FORT KNOX, Ky. – Basic Camp Cadets from 2nd Regiment spent their last morning celebrating their successful completion of Cadet Summer Training at Brooks Field. “You will fondly remember your squad leaders and team members who helped you succeed here at Fort Knox, while you battled the ticks, the bugs and probably even the occasional snake,” said Maj. Gen. Donna Martin. Martin is the commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, and was the guest speaker during the graduation. When Cadets arrived 26 June, many of them had no military experience and after 31 days [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp learned first aid at Heard Park, July 23. The Army teaches Advanced Camp Cadets the basics of Tactical Combat Casualty Care while at camp. After they commission as second lieutenants they will receive more in-depth medical training. Cadet Nicholas Newel, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, was a prior enlisted soldier participating in training. “We are going over how to stop the bleeding,” Newel said, “and how to save someone’s life. That is the overall goal.” After going through the large group lecture Cadets were split into groups of five. Newel [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in Hand Grenade Qualification at Christensen Hand Grenade Range July 19. Cadet Summer Training can be split into two major categories, leaderships development and confidence building. This training is an example of a confidence exercise. “It’s definitely a confidence booster,” said Grant Carstens, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “You do get to hold a live hand grenade in your hand, so it’s about building confidence in yourself and the ability to throw something that could potentially blowup in your hand.” Cadre often remind Cadets they might have to ask their future Soldiers [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp spent the day learning the tactical combat casualty care at Heard Park, July 15. “On this site a Cadet learns to save a life,” said Lt. Col. Danielle Rodondi. “We teach them how to evaluate a casualty. But the whole goal here is for them to get first aid skills that they can use anywhere.” Rodondi is an Army ROTC military science instructor at Augusta University and the officer in charge at the first aid training site. “What I really enjoy about this site is, where in the world can you [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in Squad Movement Drills, July 14. Before Advanced Camp Cadets enter the field for their field training exercise they learn how to set up patrol bases and what to expect from some common situations. Squad Movement Drills allow Cadets to choose what they feel they need to work on before entering the field at Wolverine, or the walk phase of field training, the slowest and easiest of the exercises. Army ROTC instructor Master Sgt. Mark Alston, Duke University, said the Cadets will start slow by setting up their base and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp were joined by the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Dr. E. Casey Wardynski, for branch orientation, July 11. Wardynski supervises manpower, personnel and reserve components affairs of the Department of the Army. He is also the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army on issues such as training, human resources, equal opportunity and other critical matters. Branch orientation allows Cadets to see what different career opportunities are available for Army officers. Cadets who know what they would like to branch are able to explore job duties and training related to their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp participated in the high ropes confidence course July 9. The confidence course is designed to force Cadets to confront their fears, learn to trust the equipment provided and promote team motivation and communication. The course consists of an obstacle course and two towers to be climbed. The 35-foot obstacle course has multiple events such as rope crawls, ropewalks and a zip line. The 45-foot alpine tower forces Cadets to be creative and confident as they ascend the tower. Lastly the 55-foot rock wall is the simplest but tallest feature on the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed their last must attempt event, the 12-mile ruck, July 8. Cadets started the ruck from a site near their Field Training Exercise location in the woods outside of base at 3 a.m. with the first of Alpha Company arriving at the finish line at 6:13 a.m. Some of the regimental Cadre go to the finish line to help prepare for the Cadet’s arrival and be there to congratulate them for completing all of the main hurdles between them and Graduation. The Cadets walked into the finish line as “Flight of [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp were introduced to physical readiness training, July 4. The training is a collection of strength exercises and stretches such as, push-ups, squats, lunges, and wind-mills. The physical training is led by Drill Sergeants, who mix motivation with stress inducing tactics like screaming, demanding time restraints and scrutiny to detail. Cadets are expected to work as a unit even when performing personal training. Leading the Drill Sergeants to extend workouts until everyone is able to complete them together. This stress causes Cadets to be responsible for building each other up when some [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp continued land navigation training today as they learn to plot points and identify terrain marks during terrain association map reading, July 3. Cadets of all skill levels become equals during the training. Cadets with no experience can expect to leave the training with a valuable skill set for any Solider. “I think we are all confident now,” said Cadet Kristen Maxwel, University of Delaware. “We have all been doing this for a few days, but some of us do have more experience than others and we try to help.” Maxwel and [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. — Cadets from 4th Regiment spent day 25 of Advanced Camp  tackling another field training exercise, July 2. Cadets fought through a sticky heat as they took an assault objective at 8:30 a.m. The goal was a clear — set up a defense in a open, red-clay field encircled by three car-sized mounds covered in trees and small foliage. Oppositional forces stay nestled into the greenery. Acting platoon sergeant, Cadet Brian Velez, from Florida State University, said the mission started last night during the planning phase. “Last night we started planning the mission, concept of operations and at [...]

FORT KNOX – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp was given the honor of being the last group of Cadets to be commissioned during Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, August 8, 2018. The warm lighting of Waybur Theatre and the polished notes of the Army brass band set the tone for this momentous step in the lives of these three women and seven men. This End of Camp Commissioning comes as the last hurrah for these 10 new second lieutenants. Maj. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., Commanding General of Cadet Command and Fort Knox, was the guest speaker at the commissioning ceremony and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets gathered in formation, sporting giddy smiles and chanting upbeat cadences as they approached Waybur Theatre to be released to family and friends for their Family Day, at Fort Knox, August 8. After a month of rigorous training, Cadets are rewarded with a day of family, friends and good food. “I haven’t had fast food in 30-days so we are doing that,” said Cadet Alexander Jatto, East Tennessee State. “I am looking forward to some fresh food and a good nights sleep,” said Cadet Daniel Mulraney, Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Mulraney was [...]

FORT KNOX – 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in a raid during their Field training exercise at Fort Knox, August 6th. During the raid exercise, the opposing force was able to overcome the Cadets by eliminating 20-percent of their platoon, leaving them combat ineffective. A key reason the platoon failed their raid was due to bad placement of the support team. Cadet Victoria Smith, Texas A&M, was part of the support by fire element tasked with suppressing the enemy while the assaulting element could move in and conduct the raid. “We didn’t have very good visual of the enemy,” she [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp Cadets like 9th Regiment spend 19-days in the field where they are exposed to the heat and rain of the Kentucky forests that surround Fort Knox. It is important to stay positive and think about the easy days ahead says Cadet Joshua Bell, Liberty University. “It is all about positivity, taking one day at a time – not looking forward to the tough events that you are going to face – but taking each day as it comes and also taking away those days where you really aren’t doing much.” Cadets participate in missions testing [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets are allowed to receive care packages and letters during their one month of training at Cadet Summer Training. These packages can help with morale of the individual and sometimes the whole unit. Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp have been lucky enough to receive these morale boosting gifts throughout their time at Camp giving them something to lean on during their wet and muddy day in the field. Cadet Maddie Stone, University of Oklahoma, says notes, letters and packages are highly appreciated due to the limited contact they have with the outside world. “Getting letters is [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training after a month of vigorous physical and mental development at Fort Knox, July 30. After 19 days in the wet, humid wilds of Kentucky these future lieutenants were rewarded with a cool-overcast day for their Graduation Ceremony. Col. John Cyrulik, Advanced Camp Tactics, was the guest speaker during the ceremony. Cyrulik thanked the Cadets for their choice to join the ‘profession of arms.’ “I am humbled to be serving alongside such an outstanding group of young leaders, as you, during these exceptionally challenging times,” he said. Cyrulik [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets enjoyed a cool day in with air conditioning during their Call for Fire training at Fort Knox, July 29. The must pass training consists of a 45-minute lecture, followed by practice tests. After the initial training Cadets are given four attempts to pass the written test that follows the training. The training’s primary focus is to teach the Cadets how to call for indirect fire support. Indirect fire is when artillery is used because a Soldier is unable to reach a target with direct fire weapons. 2nd Lt. Devin Hesketh, Arizona State [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are the last group of Cadets to pass through the Confidence Chamber this summer at Fort Knox, July 26th. These Cadets where about to participate in the the final edition of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training. Lt. Col. Derek Carlson, Morehead State University, said the humidity would provide a more difficult and challenging experience for these Cadets. “It’s a big impact,” he said. “The weather has a big impact on all the training, but here, CS, when you have a high humidity day, the pores in the body open up a [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp is 24,000 steps closer to graduation after completing their 12-mile ruck march at Fort Knox, July 25. The Cadets began gathering near the starting line before 3:00 AM. They stepped off 30 minutes later and began what some called their ‘journey home’. “It really felt like we were rucking to go home.” said Baylon Northap, Edinboro University. “It didn’t feel that long, because every mile felt like another step closer to home. The further you got the more excitement built up and the faster you were going.” The bright red moon and the sea of [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Physical fitness is a a requirement of a good Soldier. 8th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets participated in the Army Physical Fitness Test at Fort Knox, July 24. The APFT is a combination of a ritualistic  exercise mixed with the urgency and anxiety related to any must pass test. Nervous and droopy eyed Cadets lined up to begin the exam at 5:00 am. A future lieutenant must successfully meet Army standards on two minutes of push ups and sit ups and then a two-mile run. The standards set by the Army are just a base goal according to Cadet [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets started their Squad Training Exercises at Fort Knox July 23. Cadets huddle around their Cadre as they learn about tactical exercises. Capt. Francisco Ramirez, State University of New York, works closely with this group of Cadets and guides them on the proper ways to set up and run their missions. According to Ramirez the training gives Cadets from different programs, with different levels of support, a standard way of doing missions. “I try and go step by step,” Ramirez said “that way everybody has the exact same information.” The training consists of [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  7th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets sang while slugging through a mud crawl at Beaudoin Obstacle Course, Fort Knox, Ky. July 22. After weeks of improving their marching skills, meshing together as a unit and honing their leadership Cadets were awarded with a chance to let off some steam with some friendly competition. The obstacles included a rope climb, mud crawl and a wall hurdle. The Cadets were excited to get away from their barracks says Cadet Don Diego Florencio, State University of New York at Buffalo. “I am just happy to get down and dirty,” Florencio said. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets took a walk in Keyes Park, refitted into a tent city, as they weigh their career options for when they commission as second lieutenants. The beautiful, sunny weather was perfect to allow the Cadets to decompress and focus on the their futures with the US Military. Cadets consider options like the Engineer Corps, the Field Artillery branch, the Chemical Corps and the Signal Corps. Capt. Mia Williams, nurse counselor for Cadet Command, talked with Cadets about the differences between choosing active duty or the reserves, highlighting it is important to consider what is [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets challenged themselves, while learning the importance of motivation at the Rappel Tower and Obstacle Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 13. Climbing, rappelling, falling and scaling, the Cadets face challenges of personal courage and dexterity while developing interpersonal and communication skills required to achieve greatness in the US Military. “The main thing we want them to get from the confidence course is that they can face these obstacles,” Capt. Kyle Gellhaus, Army Reserve, stated. “A lot of times they have a fear of heights, they don’t think they can do it and [...]