FORT KNOX, Ky. — 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are walking into the woods in the rain during the Field Training Exercise July 16, 2018. From college classroom to Army labs, those Cadets need to manipulate a series of mock battles that pit one platoon against another in the forest, defend themselves in the ‘jungle’ of tall grass, or walking across timbers in the pouring rain. The Field Training Exercise is designed to test the skills, knowledge and leadership capabilities of Cadets. It presents them with a lot of autonomy in planning and execution. Cadet Matthew Shannon, Xavier University,  is the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Physical strength, mental perseverance, and unbreakable will were the name of the game as the Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp powered through the final graded event of Cadet Summer Training…the 12-mile Ruck March. “The Odyssey” by Homer tells the story of Odysseus, a man faced with countless struggles and trials as he attempts to make his way back home following the events of the Trojan war. Throughout the story, Odysseus finds a way to persevere, regardless of the peril and uncertainty that stood in front of him. For the Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, their odyssey lacks the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Preparation; the eleven-letter word that carries a pivotal meaning to the Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp. Tasked with the objective of creating thorough and concise battle formations, the Cadets prepare for every outcome imaginable when conducting their Squad Battle Drills. Although today focused on walkthroughs and practice, the foundation being set will undoubtedly lead to success down the line. The late and great John Wooden, world renowned philosopher and hall of fame college basketball coach, built one of the most successful dynasties in all of sports during his time at UCLA. The key to his team’s successes […]

Fort Knox, Ky. — 43 Cadets were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants during the End of Camp Commissioning Ceremony for 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp July 14, 2018. Most of these Lieutenants returned from last summer and spent 31 days this year on Fort Knox in Advanced Camp Training. During the summer, they learned new tactical, soldiering skills, and leadership techniques. Everyone is trying their best to get to know how their own leadership styles will contribute to the total Army. “Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory.”  For those Cadets who completed their 31 days Advanced Camp training, the commissioning […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated from Cadet Summer Training after 31 days here at Fort Knox. While most soon to be college seniors spend their summer sitting pool side, or working part time jobs, for Army ROTC Cadets, they have a very different summer experience: 31 days, in the humidity and heat of the Kentucky wilderness to better themselves as future Army Officers. “My biggest take away has been the leadership opportunities I got in the field. We were put into some very stressful situations but it helped me grow and learn as a leader,” recalled Cadet Soren Johnson, Wheaton […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – While the rest of the world slept, Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp pushed through the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) early this morning. At 5:00 a.m. sharp, Cadre members started their timers and began counting off as Cadet after Cadet completed their two minutes’ worth of sit ups and push ups before heading to the dreaded two-mile run. Tension and heavy breathing filled the pavilion as Cadets prepared themselves for the next task to come. As the drill sergeant yelled out a five-minute warning, Cadets filed into formation, prepping their watches and steadying their breathing. To start the run, the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—6th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducts Situational Training Exercise (STX) Lanes to help prepare them for their Field Training Exercises. You have to walk before you can run, and you have to be able to crawl before you can walk. This idea is something that has been adopted here at Cadet Summer Training, Advanced Camp. Before Cadets can run raids, ambushes and leaders recons in the field without any assistance, they have to know the basic Army doctrine on how to conduct each step of these missions. The STX Lanes is the crawl phase. “I feel this part of training is […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  Cadet participating in Field Training Exercises are expected to live, breath and eat in the outdoors. Their lives revolve around preparing for their missions, but when a mission consists of only minutes of heart-racing, blood boiling action the Cadets spend the majority of their time at temporary camps, ‘enjoying’ downtime. 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets were 15 days into their FTX. Their first day of the Cadet led FTX experience. Prior to July 11 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, they had their ‘hands held’ as they learned the ropes and received specific orders from Cadre, freshly commissioned lieutenants […]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Sixth Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets completed their session of Call for Fire! What exactly is Call for Fire and is it an important skill to master? After speaking to a few Cadets who successfully completed the exercise, we have those answers. John Atwood from Auburn University explained in his own words what Call for Fire is. “Today we worked on Call for Fire. We’ve had a few classes on Call for Fire before, but nothing as in depth as what we just learned in there. Basically, they split us up into eight groups and we take classes and […]

FORT KNOX, Ky – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp set their marks and took their best shots, as guests from the Kentucky State Cabinet visited and observed what goes on during Weapons Qualification on July 10, 2018. After practicing grouping and zeroing their shots the day before, Cadets were tested on their abilities at the George Blair “pop- up” range. “Today, we are qualifying at the range to test our marksmanship skills,” stated Cadet Bryant Sullivan, East Carolina University. “The whole point of this is to ensure that your battle buddy next to you can do something as simple as […]

Fort Knox, KY—As 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp’s time at Fort Knox comes to a close, a small group of 44 cadets earned their commission as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army. On a sunny and very hot Monday afternoon here at Fort Knox, inside the cool air of the Waybur theater, family members and friends of about to be commissioned Cadets chatted and milled around as they waited for the ceremony to begin While most Cadets traditionally commission at their universities a day before they graduate, some Cadets for various reason such as injury, sickness, or emergencies, are unable to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp,  Cadets graduated from their training at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 10, 2018. Friends and family gathered around the steamy parade field at Fort Knox, sitting on shiny-hot  bleachers as they prepared to have their Cadets graduate. Before the ceremony began Maj. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr. gave a short speech congratulating the Cadets on successfully committing to and conquering the trials of Advance Camp. Then he gave thanks to the families for raising children that were inspired to serve. The Cadets went through several rounds of attention and parade rest. Showing off their hard earned […]

FORT KNOX, Ky – After nearly a month apart from their loved ones, 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets greeted their families and friends with smiles, hugs, and kisses on Family Day, July 9, 2018. While parents and siblings finished viewing a presentation in Waybur Theater, cadets lined up in formation outside the door. The joy was radiating off the cadets, as chatter of plans and excitement filled the air. With only 8 or 9 hours before they must return, Cadets try to make the most of their time outside the gate. “I think we might be headed to see Lincoln’s birthplace, […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – 7th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets challenged their fear during the Obstacle Course June 9, 2018. The Obstacle Course is one of the training events that Cadets must go through for Advanced Camp graduation in the military. Cadets have to maneuver various obstacles during the event, such as climbing ladders and ropes, walking across the wooden logs aloft, crawling backward in the sand, and many others. A lot of Cadets have done an Obstacle Course before, but most of them are really frustrated with the higher and more difficult structures today. The activities are challenging for the Cadets; however, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets were found covered with mud in the testing ground of the Platoon Situational Training Exercise on July 8. The Platoon Situational Training Exercise (STX) is a short, scenario-driven and mission-oriented exercise designed to train Soldiers and guide them to successfully complete missions throughout their careers. “The Platoon Situational Training Exercise (STX) is what we call the learning phases of the field exercise for Cadets to learn about the basic offensive operations as well as some defensive operations,” Captain Lee Harding from the Temple University explained. “And we are here to offer some […]

Fort Knox, Ky.- It’s a tale as old as time….You can always find the beauty in the beast and that’s exactly what Cadets did when they took on the Rappel Tower and Confidence Course. Today 6th Regiment Advanced Camp went to the Rappel tower and the Confidence Course. For the Rappel Tower, Cadets started on a 20-foot starter wall before conquering the 64-foot wall. The 20-foot wall gives the Cadets a small taste of what the 64-foot wall will be like. It also helps familiarize Cadets with the technique required to successfully get down the wall. The 20-foot wall is perfect for […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Early this morning, Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp tested their strengths in leadership and communication by engaging in a Field Training Exercise. The purpose of the FTX is to improve and examine Cadets’ cooperation skills within themselves and also within their platoon, while preparing them for possible combat situations. The FTX is a physical, as well as, mental challenge for Cadets. Cadet Jack Korbitz, University of Wyoming, explains what the main components are for a successful FTX. “The main things to have a successful FTX is good communication between all the squads, everyone needs to know what […]

By Michele Brisco and Joel Polarek At 5:30 a.m, most college students roll over in a warm bed, drooling on their pillow. For Cadets in 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, 5:30 a.m. means it’s time for their APFT – Army Physical Fitness Test. Cadets must pass benchmarks for push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. “It takes a lot of preparation, especially since we’ve had a few days of just eating MREs, as well as not really having an opportunity to work out.” Cadet Christopher Pirrie from the University of Tampa shared. “Just know that your score might drop a little bit due to that.” […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – One month ago, the Cadets of 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp arrived at the Paul Disney Complex, ready to embark on a journey that would open the door to a bright and promising future. On the 5th of July, that journey met its fruitful end as the Cadets lined up in front of family and distinguished guests alike, graduating and ready to move on to the next stage of Army life. For the 31 days that the Cadets spent in Fort Knox, they did nothing but strive for success. They woke up every morning at the crack of dawn finding energy […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Dozens of chemlight glow sticks bobbed in the darkness as Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp pushed through a 12-mile ruck with 35 pounds in their rucksacks on July 5, with staggered step-off times starting at 3:30AM. The timed, 4-hour “forced” road march requires Cadets to exercise their physical fitness and mental strength, which is also needed to be able to quickly and efficiently move a unit from one place to another. Cadets from Alpha Company, the second company to step-off, started rucking at 3:40AM, beginning their final must-pass event at Cadet Summer Training. About 20 minutes […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets continued their field training exercise at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 6, 2018. The Cadets participated in an ambush field exercise.  The goal of the platoon was to prevent the enemy from resupplying, while obtaining any information possible. Cadet Joshua Tribble, South Carolina State University, says the tactical skills are important, but what the Cadre are really looking for are your inner qualities during these exercises. “Our best qualities and our worst qualities are going to come out,” he said. “People that can deal with the pressure and people that can’t deal with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Families and friends packed into Waybur Theater on family day to learn about what the Cadets have been doing during Advanced Camp, at Fort Knox July 4, 2018. Parents left the theater and waited in the sweltering parking lot near the parade field to wait for the Cadets to be bussed in. Once the Cadets arrived they rushed from the buses to the parade field, some quickly grabbing hugs or waving at their families. After getting into formation they began getting briefed on the rules of family day. Once released Cadets sprinted either toward family members or […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – After a long awaited four years, Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp commissioned as U.S. Army Second Lieutenants at the End of Camp Commissioning Ceremony on July 3rd. Families and friends gathered in the Waybur Theater to pin the gold bars on to their fresh-out-of-camp Cadets shoulders. The Commissioning Ceremony included guest speaker, Lt. Gen. Theodore Martin, Deputy Commanding General, TRADOC. Cadets listened diligently while Martin expressed to them the importance of their role in the U.S Army and how he has the utmost confidence in their abilities. “Have confidence. The foundation has been laid by your families, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cayenne pepper is a season of choice for many, but purposely breathing it in is not. CS gas feels as if ground cayenne pepper is in your airways, sinuses, eyes, and on your skin. Your mind can only focus on the pain flanking you from every angle. The NBC Chamber took center stage Monday during 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp’s CBRN contamination training. While this was a painful experience, it does not compare to exposure from a stronger substance. CBRN training covers chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events. America’s enemies have no problem using these warfare tactics. In an effort […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Black silhouettes peeked out across the pop-up range. The challenge is not where they are going to appear, but when. 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets shot M-4s in the prone supported, prone unsupported, and kneeling positions, changing aim to keep the target in sight. Cadre use this exercise to familiarize Cadets with the pop-up mechanism and enhance their basic marksmanship skills. They will encounter the pop-up range often as Lieutenants. Between using blanks in Field Training Exercises and live-rounds on the pop-up range, Cadets have come as close as possible to understanding organized combat tactics thanks to these […]