Fort Knox, Ky.–The Cadre participated in an event called Alternate Course of Fire (ALT-C) at Schroeder shooting range. In this event they practiced on a Known Distance Range, a range that allows the participants to shoot at 100, 200 and 300 meters to test their lethality and grouping. Task Force Lethal and the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) led the training. Task Force Lethal is a unit from Fort Carson, Colorado who came to Fort Knox to teach Cadets for the summer. The Army Marksmanship Unit is a part of the Army that provides arms training for the soldiers. First Lieutenant Adrian [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcqG0b6XNg[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. — First Regiment Cadets were put through their first Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to see if they meet the basic required physical standards. The first APFT is a way to see if the Cadets are in top physical shape when they arrive at Advanced Camp. The Cadets will hopefully only have to take the test once, however, they will get the opportunity to re-test if they fail. The test covers these three events: push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. Maj. Edward Adams, an ROTC instructor at Gonzaga University, said “We generally would like for them [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA90w2YDKmk[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – This summer there will be several special events and ceremonies taking place at Fort Knox highlighting the success of thousands of U.S. Army Cadets. Cadets will reunite with family members on Family Day, discover the 17 different branches of the Army during Branch Orientation and proudly graduate on Graduation Day. Previously, Fort Knox hosted a commissioning ceremony for the Cadets. This year, the commissioning ceremonies are taking place at their universities instead. Each of these ceremonies are rooted in years of tradition. Darrell Olson, Cadet Summer Training (CST) special events planner, said tradition is a [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzJZGRK93ic[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky.– Today Cadre processed incoming Cadets who are here for the 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp. The Cadets started by going through all of their belongings to make sure they had everything required. Cadets who had items missing were sent to the Central Issue Facility (CIF). 2nd Lt. Tyler Sisson from Enterprise, Al. said inprocessing is important to have a successful summer. It lasts about two days, and this is also when Cadets learn who are in their companies and platoons. If Cadets do not have all of their gear, “it could harm their capabilities when they are [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Summer Training 2018 came to a close today as the Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated in front of family and friends. The ceremony took place in Natcher Gym, which allowed for booming echoes as the Cadets sounded off and sang proudly. The atmosphere created was the perfect way to cap off this year’s summer of training. Maj. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr. took the microphone for the last time this summer to address the Cadets and guests. He spoke of the right of passage all these Cadets had just made it through, and the long [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – For the majority of Cadets that come through Fort Knox for Cadet Summer Training, both Basic and Advanced Camp serve as their first real look at what to expect as an Army Officer. For two cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, however, the journey to commissioning has been seven, even 12 years in the making. While the average age for a commissioned 2nd Lt. ranges between 21 and 23, these two Cadets are redefining what it means to be young commissioned officers. With two days left before 10th Regiment bids farewell to Fort Knox, Cadet Darren Fossett, Shippensburg University, reflected [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets wander from tent to tent in Keyes Park hunting for the perfect branch, as graduation and commissioning ceremonies are in the next few days. 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spend a cloudy and rainy morning exploring job opportunities, equipment, and military vehicles related to their top branch choices. For some, like Cadet Jacob Van Dyke, Virginia Military Institute, this is a time to learn about branches they have not considered before. “I haven’t really considered the armor branch,” Cadet Van Dyke said. “Just now I had a brief orientation to it, and it seems like something I’d [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” The Mark Twain quote used by Col. Scott Sonsalla during his speech to the Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp and their families perfectly sums up the sentiments of today’s graduation. For the group of Cadets, the ceremony marks a coming of age and one giant step closer to becoming Army Officers. The morning sun shined on the cheerful faces of the young Cadets, as they stood proudly at attention. Maj. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr. began [...]

Standing in formation,  I wait. My heart, racing as I stare. Double doors open like flood gates,  I am hit. A tidal wave of emotion. I see you, the sea of people. Your smiling face, my beacon. Guiding me to your warm embrace, A tight, loving hug, A tender kiss. You choke back tears in your eyes And tell me how proud you are. I am exuberant in the moment. Free.          

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Picture this: a karaoke contest where you are surrounded by dozens of friends and spirits are high — only it’s 3:30 a.m. and your requirements are your boots, your rucksack, your Kevlar and an occasional air guitar solo. Welcome to 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp’s 12-mile ruck march. For these Cadets, the 12-miler is the final must-pass event before graduation. After waking up hours before Fort Knox even sees the sun to march nearly the length of a half marathon, Cadets must finish their final ruck in less than four hours. To pass the time, some Cadets find creative [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp spent the morning at Keyes Park, exploring all the different branches that the Army has to offer. The point of the Army’s take on a job fair, is to educate and enlighten the young Cadets so they can feel as confident as possible when creating their list of branches in the coming days. Just as this morning’s rain promised growth and new beginnings, so did Keyes Park for the Cadets of 9th Regiment. With over a dozen different branches to choose from, creating that dream list can often be challenging and scary. It’s [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Silence. For the Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp the most soul-piercing moment about their Field Training Exercise does not come from the chaos of enemy fire, but from the nothingness that inhabits the silence. Waking up at the crack of dawn, the Cadets take their posts inside the Central Command Base, located deep in the Kentucky wilderness. They form a circular perimeter around the base and sit as the silence fills the calm, cool air. Thoughts begin to wander, drifting towards the coming storm – the inevitable attack from the Opposing Force troops. With each passing moment the [...]

FORT KNOX – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp was given the honor of being the last group of Cadets to be commissioned during Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, August 8, 2018. The warm lighting of Waybur Theatre and the polished notes of the Army brass band set the tone for this momentous step in the lives of these three women and seven men. This End of Camp Commissioning comes as the last hurrah for these 10 new second lieutenants. Maj. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., Commanding General of Cadet Command and Fort Knox, was the guest speaker at the commissioning ceremony and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their last required event prior to their graduation: the 12-mile ruck march. Despite the early morning Kentucky humidity and heat, Cadets lined up to complete the event. “It’s the last big thing we do before we graduate. It was tough, we got up at like 1:30am but we got through it,” said Cadet Joshua Bell, Liberty University. Even though the 12-mile ruck march is the last thing that Cadets do prior to graduation, most Cadets say it is one of the most physically and mentally demanding aspects of Advanced Camp. Cadets ruck through some of [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Finished with their training at Advanced Camp, Cadets were eager to link up with family and friends they have not seen in over a month.  8th Regiment Cadets couldn’t help but to start contacting their family members through text messages to figure out what was on the agenda for the day. Grace Sullivan, Bucknell University stood in the very front of her platoon, swaying back and forth from the anxiety of being able to be with her parents. ” I haven’t really talked much to my parents since they took our phone away in the field, so both my [...]

THE STORY OF THE FIRST ORTHODOX JEW AT ADVANCED CAMP AT FT KNOX FORT KNOX, Ky.— Cadet Michael (Aryeh) Urist from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, carries more than the standard weight in his rucksack during his time at Cadet Summer Training. Urist carries a week’s worth of MRE’s and the pressure of maintaining his religion in the field. Urist is an Orthodox Jew, meaning he adheres to the Torah. He follows strict jewish law on Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath. He is the first Orthodox Jew to complete Advanced Camp since camp has been hosted at Fort Knox. He eats a kosher [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp role-played as the Opposing Forces, also known as OPFOR, during Field Training Exercises, FTX, Aug. 5 at Area of Operation Panther. The OPFOR Cadets were conducting a defense mission against American forces that are trying to take the mortar tubes they have at the OPFOR patrol base. This helps the Cadets who are the American forces learn how to properly carry out and complete an objective and mission. Also, it teaches the OPFOR cadets proper defense techniques when they are in the offensive side. Prior enlisted Cadet Mike Powell, from University of [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- For many Cadets, Camp may be the first time that they have had exposure to any type of Military training. However, for others, they have acquired skills from special schools that set them apart from their peers. Cadets from 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp are proud to talk about their prior work within the Military. Cadet Hannah Gillan, Virginia Military Institute, explained SERE [Survive Evade Resist Escape] school and how it felt  being a Cadet attending such a tough program. “I didn’t know what to expect the entire time,” started Gillan, “easily the most rewarding [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Delta Company, bound forward! Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp navigated their way through FTX this morning August 6, 2018. In order to have a successful Field Training Exercise, Cadets must communicate well with each other and correctly prepare for their mission. Whether the mission is an assault, a retreat or a defense. Cadets from Delta Company faced the Opposing Forces while planning an attack on the objective, Olympia. What was originally planned as a deliberate attack, but due to making contact during the leader’s recon, it turned into a hasty attack. Cadet Matt Wilder, The Citadel, was [...]

FORT KNOX – 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in a raid during their Field training exercise at Fort Knox, August 6th. During the raid exercise, the opposing force was able to overcome the Cadets by eliminating 20-percent of their platoon, leaving them combat ineffective. A key reason the platoon failed their raid was due to bad placement of the support team. Cadet Victoria Smith, Texas A&M, was part of the support by fire element tasked with suppressing the enemy while the assaulting element could move in and conduct the raid. “We didn’t have very good visual of the enemy,” she [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — We ruck through life trying to figure out the lessons along the way, hoping we are becoming a better version of ourselves. Cadets from 9thRegiment, Advanced Camp reflect on why they’re at Cadet Summer Training and what they’ve learned during Field Exercise Training. Today, the Cadets originally planned to conduct a hasty attack. Cadets set up a defensive position and switch over to an offensive position. However, things change. “We did get ambushed,” Cadet Lauren Martinez, University of Kentucky, said. “So…that changes the plan, right? We have to think on our feet.” Field Training Exercises throw curveballs [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Up before the sun, the Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, prepared for their final graduation task. The long awaited, 12 mile ruck march. Throughout Fort Knox, sights of mile markers and chem lights crowded the roads. As Cadets were stepping it out for the final stretch of the ruck march, a couple of Cadets were in their Company area waiting for their battle buddies. The 12 miler is an event that should be completed in under 4 hours, however there were a handful cadets who finished before the 2 hour and 50 minute mark. Cadet Dylan Gadille, University [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. — 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets graduate from Cadet Summer Training at Brooks Field August 4, 2018. When the band plays the National Anthem, every military member stands and salutes; while others not in the uniform stand up and face the American Flag. The graduation ceremony starts with the formation of troops. Cadets are organized and lined up in coordination with their fellow teammate in the middle of the field, then demonstrate precision movements and marching skills to their family and friends. The ceremony marks the culmination of 31 days of rigorous and intensive training, signifying the completion [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp ambushed Opposing Forces, also known as OPFOR, during Field Training Exercises on August 1, at Area of Operation Grizzly. When the Cadets woke up that morning, described Cadet Olan Field, they knew that they were going to be conducting an ambush but weren’t exactly sure where. “We had to … go and find out information and then utilize that information that we received into our next mission,” stated Field. Platoon Sergeant Cadet Perry Patton, a student at Harding University, explained that a leader’s reconnaissance element met up with a defector who [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. –  9th Regt., Advanced Camp Cadets of Delta Co., 2nd Platoon took a beating during their attack on Objective Olympus out at their Field Training Exercises (FTX) early this morning. Cadets had a left, center and right squad setting up a perimeter in order to surround the enemy….or they were supposed to. Two Squad Leader’s were unable to contact the remaining Squad and had to physically track them down in the wood to establish their position. Once the attack started, not one but TWO Squads got taken out by the numerous enemy machine guns. While the Platoon engaged [...]