FORT KNOX, KY. – The Cadets of Fourth Regiment Advanced Camp got their equipment for Cadet Summer Training at the Central Issue Facility on June 10. “First, they (cadre members) defined the equipment.,” said Cadet Hayden Blankenship of Delta Company Fourth Platoon from Arkansas State University Jonesboro. “After defining it and telling us exactly its main use, they showed us how to use it. After that, we got issued our own equipment. Then, they put it on us.” Cadets get their equipment before training to ensure they can complete their missions in the field. It’s the lieutenants’ responsibility to make sure [...]

Cadets went through Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Threat Training on June 8 at the CBRN Chamber. They learned how to defend themselves from chemical attacks, and cadre members taught them how to put their equipment on, put their mask on and how to seal their mask before entering the chamber. “We have to trust the people in charge of us and trust that they have our best interest in mind,” said Cadet Braden Hayes of Bravo Company Third Platoon from the University of Scranton. The goal is for Cadets to be able to put on their masks in nine [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets finished the FieldCraft portion of their Cadet Summer Training (CST) on June 7 at Richardson. “We’re starting with the basics so we can get a baseline and see where our Cadets fall within their platoon,” said cadre member Lt. Col. Robert Hilton from Moorhead State University. “It’s important because it will make the Field Training Exercise (FTX) go a lot smoother if they have time to gel, bond and figure out these basics.” FieldCraft is separated into four different stations. These stations include Land Navigation, how to build a poncho hooch, Troop Leading Procedures and Combat [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets finished the Team Development Course (TDC) at Fort Knox on June 4. “We did a lot of team building within our platoon, especially with our squads,” said Cadet Alexis Fitzgerald of Bravo Company First Platoon from Princeton University. “We were able to work together and become a cohesive unit.” Cadets went through multiple obstacles as a squad to develop their teamwork and leadership skills. “By presenting a problem to the squad in the form of an obstacle, one person cannot do it by themselves,” said cadre member Sgt. 1st Class William Richards from West Virginia University. [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets went through the Land Navigation Course portion of their Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox on June 1. “They just go out there with a map, compass and protractor,” said cadre member 2nd Lt. Victoria Tobitt. “It’s old school, and they go out there to find the points.” The course began at 4 a.m. and concluded at 9 a.m. Cadets had to locate at least four of the six points from their map without the use of modern technology. “GPS isn’t always going to be reliable,” Tobitt said. “If God forbid your electricity goes down, you [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets completed their Call for Fire Training (CFFT) using virtual simulators on June 1. “From the old days, we didn’t have computers then or the virtual aspect of the training that we have now,” said cadre member Master Sgt. Glenn Hance. “So, it’s much more effective now and much more real life.” CFFT teaches cadets how to identify their location on a map, locate enemy forces and call for a fire mission. “It’s important to know this so that number one they don’t call artillery on themselves or their own position,” Hance said. “Number two, they can [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – 153 Cadets completed Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) on May 31 at Morgan Riley. BRM was the first time the Cadets got to practice shooting their weapons. “This form of training is your initial chance to zero your weapon to your own eye,” said cadre member Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Tripp. “Our weapons go through so many people so this is a very important step for adjusting the sights to your eye.” Cadets shot five rounds from 25 meters away with their M4 rifles. Their weapons had no scope, and they had to rely on their own sight [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – More than 600 Cadets received their equipment for Cadet Summer Training (CST) on May 26 at Central Issue Facility (CIF). “This is basic individual gear,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Haas of the Charlie Company Regiment. “From uniforms to their water source, it’s all basic stuff that the cadets will need on the field.” It was the Cadets’ first day of Cadet Summer Training, and they got the supplies that they will need during the summer. “The process of getting equipment was a lot easier and friendlier than past experiences for me at least,” said Cadet Austin Glang [...]

FORT KNOX, KY.- More than 400 second lieutenants received their equipment for Cadet Summer Training (CST) on May 25 at the Central Issue Facility (CIF). “My role here is to ensure that the cadets have all the equipment they need to perform their duties out in the field,” said University of Tennessee Cadre Member Randolph Graves. The second lieutenants get their equipment before the Cadets to ensure the lieutenants know the equipment. It’s the lieutenants’ responsibility to make sure the Cadets have the proper supplies before CST. “It’s more of a personal check as a second lieutenant compared to as a [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. –The Medical Tactical Operations Center (MEDTOC) ran through a practice medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to prepare for Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky., May 23. “Here in the TOC, we are a center point for information collection and dissemination,” said CST Task Force MEDTOC Operations Officer Capt. Walter Kaer, 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion. The MEDTOC is responsible for communicating with emergency responders who are on the scene and ensuring casualties arrive at the nearest hospital as soon as possible. “In response to an accident, minutes matter,” Kaer said. The MEDTOC communicates with emergency responders in a variety [...]