing humanitarian work, and enhancing their understanding of another culture. During the trip the group had multiple key leader engagements. A key leader engagement is when a United States Army Officer meets with an official of a local village or a village elder. The Cadets enjoyed the […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Obstacle Courses can bring out the best and worst in people. It definitely gives Basic Camp Cadets the opportunity to practice leadership and teamwork. Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp spent today going through the Dunagan Team Development Course at Fort Knox. “Today has been awesome,” Cadet Thais Rodriguez, from Puerto Rico, and attending the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, said. “We started a little bit rough, but it always starts rough and you get better.” As they maneuvered their way through the obstacles Cadets started noticing some struggles. “One of my biggest struggles so far […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Many Cadets join the military to carry on the family legacy. One such cadet is Ian House. House’s family history with the military goes back to the Revolutionary War and currently extends to his father and brother who are serving in the Navy. “My dad served for 21 years, my brother is serving right now and I’m here serving,” the Snohomish, Washington native said. For a majority House’s life, his father was a Naval Aviator, but for all of his life he has been a part of the military family. This wasn’t the only reason for his […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – The only noises that could be heard this morning from the woods of AO Panther, were the chirping and humming of birds and bugs. And machine guns, as the raid began. Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp spent the morning conducting a raid during the Panther portion of their Field Training Exercise (FTX). During the FTX Cadets have the opportunity to rotate through various leadership roles while being assessed by Cadre. Some of those roles included Platoon Leader (PL), Platoon Sergeant (PSG), Squad Leader, and Team Leader. Platoon Leader Cadet Aedon Hann, from the University of New […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Basic Camp Cadets will train in the air, in the woods, on the range and even on the track but today 5th Regiment will train in the classroom. Cadets spent the morning training in Map Reading and Terrain Association. Cadet Brenden Gleeson, from Valley Forge Military College said he was enjoying the break from Kentucky’s midsummer heat and humidity. “Training is going pretty good,” the Ridgefield, Connecticut native said. “It is nice that we are in an air-conditioned building considering its very hot outside.” Cadet Michael Vannote, a student attending Valley Forge Military College, also enjoyed the […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Why are we here? To fight. Why do we fight? To win. Cadet from 2nd regiment loudly called out this chant while beginning day two of Fire Team Movement training. “The weather is nice and it is a good training experience,” Cadet Ny’Asia Campbell from Dillon, South Carolina, and attending Claflin University, said. “It is a good day.” The Cadets spent the morning learning and practicing skills that will be required of them as they finsih Fire Team Movement training and head into the field. “We have been learning tactical skills and things for the field out […]