By Mattie Cook Fort Knox,Ky.- Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2017 came to a close Aug. 16 with the graduation of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp. The Maj. Gen. James E. Rudder Regiment sounded a big Hooah as they marched off of Brooks Field for the final time, as 17 Regiments have done before them. Cadet Nathan J. Woodcock, Saint John’s University New York, received the regiment’s only RECONDO (Reconnaissance Commando) Award. The RECONDO is given to Advanced Camp Cadets who have scored a 90 or above in various scored events, received a first time “GO” in first aid, call for fire and [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- The 556 Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp finished Cadet Summer Training with Graduation on Brooks Field. Nine Cadets of the regiment received the RECONDO (Reconnaissance Commando) certificate from Maj. Gen. Hughes, Commanding General of Cadet Summer Training and Fort Knox. Regimental Awards were given to twelve Cadets for outstanding performances at CST. Cadet Emily Gallagher, Dequesne University, received the Armed Forces Services Corporation Award for achieving the highest female score on the Army Physical Fitness Test. Her parents, Laura and Ed were there at graduation waiting to congratulate her. “We’re extremely proud of her. [...]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, KY.,- Forest Hills Climbing Complex has been buzzing with Cadets all summer long, but today was their last day of operation for Cadet Summer Training as 8th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets conquered their fears and the course. Ziplining, low crawling, climbing and hanging; Cadets spent their last day of training before graduation encouraging each other and conquering their fear of heights. Cadet Judy Senesabath, University of Tennessee Knoxville said as a climber, communication with her belayer was key. “The belayer is not only like a safety but they guide you, letting you know where you can [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- In their 28th day of training, Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp leaned on one another to conquer the confidence course and climbing towers at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex, Aug. 4. The complex is designed for Cadets to face their fears, develop confidence, trust one another and overcome the obstacles set before them. MS3 Basic Camp Trainer, Cadet Charles Moorehead, University of Virgin Islands St. Croix, said it’s important for Cadets to see the bigger possibilities in conquering the course. “This course is testing out their confidence in themselves, their equipment, and each other, [...]

 By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in their final must pass event Wednesday, the 64-foot rappel tower. Nervous energy surrounds the tower as many Cadets battle a fear of heights, like Cadet Alex Marshall, Gannon University, PA. “I’ve rappelled before at my school so that wasn’t really new. I think it’s cool because I’m afraid of heights but rappelling is easy; you just trust your equipment and your Cadre,” he said. “Everything in place here is to protect Cadets, from the NCOs up at the top of the tower to your equipment and belay. [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp rounded up all their equipment, cleaned everything and headed to the Central Issue Facility, July 30. “Today at CIF we are turning in all the equipment we got at the beginning of camp which is the final stage of camp for us,” said Cadet Nicholas Christopher, University of Louisville, Ky. Unique to other Advanced Camp Cadets, Christopher has had his equipment for two months, instead of the normal 30 days. He and a few others in his regiment arrived to Fort Knox, 30 days prior to their training to [...]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadets of 6th Regiment, Basic Camp started the first of their out-processing events today at the Central Issue Facility (CIF) where they returned all the equipment they were issued at the beginning of camp. The CIF sees thousands of Cadets and Cadre throughout the summer, making sure each individual has the necessary equipment they need to be successful throughout training. CIF is set up in stations of specific equipment items, where personnel check for cleanliness and imperfections. “Today we’re turning in all of our gear we checked out; cleaning it and re-cleaning it, hoping it’s [...]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadet Summer Training (CST) came to an end for the General Carl W. Stiner Regiment, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, with nine Reconnaissance Commando (RECONDO) awards; the most of any regiment to date. The RECONDO award is given to Cadets who scored a 90% or higher in all pass-required events such as land navigation, marksmanship and the field training exercise. Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. James (Boe) Young, Commanding General of 75th Training Command, Houston, TX., addressed Cadets not only as an officer with over 30 years of experience, but as a father to graduating Cadet Elizabeth [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are nearing the end of camp with just equipment turn-in and Family Day to go; but before swinging into graduation, they had to conquer their last event: the confidence course and rappel tower. The 64-foot rappel tower consists of a wall side rappel and a free rappel. Cadets go off both sides of the tower not only to learn rappelling technique but to test their confidence and trust in their equipment and Cadre. Cadet Torrence Hass, Colorado State University, Co., said he was nervous all morning in anticipation. “I’m afraid [...]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, KY.,- Cadets of 9th Regiment Advanced Camp cleared their sinuses at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber on Fort Knox, Ky., July 19. Cadets were first trained in proper care and use of gas masks and mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear. In order to be properly equipped and ready, they must be able to put on their gear and seal their mask in eight minutes or less. After their gear is secured, it’s time to go through the chamber. “My face was on fire, my lungs were on fire, I wanted to breathe [...]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp endured high heat indexes to learn squad battle drill tactics in preparation for their Field Leader Training Exercise (FTX) coming up in less than a week. Cadets of Advanced Camp will be returning to their universities as military science level fours and will be commissioning as Second Lieutenants when they graduate. Important for each, the ability to lead by example and tell their soldiers or fellow students they ‘why’ of training and preparation. Cadet Dustin Harper, Augusta University, GA., explained squad battle drills. “We’re out here practicing Squad Battle [...]

by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Arriving as strangers, Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) on day two of Cadet Summer Training (CST) to learn about each other, build teamwork and create bonds that will last through the rest of training. Cadets of Charlie Company, 2nd platoon, first squad set themselves apart from others by hitting each obstacle as if they had known each other forever, operating with communication and adaptability; not to mention fast completion times. Cadet Amber Rose, University of New Mexico, said getting the job done no matter what isn’t the [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,-Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp put their physical skills to the test Fort Knox during their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) July 14. Standards for the APFT are set based on age and gender, with the minimum standard for each event set at 60 points. For males, the minimum standard is 42 pushups, 53 sit-ups and the two-mile run in less than 15 minutes and 54 seconds. For females, the minimum standard is 19 pushups, 53 sit-ups and the two-mile run in less than 18 minutes and 48 seconds. Cadet Hunter Neu, Georgia Military College, [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky., – Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp tackled the challenges of the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) on Fort Knox, Ky., July 9 in search of building trust among teammates. FLRC consists of 12 obstacles, all with varying levels of difficulty, designed to build teamwork and trust among participants. Obstacle number five, the destroyed bridge, has a record of stumping Cadets by its seemingly easy appearance. Destroyed Bridge supervisor, Sgt. Jose Montoya, 399th of Fort Knox, says the obstacle is harder than it looks. Cadet Jackson Baker, the Citadel, N.C., played a key role in [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Day eleven of Cadet Summer Training (CST) for 5th Regiment, Basic Camp involved day land navigation; exercises they say would not be successful without the guidance of non-commissioned officer (NCO) Cadre. Cadets plot points on a map they then must find in the depths of Fort Knox terrain using a compass. A successful mission includes finding three out of four plotted points within the allotted time. Before starting, Cadre give a brief on the do’s and don’ts of land navigation for safe and successful missions. Staff Sgt. Barlowe Branch says they help guide Cadets. “If [...]

by: Cpt. Samuel D. Sellers edited by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.-U.S. Army Cadet Command Cadre members from over 20 different Senior ROTC programs and 40 recently commissioned active duty 2nd Lieutenants assembled on Fort Knox, Ky., June 11 to learn about the proper use of pyrotechnics during Cadet Summer Training (CST). Each Cadre member and newly commissioned officers represent a variety of branches within the Army. CST, comprised of Basic and Advanced camps, combines all eight brigades within U.S. Army Cadet Command and will produce the Army’s newest officers. Basic Camp cadets, comprised of Military Science one and two students, learn [...]

by: Cpt. Samuel D. Sellers edited by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.- Brig. Gen. Robert W. Bennett, Deputy Commanding Officer U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, and other Cadet Command leadership visited training areas of Fort Knox to evaluate and validate 41 Cadet Summer Training (CST) Cadre on their knowledge of basic squad level tactics. This evaluation, in preparation for the 15 June Field Training Exercise phase of Basic Camp, tested Cadre members comprised of 20 Senior ROTC instructors from over 20 colleges across the eight brigades within U.S. Army Cadet Command. Additionally, 25 newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants rounded out the [...]

By Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.-The ranks of the United States Army were joined by ten new 2nd Lieutenants during the End of Camp Commissioning Ceremony for 1st Regiment Advanced Camp on Fort Knox, Ky., at Waybur Theatre, June 24. These Lieutenants spent the last 30 days on Fort Knox in Advanced Camp of Cadet Summer Training, learning new tactical and soldiering skills, leadership techniques and learning how their own leadership styles will contribute to the total Army. Lt. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland addressed the Cadets before taking the stage for the oath, noting the importance of their decision to become [...]

By Mattie Cook Fort Knox.,- 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spent day 13 of Cadet Summer Training (CST) out on Platoon Situational Training Exercise (PLT STX) lanes learning proper patrol and enemy engagement techniques. With faces painted, Cadets trekked through the dense Kentucky foliage in an attempt to maneuver silently and surround the enemy. Abby Kingery, University of South Florida, Fla. explains the scenario. “We just did a movement to contact. You come across an enemy and are trying as quickly as possible to use the element of surprise, surrounding them and using natural barriers like roads and hills to catch [...]

by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp battled the feats of Beaudoin Obstacle Course on Fort Knox, Ky., June 15 as part of their Cadet Summer Training (CST). The obstacle course is designed to challenge those who brave it’s stations, but Cadets say working together as a team is key. Cadet Joel Mock, University of Central Florida, Fla., agreed teamwork was the best part of the course. “The bars were definitely the hardest part for each platoon so just cheering each other on was a really good experience, really motivated and I enjoyed it,” said Mock. [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp put their exploration skills to the test during day land navigation on Fort Knox, June 15. During land navigation, Cadets are expected to find plotted points. Cadet Tyler Derr, Shippensburg University, Pa., explains that process. “You plot your points on a map and find the direction of the points that you want to go to next; find how far it takes you to get there and just travel,” Derr said. “It was awesome because it was my first time doing land navigation. It was a success because we both [...]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp put their exploration skills to the test during day land navigation on Fort Knox, June 15. During land navigation, Cadets are expected to find plotted points. Cadet Tyler Derr, Shippensburg University, Pa., explains that process. “You plot your points on a map and find the direction of the points that you want to go to next; find how far it takes you to get there and just travel,” Derr said. “It was awesome because it was my first time doing land navigation. It was a success because we both [...]

by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp battled the feats of Beaudoin Obstacle Course on Fort Knox, Ky., June 15 as part of their Cadet Summer Training (CST). The obstacle course is designed to challenge those who brave it’s stations, but Cadets say working together as a team is key. Cadet Joel Mock, University of Central Florida, Fla., agreed teamwork was the best part of the course. “The bars were definitely the hardest part for each platoon so just cheering each other on was a really good experience, really motivated and I enjoyed it,” said Mock. “I [...]

by Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.- Cadets of 5th Regiment Advanced Camp arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., for day zero of Cadet Summer Training (CST) June 14. These Cadets will spend the next 30 days developing leadership skills, tactical skills and character to become the Army’s newest 2nd Lieutenants. 2nd Lt. Joshua Jackson, commissioned from Central State University, Ohio, hopes to use his experiences from Advanced Camp to relate to Cadets. “I’m going to make sure they understand that I was also in this situation and training and give them that look on what Cadets are and aren’t suppose to do. [...]