By: Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, KY. –On August 13, 2017, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) John Wayne Troxell visited Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, CSM Troxell is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the senior noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. In this role, he serves as the principal military advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel. CSM Troxell enlisted [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson Almost from the day someone decides to become a soldier, or at least try, leadership comes into play. It is taught, it is learned, it is cemented, and repeated throughout training. Over time, countless leadership books have been written. And during a soldier’s career, the opportunity to lead is guaranteed to happen. Yet it is an elusive concept, something that always seems a little bit out of reach. Anybody can technically command people, given some power. The military is built on a principle that orders will be obeyed regardless of one’s personal feelings. However, true leadership means that [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –On August 6, 2017, 8 Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets officially graduated in Fort Knox, Ky, after successfully going through Cadet Summer Training (CST). A wide variety of attitudes and determinations arrived thirty-one days ago at the program. Many viewed the training as an opportunity to advance their future careers in the military. Some just wanted the experience. By the end of the training, units within the regiment would see themselves as a cohesive, well-trained group ready to meet the world. The graduation focused on the past and present legacy of leadership the regiment represented. Veterans, [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –On July, 12, 2017, Cadets traveled to Africa to gain experience interacting with foreign cultures using the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Proficiency program (CULP) . This will prepare them for future deployment operations where they will be required to coexist with other nations. Cadet Sophia Walker from Baylor University wrote, “It was another fantastic week in Senegal. We were finally able to leave the city and delve into the countryside, where we experienced and witnessed the Senegalese traditional way of life. Birame, our previously mentioned interpreter, kindly opened his village up to us, and we, alongside [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –On July 30, 2017, Advanced Camp, 8 Regiment Cadets’ time is officially coming to a close at Fort Knox, after successfully going through Cadet Summer Training (CST). An after action review (AAR) is conducted where Cadets review their time and express their thoughts on how things can be done differently. If they speak up, Cadets are required to present a possible solution for the issue they have raised. Cadet Elijah Teixeira expressed that, “We criticize the bad things and harp on the good things that we can do. It just helps build that overall individual…” [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –On July 28, 2017, 5 Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets officially graduated in Fort Knox, Ky, after successfully going through Cadet Summer Training (CST). A wide variety of attitudes and determinations arrived thirty-one days ago at the program. Many viewed the training as an opportunity to advance their future careers in the military. Some just wanted the experience. By the end of the training, units within the regiment would see themselves as a cohesive, well-trained group ready to meet the world. The graduation focused on the past and present legacy of leadership the regiment represented. Veterans, [...]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-Basic Camp, 5 Regiment went into the woods to the Forest Hills Climbing Complex to complete their High Ropes (Confidence Course) at Fort Knox, Ky on June 25, 2017. Regardless whether one has a fear of heights, the course proves challenging in balance and coordination. Cadets are required to complete all obstacles throughout the couple of hours. Safety procedures are implemented and Cadets are secured in place with harnesses and safety lines. This is one of the first opportunities that Basic Camp Cadets can begin to truly rely on their battle buddies. An important part of [...]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-Basic Camp Regiment 7 just arrived and have begun to learn the basics of being a soldier at Fort Knox, Ky. Even though most of the basics covered during field craft might seem like a repeat to the Cadets, it is important that every one understands hygiene and cautionary procedures while out in the field and on post. The Cadets are brought into a classroom and briefed on the dangers of letting their person go and not maintaining a standard of cleanliness. Soldiers are expected to keep their person clean, healthy, and ready at all times. [...]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-9 Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets got up early to complete their Army Physical Fitness Test at Fort Knox, Ky on June 15, 2017. The test involved doing sit-ups, push-ups, and a two-mile run. Cadets are expected to pass the minimum requirement, and some go well beyond. Gender and age determine what requisite the individual must meet. Cadre over see the process keeping time and calling out orders as the Cadets try to get a best time and count in the different physical exercises. Physical fitness has long been a foundation in army training and a core [...]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-7 Regiment Basic Camp Cadets headed outdoors to practice drill and ceremony on June 9, 2017 at Fort Knox, Ky. Drill and ceremony is one of the first events Cadets participate in after their arrival at Fort Knox. Everyone is required to show up and practice following orders, learning how to march and respond correctly to leadership. This is the time where new Cadets can receive their first taste of army culture. The history of drill and ceremony goes way back to the Revolutionary War. According to Staff Sgt. Gene Lucas, Chaplain’s office and Army Sustainment [...]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 8, 2017, Advanced Camp Cadets of the 7 Regiment, engaged with call for fire training at Fort Knox, Ky. The goal of the training is to accurately estimate range in order to call in artilliery, successfully locating and destroying enemy targets during a combat situation. Computer programming is employed as the unit learns to find locations and engage a hostile person, object, or place . A communication system called fire discipline is used by the military in the directing of artillery engagement. Even though only a few soldiers actually carry out indirect fire [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 15, 2017, 4 Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets officially arrived at Fort Knox, Ky to start their thirty-one days of Cadet Summer Training (CST). The Cadets will go through a series of briefings to prepare them for the physically and mentally demanding situations they will encounter during CST. Some of the things covered are basic standards and expectations with a focus on equal opportunity and sexual harassment. All arriving Cadets will have their personal stuff vetted and be issued new equipment to use during their time at Fort Knox. Physical exams and fitness tests [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 25, 2017, 1 Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets officially graduated in Fort Knox, Ky, after successfully going through Cadet Summer Training (CST). A wide variety of attitudes and determinations arrived thirty-one days ago at the program. Many viewed the training as an opportunity to advance their future careers in the military. Some just wanted the experience. By the end of the training, units within the regiment would see themselves as a cohesive, well-trained group ready to meet the world. The graduation focused on the past and present legacy of leadership the regiment represented. Veterans, [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky. – On May 25, Cadet Summer Training officially commenced at Fort Knox. The leaders of tomorrow, in every sense, are being trained during the summer of 2017. Over 9,000 Cadets from all over the nation fly into the heat of Kentucky to complete a thirty-one day course that will equip them for the future. There are ten Advanced Camp regiments, each with an average of five hundred and fifty to six hundred individuals. The first phase involves reception, staging, and onward movement. These eight days lay the foundation for training and help Cadets adjust to [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson. FORT KNOX, KY. –Basic Camp, Third Regiment Cadets, took to the field on June 23, 2017, to learn introduction into small unit tactics in Fort Knox, Kentucky. “Cadet Smith described training as, “Cadets are learning individual movement techniques, learning how to low crawl, high crawl. They’re also learning to react to contact.” Cadets moved up a field of lanes where these different movements techniques were practiced throughout the day. Teams of two learned how to work together and provide cover for each other under fighting conditions, such as simulated smoke and enemy fire. Face painting took place as [...]

By: Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 20, 2017, the Acting Secretary of the Army, Hon. Robert M. Speer visited Fort Knox and spent a day touring training sites and visiting with Cadets going through Cadet Summer Training. Secretary Speer has served for twenty-eight years in the U.S. Army. Aside from serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, he also was the managing director for PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Services, heading their defense and military business. On January 20, 2017, he was appointed to Acting Secretary of [...]