FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Basic Camp participated in a Drill & Ceremony competition on August 2. D&C consists of the proper way to move and hold oneself while in formation. The competition is a new addition to Cadet Summer Training this year. Cadet Jamie Bridenstine, who completed Advanced Camp this summer, is working as a Military Science III trainer at Basic Camp. Bridenstine, a student at the University of Wyoming, stated that D&C builds discipline and helps people work as a team. She went through Basic Camp in 2016. “We focused on D&C but it wasn’t to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp ambushed Opposing Forces, also known as OPFOR, during Field Training Exercises on August 1, at Area of Operation Grizzly. When the Cadets woke up that morning, described Cadet Olan Field, they knew that they were going to be conducting an ambush but weren’t exactly sure where. “We had to … go and find out information and then utilize that information that we received into our next mission,” stated Field. Platoon Sergeant Cadet Perry Patton, a student at Harding University, explained that a leader’s reconnaissance element met up with a defector who [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducted a raid on July 30, during the third and final phase of Field Training Exercises: the Grizzly phase. During the Grizzly phase, also known as the run phase, the Cadets conduct the missions themselves as opposed to being guided through them by Cadre like in the Wolverine (crawl) and Panther (walk) phases. Cadet Marc Venditti, University of South Florida, the platoon leader for yesterday’s mission, explained that he utilizes the chain of command to communicate with his platoon. He gives information to his squad leaders, who pass it on to their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp began Situational Training Exercises on July 27, entering the crawl phase of Field Training Exercises. This phase of training is heavily guided by Cadre and serves as instruction for Cadets. Cadet Karli Ring, a student at George Washington University, called what the Cadets were being taught the “doctrine, know-how” way to carry out the mission set before them. As a small group of Cadets set off for a leader’s reconnaissance patrol, Ring explained, the Cadre had the rest of the Cadets follow and observe rather than post security, as would normally [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp huddled around cell phone cameras before camp graduation on July 26, trying to see how their group photos with fellow Cadets turned out. 2nd Lt. Kasey Greenfield, a graduate of Texas A&M University, noticed an extraordinary difference in the demeanor of a lot of the Cadets – particularly their sense of pride – between the beginning of camp and graduation. Towards the end of camp, Greenfield stated, “a lot of them would stand up straighter,” and just wear the uniform a little differently. Between the homesickness, drill sergeants, and physical standards [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Maps, protractors, and binoculars covered the fold-out tables set out before Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp for a Call for Fire Trainer on July 25. Following 45 minutes of instruction, they had two hours to practice their skills in preparation for a must-pass 20-minute test. Additional time was set aside for retraining and retesting. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Kruse explained that the purpose of today’s training is to teach Cadets how to call for, and more specifically adjust, indirect fire. Direct fire is used when the target is within the sight range of a Soldier’s weapon [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from A Company, 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp took on all the bumps and bruises involved in rappelling a 64-foot tower and conquering an obstacle course on July 23. The company received a safety brief and a demonstration on the Rappel Tower before being split into two groups. Before entering the Rappel Tower, the Cadets learned how to tie a Swiss seat then continued on to a slanted wall to ease into rappelling. After getting their Swiss seats re-checked, they climbed the stairs to the top of the tower to go off the walled portion or the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 4th Regiment, Basic Camp were met with hugs and kisses from friends and family at Family Day on July 20. The Cadets marched in formation into the Waybur Theater parking lot, waiting for their parents to exit the auditorium. As expected, tearful meetings ensued. Cadet Kenneth Figueroa, a student at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, jokingly told his family that all they do at Basic Camp is sweat and march. “Sweat, road march, sweat, ruck march, sweat – everywhere,” said Figueroa. He was most looking forward to going to Buffalo Wild Wings with his [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Good times never seemed so good when Cadets from C Company, 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp went through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training on July 19. At 7AM, the Cadets grounded their gear at the CBRN training site. The company was briefed before being separated into platoons and squads for Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear training. MOPP gear, consisting of a gas mask, gloves, boot covers, and a hooded suit, is designed to protect Soldiers in a toxic environment. Cadet Adam Minor, a student at Ohio State University, served in the 135th Military Police Company before joining [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp had the opportunity to hear presentations from 19 Army branches and functionaries represented at Branch Orientation on July 12. In a grassy area beside a large, black, armored Special Reaction Force vehicle, a gaggle of Cadets stood and watched as a Military Police K-9 handler demonstrated giving his dog commands. Sgt. 1st Class Travis Watkins, 14th MP Brigade out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., explained Branch Orientation helps Cadets get a feel for different branches. He considers it an opportunity to explore branch options and figure out what will actually be [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – This morning Cadets from 6th Regiment, Basic Camp took the Army Physical Fitness Test, which consists of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run. The Cadets must try to complete as many push-ups and sit-ups in the allotted time and run two miles as fast as they can. Cadet Jhordyn McWhorter, a student at Marion Military Institute, said they have undergone corrective training at Basic Camp to correct and improve form, as well as to enhance endurance, in preparation for the APFT. She described corrective training as good for team building, adding [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Dozens of chemlight glow sticks bobbed in the darkness as Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp pushed through a 12-mile ruck with 35 pounds in their rucksacks on July 5, with staggered step-off times starting at 3:30AM. The timed, 4-hour “forced” road march requires Cadets to exercise their physical fitness and mental strength, which is also needed to be able to quickly and efficiently move a unit from one place to another. Cadets from Alpha Company, the second company to step-off, started rucking at 3:40AM, beginning their final must-pass event at Cadet Summer Training. About 20 minutes [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, accompanied by deer and plenty of flying bugs, went on a 10K ruck march back to their barracks yesterday evening following several days in the field. Cadet Cory Beam, a student at John Carroll University, serves on his school’s competitive ruck team and has done Ranger Challenge and the Mountain Man Memorial March. Beam explained walking with weight on one’s back is an important skill in the Army profession and also serves as a gut check. “You go on a long ruck – you just get tired, your body wears down,” [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp continued their Field Training Exercises at Area of Operation Panther on June 27. 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company completed an attack on Objective Valhalla and then set up an area defense in preparation for a counterattack. Cadet Matthew Pelletier, a student at Norwich University, described the mission as a success, crediting the platoon leader for getting the assault and support elements on line. Pelletier served in the support element as an M240B machine gunner responsible for laying down a base of fire. Once fire superiority was established, Pelletier explained, the PL called [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp tried their weapons at the pop-up course at the George Blair Qualification Range on June 26, having had the opportunity to qualify with still targets on the Alternate Qualification Course the day before. Cadet Ben Anderson, a student at Texas A&M University, expressed that the pop-up course is more stressful than shooting at still targets. “It’s a lot harder to locate and you feel really rushed,” described Anderson. Cadet Heather Craven, a student at Marshall University, explained the pop-up course tests the ability to move one’s body without moving one’s rifle. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp conducted a Platoon Situational Training Exercise yesterday at Area of Operation Wolverine during the initial Cadre-led phase of Field Training Exercises. The Cadets did a run-through of the attack before going it alone. During the exercise, Cadets not currently in Advanced Camp posed as the Opposing Forces to give 2nd Regiment Cadets a realistic enemy to fight. Cadet Michael Larsen, a student at Pacific Lutheran University, explained OPFOR helps challenge the Cadets conducting missions on the STX lanes. Larsen stated the OPFOR’s mission is to defend their objective (the area they’re [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp went through the Field Leaders’ Reaction Course, forgoing a rain check, on June 21. The obstacles on the FLRC judge teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities, primarily of the squad leader, said 2nd Lt. Connor Wolff. If Cadets touch a restricted surface on the obstacle, they incur a time penalty and must wait 15 seconds before continuing. Staff Sgt. Aimee Nicoletti noted a big difference between a 15-second set-back on the course and a critical mistake in real life. “Here it’s for time, but on a mission it can mean a Soldier’s [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp underwent a Pre-Combat Inspection this morning in preparation for 4 days of Cadre-led Field Training Exercises. Standing by their rucks in the low grass at Assembly Area Baker, the Cadets checked their gear, hydrated, and helped each other apply camo face paint. Cpt. Andres Bautista, an Observer-Controller-Trainer, explained the purpose of the PCI is to prepare for deployment, which in this case is to the country of Atropia. Bautista asserted the PCI is essential for troop preparedness to fight the enemy. Cadet Haley Peterson, a student at the University of Nevada, [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp tried for an expert score in Basic Rifle Marksmanship, a necessary criterion for the Recondo Badge, on the pop-up course at the George Blair Qualification Range on June 15. They had the opportunity to qualify with still targets on the Alternate Qualification Course the day before. Spc. Rocky Alvarez, the shakedown Non-Commissioned Officer at the range, ensures that Cadets don’t leave the range with any live rounds on them. He described the range as primarily for Recondo, but said that Cadets go for normal qualification as well. Cadet Johnathon Price, a [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp undertook the Dunagan Teamwork Development Course on June 14 with two squads going through each event simultaneously. Cadet Jeanette Corpuz, a student at West Virginia State University, said the TDC is all about Cadets working with each other to accomplish a larger goal. “Basic [Camp] is building your confidence to becoming a good leader,” specified Corpuz. “This helps us going to the real military and leading our own Soldiers.” “Cliffhanger” (Event #2) At the “Cliffhanger”, Cadet John Belser, a student at the University of North Georgia, was one of the first [...]

Cadets Practice Adapting to Terrain in Preparation for Land Navigation Course FORT KNOX, Ky. – Map and compass in hand, Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp squelched through the soggy ground as they set off during a land navigation practical exercise this morning. The Cadets were tasked with finding two points at Training Area 14, the land navigation site, to prepare for the official land navigation course later today and tonight. Capt. Elliott Emerich, a CST Platoon Trainer, explained that Cadets are tested on their ability to physically navigate and locate points on the course and evaluated with respect to their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the 1st Regiment, Basic Camp went through in-processing at the Copple Center on June 6. The process checks out Cadets’ documents, as well as their financial and travel information, including whether or not family members will be attending graduation and related information. 2nd Lt. Brian Coleman explained that the Cadets’ finances and pay are set up during in-processing so that they can get reimbursed for travel to and from camp. Cadet Dustin Axarlis, a student at the University of Dubuque from Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, stood near the front of the line for in-processing. “It’s a lot [...]