FORT KNOX, KY.— “Twelve miles is a distance that most people do not normally do every day so being able to accomplish something like that is pretty rewarding,” said Cadet Hayden Martinez, from Oregon State University. Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, had this satisfaction when they completed their 12-mile road march here early in the morning on Aug. 2. Cadets stepped off the start line from Tactical Assembly Area Densberger.  They spent yesterday at TAA Densberger following their final phase of the Field Training Exercises. Martinez said that the rucks [the pack they carried with their clothing and equipment] this [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-V1GG4RuU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “Coming in I thought that everything was very black and white, but the real world is not that way. Things change, plans change and it really allows you to adapt and be a versatile leader,” said Cadet Nina Carter, from the University of North Georgia, who served as the platoon leader during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) lane. On July 30, 2019, 9th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets had to deal with plans changing during a raid mission. Things changed due to a possible weather threat, and Cadets were unable to complete a leader’s recon the night [...]

FORT KNOX, KY.— “The Army has a lot of high-tech tools, but if something were to happen, we need to know how to navigate through the land, figure out terrain and be able to stick together to help each other out,” said Rachel Hickey, from Carson-Newman University. On July 23, 2019, 5th Regiment Basic Camp Cadets got a hands-on learning experience on how to navigate through woods and terrain. These classes help prepare Cadets for their Land Navigation tests later in the day. The Day Land Navigation test will occur after lunch and Cadets must locate four out of five points. [...]

FORT KNOX, KY.— “When they [Cadets] go to Advanced Camp they are going to be evaluated as an infantry officer, [and] as an officer, you are a chaos manager. We are trying to introduce them to that chaos so they become used to it and become good chaos managers,” said 2nd Lt. Michael Everett, who commissioned out of the College at Brockport State University of New York. On July 17, Cadets from the 2nd Regiment Basic Camp learned squad tactics for a Field Training Exercise (FTX). After listening to Cadre tell them about the different tactics, they practiced them in a [...]

FORT KNOX, KY.— “You can be so focused on what you are doing and you are not listening to what your teammate is trying to suggest to you,” Cadet Shakireah Gibbons, George Southern University. Cadets from the 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp learned to listen and work together at the Team Development Course. Cadets were given 10 minutes for planning and then 20 minutes to execute their obstacle. If they finished their planning early they were allowed to start going through the course. During one of the stations, Gibbons was a squad leader and felt that it went smoothly. She said what [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDi28OHqS14[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. — Two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run, that is how 10th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets started off their morning during their Army Physical and Fitness Test (APFT). APFT tests a Cadet’s physical fitness to see how well he or she might handle being in the field. Lyndsey Fisher, a student at Texas Christian University, said pacing herself was harder than she expected. At her school, there is an Olympic track where she runs eight laps, rather than two. Although she passed her test, Fisher did not do as well as [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w642xhM1cNU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “Shoot, move and communicate,” according to Cadet Ezequiel Zaragoza, from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, these are some of the fundamentals that 1st Regiment Basic Camp Cadets learn at the Buddy Team Live fire. Cadets had to navigate through different obstacles while trusting that their battle buddy would cover them as they moved. Cadets had to do both and high and low crawl to different obstacles while holding onto their rifle and a mock grenade. This training prepares Cadets for when they go through this course again the next day with live ammunition. Cadre [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HM2RVQqZT0[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “I think learning what your subordinates have to do on a day-to-day, hour-to-hour basis makes you a better leader,” said Sophie Hill, from Wellesley College. Hill and the rest of the Cadets from the 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed another day of Field Training Exercises (FTX) and learned what exactly those they will lead have to do during this ambush mission. At the start of the mission the Platoon Leader was given the details about the ambush the previous night and had until the early morning to plan out what would happen. “When you are in [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAsB-ERhFyw[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “The past 37 days have been really tough and eye opening, but it makes me more motivated. It makes me ready to start my career in the Army,” said Cadet Catherine Vitale, from Saint Johns University- New York. Along with Vitale, who wants to become an active duty component Quartermaster Officer, Cadets from the 3rd Regiment are now one step closer in their Army career after graduating from Advanced Camp. This is a day many anticipate after a rigorous 37 days of training. During the ceremony, 18 Cadets were awarded the RECONDO Badge. In order [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pipOwYUsXoc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “We do not know what our enemies are going to do,” said Cadet Alisha Anderson, a student at Brigham Young University-Idaho. “They can go at us full force with weapons or they can [use] chemical or radioactive weapons. As Soldiers, we need to prepare [for] everything so we can be able to react quickly and efficiently so we can help people around us.” Should our enemies use those weapons, the Cadets from the 1st Regiment Basic Camp are better prepared to defend themselves with chemical suits and masks after their initial CBRN training today. Cadets learn [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7m_jF6q9YY[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “I learned during my cycle that not everyone learns the same or can get talked to the same [and] not everyone has the same attitude,” said Calli Van Gorden, from the University of Vermont, “I learned that you have to adapt to the people you are with in order to be a confident and good leader.” After 37 days of hard work, Cadets from the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp graduated and some earned the rank of Second Lieutenant. Major General John Evans Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, addressed Cadets on [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHX-m5qRWdE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “At the end of the day when your computers are not working or you are not getting any signal, you are going to have to navigate by yourself with your map,” said Cadet Joseph Lippoli, University of Kansas. “So it is important that all future platoon leaders have this ability so they will be able to move their [soldiers]. During the Night Land Navigation test, Cadets from the 8th Regiment Advanced Camp learned how to navigate terrain without a GPS. Although they only needed one point to pass, Cadets had two hours to locate two [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2oYFEZ13PM[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.– “Some [college ROTC programs] focus solely on planning, [and] some programs focus more on execution,” 2nd Lt. Megan Brown, from the University of New Haven said. “It is important to learn how to blend those two together to create a solid plan and execute well.” Cadets from the 2nd Regt. Advanced Camp were able to learn how to blend these two very different learning techniques when they went through their first day of Area of Operations (AO), Grizzly at today’s Field Training Exercise (FTX). Cadets executed a hasty raid due to weather concerns. A hasty raid [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCnp9qzdzo0[/embedyt] “Battle Buddy, cover me while I move,” a Cadet yelled during the Buddy Team Live Fire. “Communication is key in anything you do in the Army and in general,” said Cadet Alex Counter, from Boise State University, “This is a true test of how you communicate on the battlefield and stress environments.” Cadets from the 4th Regt. Advanced Camp learned how to communicate with a teammate while under stressful situations at the Buddy Team Live Fire range, June 22. Cadets moved in pairs while firing blank rounds down the 100-meter lane.  One provided covering fire while the other advanced.  [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCvT6K_U-k[/embedyt] Cadets from the 2nd Regt. Advanced Camp were in their second day of Field Training Exercise (FTX) here at Fort Knox where they learned how to properly ambush an enemy. “This is entry-level tactic, in the Army you are expected to be able to be deployed in combat at a moment’s notice,” said Cadet Grant Leonard, from the University of Maryland. “Learning something like this is vitally important because it is the foundation of what the Army is built upon.” Cadets travel through the woods to an Objective Rally Point (ORP) so they can reassess how they will successfully [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3WhA9dREc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “This training is important because, you need to be prepared with whatever the Army throws at you. You need to adapt and overcome,” said Cadet Savannah Mercado, from the University of Southern California. Today, Cadets from the 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp learned how to do this when they endured the Chemical, Biological Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) chamber. The chemical used at CBRN is tear gas; when unprotected, it specifically irritates the skin, respiratory system and eyes. There were several different stations Cadets visited to learn how to properly don their mask and suit. “The instructors here [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLwTI4FNMs[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “Do not think about it, just go,” said Cadet Bennett Weyhrauch, from Pacific Lutheran University. Today, 3rd Regt. Advanced Camp Cadets had to do just that when they faced the 64-foot Rappel Tower here at Fort Knox. It might have been wet and raining before hand, but that did not stop Cadets from overcoming this monstrous obstacle. Before making their way up the tower, Cadets learned how to properly tie a swiss seat so they could go down the wall safely. Once cadets get up to the top, they must tell the rappel master which [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npKGAiYCatU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. — “Be flexible and be ready for anything,” said Cadet Zaw Aung, from the University of Pittsburgh, “you have no idea where anyone is coming from.” The Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) helps prepare Cadets for this. During their third day at Cadet Summer Training, Cadets had to overcome six different obstacles at FLRC. They were given 17 minutes for each of the obstacles they faced. During this training, Cadets learn how to lead effectively or listen to the squad member in charge. Cadet Thomas Booth, from Ohio University, said that the obstacles, “are meant to [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM9d2Zvh_yc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. — “Being brave is not about not being afraid of anything. It is about being afraid of something and going through with it anyway,” said 1st Sgt. Justin Davis, as he stood in front of the 64-foot rappel tower here. Cadets from the 2nd Regt., Advanced Camp took on the daunting tower, in what some say is the one event Cadets dread most about CST. Before Cadets conquer the rappel tower, they first learned to tie a swiss seat which is how Cadets rappelled the wall and free-fell. “[The swiss seat], is a super tight knot [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJlF-4DeDAM[/embedyt] “My favorite part about this training is that you are not limited to how many bullets you get to shoot,” said Stacey Estrada, from Weber State University, “If you are not doing so great and you need extra practice, we have the supply here to keep practicing and to keep getting better.” And practice they did.  For the last two days Cadets from the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp shot round, after round, after round improving their shooting skills at the George Blair Shooting Range. All their practice leads to their weapons qualification tomorrow. Fort Knox uses a location of [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFCJY15WUIM[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “These are just basic Soldier skills that everyone in the Army just needs to know,” said Cadet Joseph Marcos, from Seton Hall University, “Not everyone is going to be in combat but you may find yourself in that position where you may have to execute some of these tasks.” Cadets started the day by practicing with mock hand grenades then moved on to live hand grenades. After learning how to operate one, 2nd Regtiment Advanced Camp Cadets learned how to use it to their advantage. Once Cadets completed these two trainings, they went down to [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWXygPo6Sfs[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — “Today is the culminating event for [2nd Regiment Cadets] basic rifle marksmanship (BRM),” said 1st Lt. Mike Marta, from Fort Carson. “It is part of a four-day process starting with primary marksmanship instruction (PMI), going into grouping zero, location of misses and hits so they can see where on the targets they are hitting and then culminating here with the qualification range,” said Marta. In the past, this was not a must pass event. This was available so Cadets could familiarize themselves with the weapons. In order for Cadets to pass their qualification test, they [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kj5zjFkPfw[/embedyt] “All basic training soldiers have to throw two live hand grenades. So, as future officers and leaders of America, why would we not be held to the same standard?” asked Cadet Sean McCarthy, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke from the 1st Regiment Advanced Camp. The answer to that question is that they [cadets] are “held to the same standard.” At least as of this year’s Cadet Summer Training, where the Cadets are required to throw two live grenades. In order for that to happen, the Cadets first had to demonstrate their ability with practice grenades. The [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQw09qPaBn0[/embedyt] Cadets from 2nd Regiment Carlie and Delta have two hours to locate two points, and they must find at least one in order to pass. Cadets use a protractor and a map of the area to plot their points. After that they use their maps and compasses to navigate to their points. Capt. Jason Dubyoski, from The Citadel said, “[The Night Land Navigation] tests [Cadets’] ability to navigate to points dismounted in the dark in hours of limited visibility.” Dubyoski mentioned that, “some of them struggle to shoot a good azimuth using the compass.” It is also possible that [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYHQ43w_SYo[/embedyt] “It was pretty long, but I think my school trained me well to do a course like this,” said Cadet Bryce Sanford, from the Virginia Military Institute. “We do a lot of work at Fort Pickett where the Land Navigation courses are about the same size and the same terrain, so it was kind of familiar to me,” he continued. Sanford was one of the first Cadets to finish the Land Navigation test, and said he enjoyed this assessment. Today’s Land Navigation test assessed a Cadet’s ability to use a compass, map and knowing terrain during the day time. [...]