Fort Knox, Ky.- Today, the 6th Regiment, Alpha and Bravo Company Basic Camp Cadets graduate Cadet Summer Training 2018. Proud family members from all across the country gather together to witness the inspiring ceremony. These Cadets have all come a long way and yet this is only the beginning. Day in and day out they trained rigorously, overcame tremendous fears, and strengthened themselves to achieve their highest level of excellence. There has been outstanding growth from the day they first arrived. Throughout each exercise completed they acquired leadership characteristics, teamwork and accountability for one another, and the strength and stamina to conquer all tasks. Excitement is in the [...]

Fort Knox Ky.- The 6th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets competed at Drill and Ceremony Competition on 28. July 2018. Each Platoon from the Bravo and Alpha company fell in to position and marched to the beat of the Drill Sergeant and his commands. One Drill Sergeant in particular, Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Neely, expressed the importance of Drill and Ceremony. “The amazing thing about Drill and Ceremony is it’s not just necessary here, but also in the battle field. If you look back on old war movies you’ll see they used a drum when marching. That meant everything moved at a [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Today, 7th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets completed a portion of their FTX training at Tactical Area 5 on Fort Knox, Ky. When the Cadets arrived, they received an OP order for their mission, after that they go through the troop leading procedures which help them plan and prepare for the mission. This procedure is an eight step process: receive the mission or OP order, issue the warning order to their subordiante leaders, make a tentative plan, start necessary movement, reconnoiter, complete the plan, issue the complete order, and finally supervise. Once completed, they conduct a patrol where they [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp perform combat casualty care as part of first aid testing. This is a mandatory pass event for the Cadets due to its importance to know throughout a Soldier’s career. Cadets began testing during the early morning hours and continued throughout the afternoon. One by one, they performed standard first aid treatment in front of a Cadre member who monitored the treatment. “Today we’re being tested on tactical field training and first aid. Specifically, we are required to properly bandage wounds, apply tourniquets, open airways, CPR, and apply fresh dressings,” stated Cadet Christ [...]

Fort Knox Ky.- 7th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets are learning to save lives during combat at Cadet Summer Training! Today, Cadets perform basic first aid skills on dummies by using a device called a tourniquet. This device is used in emergency settings to stop traumatic bleeding such that medical care can be provided before the victim bleeds out. In a combat zone there are measures to be taken before providing care to the wounded victim. First, make sure the enemy fire is suppressed by firing back at the enemy. Second, ask the victim three questions in order of importance: Can you [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Discipline is the word of the day at the 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Drill and Ceremony Competition. When talking to several Cadets and Cadre, most emphasized discipline as a characteristic and necessity for outstanding drill movement. The Drill and Ceremony competition focused on how well a platoon can execute the basic movements a Soldier would make while marching along with a Drill Sergeant. Specifically, the foot and arm movement while marching, left and right turns, about-facing, saluting, and standing positions.   Though it may sound simple to execute, it’s not a single person effort. It is about learning [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets from all across the country come to Fort Knox for Cadet Summer Training and are tested and pushed to their highest level of excellence. One test in particular 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets faced is the Confidence Chamber. The purpose of the Confidence Chamber is to instill trust in their equipment and prepare them for all kinds of unfortunate events in the world. Master Sgt. Erica McCarter, the NCOIC for the Confidence Chamber, explained why Cadets master CBRN. She stated this a precautionary measure in the case Cadets find themselves in a CBRN environment. They will know [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- John F. Kennedy was quoted for saying, “leadership and learning are indispensable to one another.” Leadership does not always mean the leading of others; it can also be interpreted as working alongside others and inspiring them to do great things. To be a great leader, there must be a thirst for knowledge and learning. A thirst to want to know the ins and outs, the right and wrongs, and the strengths and weaknesses of who and what you are leading. Today, Cadets are learning to lead. They are learning to be great leaders within their small groups during [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Sixth Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets completed their session of Call for Fire! What exactly is Call for Fire and is it an important skill to master? After speaking to a few Cadets who successfully completed the exercise, we have those answers. John Atwood from Auburn University explained in his own words what Call for Fire is. “Today we worked on Call for Fire. We’ve had a few classes on Call for Fire before, but nothing as in depth as what we just learned in there. Basically, they split us up into eight groups and we take classes and [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today was an exciting day for members of the Kentucky Cabinet. They had the amazing opportunity of learning how to rappel in the same fashion Cadets do at Cadet Summer Training. The event kicked off with brief safety instructions and demonstrations of correct and incorrect ways to rappel down the tower. Once demonstrations were complete, they began to fasten up their protective gear and practice what they learned on a smaller training wall. After the cabinet members completed a dry run of belay and rappelling, they were ready for the real deal. One by one, each member climbed [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- With minimal light, a map, and compass in hand, Cadets search far and wide in the thick brush of the woods for plotted points. There is no sunlight to guide Cadets and Cadre step aside to see how well they can complete their mission. Terrain Talk with Lt. Col. Sean D. Coulter “What we have today is about 320 Cadets from the Alpha and Bravo Company, 3rd Regiment Basic Camp who are getting ready to go out and do their nighttime iteration of land navigation. They finished their daytime iteration earlier today. The vast majority of them were [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- In the depths of the woods, Cadets emerge victoriously! With minimal tools and resources, the 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets use their acquired skills of land navigation to find hidden plotted points. Terrain Talk with Captain Peter Ahching “I am an operations officer for the Cadets, so my job is to assess the quality of training that the Cadets receive from Cadre. I also assess the safety of the training, and finally monitor how well the Cadets utilize the training given to them.” “Today we are doing land navigation with the Alpha Company, 3rd Regiment. Terrain Association is [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today, 1st Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets completed Fire Team Movement exercises. What exactly is Fire Team Movement? Why must Cadets learn how to properly execute the required exercises and when will it be useful throughout their career? These questions were answered by several Cadre and Cadets who partook in the event. What is Fire Team Movement? Cadet Rebecca Balzan of Mary Baldwin University, was more than eager to share what the exercises entailed. “Today, we are going through different lanes and it’s the first day of our FTX or Field Training Exercise. We have done about eight different [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- It is not unusual that Cadets are conquering new heights each day at Cadet Summer Training. In fact, they are encouraged to go above and beyond their natural comfort zone. For some, that comfort zone may be on the ground where they feel safest. Others may be most comfortable when they are being pushed to their maximum fear. Today, Cadets were challenged to new heights at the Rappel Tower and Confidence Course. But why is it important the Cadets conquer their fear of heights? “It’s important that the Cadets learn how to rappel properly in the instance that [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Call for Fire is an exercise that the Cadets are tested on and must pass the Call for Fire exercise in order to complete their summer training. The day prior to testing day, Cadets are briefed for an hour and a half on the transmissions and other details. They then have a two-hour class, followed by three hours of practical exercise. Once all of that is completed, they are ready to be tested. What exactly is Call for Fire? According to Cadet Preston Jones of Virginia Tech, Call for Fire is, “…spotting an enemy, whether it be a [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets experienced the Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear (CBRN) chamber, otherwise known as the Confidence Chamber. The Cadets are sent into the Confidence Chamber where small doses of CS gas are released. Initially, the Cadets suit up in gas masks and jump suits to protect them from the gas, but soon enough they are tested without them. Once in the chamber, they are asked to remove their mask individually and sing the Army song. This allows exposure to the gas and the side effects it causes. Once singing is completed, they are told to [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- How does the military make soldiers who are prepared for anything? The answer is simple, though the methods are not. Greatness is not acquired overnight. It requires preparation, training, and dedication. Here, at Fort Knox Kentucky, Cadre are dedicated to strengthening, guiding, and training every Cadet to be the best representation of a soldier. Today, the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp trained on weapon qualifications at the George Blair range. What is weapon qualifications? Cadet Joseph Beatrice of the University of Cincinnati gave us some insight, “today we are qualifying on 300-meter range with the M481 weapon system. It’s [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- What is weapons assessment? Why is it important that the Cadets learn how to properly dismantle and reassemble their weapons? What is Drill and Ceremony? If you have ever pondered on these questions, luckily for you we have the answers! We spoke to a few of the drill sergeants who were leading the Cadets and they were more than happy to share their answers on the matter. Sergeant Kenneth Davidson answered a few of those questions stating, “today the Cadets are disassembling and reassembling the M16 rifles. They are also going learn how to do a functions check [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Field Leaders’ Reaction Course or as it is commonly referred to as the FLRC is another training event the Cadets partake in during Cadet Summer Training. The FLRC is what you could call an extreme trust exercise. Cadets from all over come together and test their abilities as leaders and good followers. They are sent into the woods where they are challenged with several stations that simulate real life obstacles. These obstacles range in height, length, and complexity. It’s not common that a single team completes every obstacle within the given time. They are designed to challenge the [...]

  FORT KNOX Ky.- Today, was an exciting day for the 1stRegiment of Advanced Camp Cadets! Leadership skills, problem solving abilities, and teamwork were all put to the test at the Field Leader’s Reaction Course on June 11th. While in the field, the Cadets were split into several small groups where they tackled various challenging obstacles. Each obstacle was a simulation of an actual event that the Cadets could encounter. Some courses required moving “ammunition” from one side to the other without touching the “land mines” below them. Others required transitioning each person across without verbal communication. With each event time [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today, the 1st Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets trained vigorously in preparation for their weapons qualification. The purpose of their training is to learn how to get a tight shot group, which demonstrates proper firing. The technique for that includes proper positioning of the rifle, sighting, breathing, and trigger squeeze. It’s important the Cadets learn how to move their sights so that their shot group is at the center of the target, which ultimately gives them a better zero. Weapons qualifications can be an intense part of Cadet Summer Training simply because it is a make or break requirement for [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Today, the first regiment of Advanced Camp Cadets arrived from all across the United States to begin summer training. The first group of cadets arrived on base around one o’clock on June 4. Day one on base is a light day for the Cadets. They arrived by bus shuttle, headed to registration and integration, where they were checked for height and weight. They then had organizational clothing and individual equipment inspection. From there, the cadets were transported to their barracks to settle in and once that was completed they went to dinner and relaxed for the evening. Anticipation [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- What is the key to success when performing a mass casualty evacuation? That’s right, communication! As cliché as it might sound, communication is the most vital tool to use when working to assess a situation. The Cadre at Forward Operating Base Densberger were preparing for the imminent arrival of 9,000 cadets for Cadet Summer Training. “This is the Densberger Scenario. There was a vehicle accident down the hill and our medics will go respond to it and document the care as quickly as possible,” briefed Cpt. Erin Kornaki. “Once on scene, we will then triage the victims or figure [...]