“As the Cadets graduate Advanced Camp, their next big test for them will be their Basic Officer Leadership Course, and it is paramount that they have some experience,” said Master Sgt. Patrick Saltsman from San Diego State University about the importance of the range. Cadets from 5thRegiment, Advanced Camp battled high heat and humidity, showing their true officer potential, while taking on the Handiboe Zero and Alt-C qualification course at the range. Before coming to the range, the Cadets attended Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction to learn the fundamentals of shooting. Now, they are putting theory into action with an M4 carbine assault [...]

The Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program gives the opportunity for Cadets to participate in military training and engage in humanitarian works throughout the world. Recently, Cadets from Honduras, Vietnam, and Thailand returned to the United States after spending three weeks with their CULP teams out-of-country. This experience is meant to train future army officers on how other cultures and militaries operate. Cadet Dana Gertschen, who deployed to Honduras, described the importance of CULP for future officers, “As a leader, it’s important to have perspective. A leader with perspective can think about a situation or a problem in a wise and reasonable [...]

Amidst the gunfire and low-crawls, fighting in the thick of the woods, Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp fought to win back their prisoners of war. Sunday made the third and final day of the platoon Situational Training Exercise for the Cadets. During this training Cadets practiced operating as a platoon in a non-conventional war setting. The first day of STX was Cadre-led. Cadre walked and talked Cadets through each scenario and each battle drill. After this, they progressed to being Cadre-assisted. During this time, the Cadets took charge, but Cadre walked with them to assist when it was needed. The last phase was [...]

Through the rain showers, heat and all other obstacles, Cadets from 2ndRegiment, Advanced Camp are learning to “love the suck” as they go through squad battle drills, in the words of Cadet Andrew Fisher. Fisher, from George Washington University, explained that because of the preparations for FTX through the squad battle drill, he and his fellow Cadets are learning how the role of a squad fits into the larger picture of a platoon. He emphasized how important squads were in the entire mission of the platoon. Maj. Brent Anderson, Platoon Tactical Officer for 4thPlatoon, Delta Company, 3rdRegiment further explained that the [...]

Many events in life are stressful even when you have all of the details. I’m sure we all know at least one person that needs all of the details before they can decide whether they are going to do something. Now imagine going into an event with no information to go off of. For some situations, this can turn out alright—but in combat, details are necessary. What is the enemy wearing? Where are they located? What is the situation that you are dealing with? These are just some of the questions that might get sent or received by a radio operator. [...]

Cadets in Advanced Camp, 3rd Regiment began their Friday afternoon by stepping into the Confidence Chamber. During Advanced Camp, Cadets undergo training for Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, and Nuclear Attack. This training ultimately leads up to the Confidence Chamber, where Cadets are exposed to CS gas. This training exercise is meant to give Cadets confidence in the effectiveness of the equipment that the Army provides in case of a chemical attack. When they first enter the Confidence Chamber, the Cadets are suited up in their MOPP gear, including a mask. Then the Cadets are asked to take their mask off so that they [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.— With only one week left of Basic Camp for the Cadets of 1st Regiment, the obstacle course provided further team-building and self-confidence. Cadet Gabrielle Johnson from Miami, Fla., studying at the University of Central Florida, said, “Some courses were hard for certain people, but with the motivation from others, our peers, it helped us push through.” Johnson recalled the ruck march that the Cadets did earlier in the morning and how she found the strength to push through after falling behind because of the support from the other Cadets. In the same way, she tries to lift the other [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.— When people would usually be winding down for the night, the Cadets from 1stRegiment, Basic Camp were busy preparing for Night Land Navigation. Land navigation tests the Cadets’ skills of using their map, compass and protractor. By keeping a pace count the Cadets will be able to find checkpoints. Excitement ran through some Cadets as the beginning of the mission was drawing closer. Cadet Matthew Manns from Phoenix City, Ala. is attending Newberry College. He said, “This is my first time being on a new course, so I’m pretty excited to jump into it.” Master Sgt. Duffy, Senior [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from First Regiment Advanced Camp continued preparation for the Squad Battle Drill by planning, as a squad, the tactics that they will be implementing for the drill. Staff Sgt. Richard Baxter with the University of Maryland explained that during the Squad Battle Drill Cadets would be conducting an ambush on a point target, which will later lead to an ambush on an area target. Baxter described just what the Cadets’ mission is for this drill,  “The purpose of it is to surprise the enemy, basically, and to destroy the enemy.” The Cadets, gathered around a makeshift [...]