FORT KNOX, Ky.– At Cadet Summer Training, Cadets come from across the United States and beyond to learn. One of the Army’s greatest strengths is its diversity and Cadet Rahul Khanal from the University of Colorado Denver, shares how his story of duty and pride has carried him across oceans to become an Army officer. Originally from Nepal in South Asia, Khanal traveled to the United States when he was 19 years old. “This was the land of opportunity. I was going to college, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology,” Khanal said. “I got a chance to join the military […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence course training where they rappelled off a 64-foot tower at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. Cadets learned how to properly rappel, the safety of rappelling, and how to tie a rappel seat, called a Swiss Seat, before rappelling off the rappel tower. The purpose of the rappel training is to have Cadets gain confidence in themselves and overcome their fears. Cadets made their way to the slant wall to practice rappelling before walking up the stairs to the rappel tower. Cadet Amy Beaden from Northern Arizona University, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –- Cadet Jillian Strong from the University of Pittsburgh, 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, works with her fellow squad members after completing Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. At the EST, Cadets learn how to safely handle their weapons, while working on their shooting positions and trigger manipulation. Strong said that after completing the EST, she is going to go into future marksmanship training feeling more confident. “The EST was super interesting because it was as realistic as you could get to a gun range from the inside of a building,” Strong said. “In any […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, conducted preliminary marksmanship instruction at Fort Knox, Ky. on July 22, 2023. PMI teaches Cadets the fundamentals of marksmanship before qualification. Cadets rotate through five different stations that teach them skills, such as how to properly clear their weapons, load a magazine and aim their weapons. Cadet Bethany Burke from The Pennsylvania State University, felt confident going into PMI, as she has prior shooting experience through her university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. “I’ve been shooting about three or four times at my university,” Burke said. “I’m definitely not a […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Team Development Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 22, 2023. The FLRC consists of different obstacles that are designed to mentally and physically challenge Cadets. They must learn to critically think, solve problems, and work together as a team to find the solutions to the obstacles. The purpose of the FLRC is to train Cadets how important communication is within a team and to build confidence in one another. Cadet Catherine Saumell from Texas State University, trained on an obstacle that consisted of tall heavy blocks of wood that […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 21, 2023. The EST is a simulated training event that teaches Cadets important marksmanship skills in several environments. Cadet Kevin Kirby, Pennsylvania State University, shares his thoughts on the training. “My favorite part of the EST was the shooting simulation,” Kirby stated. “I really enjoyed that because I was able to actually see myself improve each round.” The EST includes virtual firing ranges to test Cadets’ accuracy and improve their marksmanship skills. This simulation allows each person to become familiar with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Battle March and Shoot at Fort Knox, Ky., July 21, 2023. The BMS consisted of a four mile tactical road march to the Schroeder Range. When Cadets arrived, they fired two rounds at ten targets to zero at different differences.  The purpose of the BMS is to train Cadets on how to shoot accurately while under stress and maintaining their fundamentals of shooting.  Cadet Rachel Oliva from University of Pittsburgh, talked about her experience during the BMS while having her battle buddies by her side.  “Once we stepped off […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, participated in the rappel tower during Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 21, 2023. The 64-feet rappel tower is  designed to help Cadets build confidence in their equipment and themselves. Mastering rappelling is essential for military personnel and the tower offers a controlled setting for Cadets to learn and practice this skill. Cadet Andrew Dodson from The University of Alabama shares his experience at the rappel tower. “I was excited because it is fun, it’s a cool experience and then,” Dodson stated. “It is my second time […]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Benjamin L. Greer, Virginia Military Institute First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Grayson A. Rosa, East Carolina University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Virginia A. Howard, University of South Carolina Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Noble D. Dodge, Virginia Military Institute ARNG Minuteman AwardCadet Ryan D. Fischer, State University of New York at Geneseo Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Biance C. Klepper, Norwich University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Tyler C. Murray, South Dakota State University Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Kirsten L.B. Cooper, Fayetteville State University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Christian T. […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Warrior Skills training event at Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023. Warrior Skills introduces Cadets to many procedures that focus on the fundamentals of munitions and range finding. The Cadets have hands-on experience that allow them to understand important Soldiering tactics. Cadet Brandon De La Rosa, from East Stroudsburg University, shares his thoughts on the importance of Warrior Skills. “I was successful in throwing today because the grenade was like a baseball,” De la Rosa said. “A lot of kids grew up playing baseball, including me, so it was […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, participated in the Field Leader Reaction Course as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023. During the FLRC, Cadets go through a series of obstacles that test both their mental and physical skills while also seeing how well they can work as a team.  Cadet Michael Zirpola from Troy University shares his experience at the FLRC. “It’s going great, we are working as a team and we’ve got a lot of unit cohesion,” Zirpola said. “We are faced with challenges and obstacles but we’ve […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.– Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, spent the first half of the day learning the basics of first aid, radio usage, and squad formations at Fort Knox, KY., July 20, 2023. Knowing how to communicate and assist battle buddies is crucial for the Cadets to learn before beginning a Field Training Exercise. “We’re learning things like T-Triple C, which is Tactical Combat Casualty Care, or how to tactically care for someone who’s been wounded in combat,” said Cadet Eric Truong, University of Central Florida, “We’re also learning about radios, [Advanced System Improvement Program] radios, how to load and […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed Battle March and Shoot training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 19, 2023. The battle, march, and shoot event, or BMS, is an event where Cadets are pressured to see if they possess qualities fit to become adequate marksmen and future US Army leaders. Cadet Neanco Collins from the University of Illinois, Chicago, shares his experience at BMS. “I believe I did pretty good because I have been practicing, and I’ve been able to grasp a good skill set during qualification,” Collins said. “On table six with the position changing, I […]

FORT KNOX, KY. — Cadets from 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp complete their Cadet Summer Training journey by setting out on a 12-mile ruck at Fort Knox, Ky., July 18, 2023. The 12-mile ruck is the last event Cadets must finish before they graduate from Advanced Camp. It allows Cadets a time to reflect on their experiences at CST, the lessons they learned, and the connections they have made along the way. “The 12-mile ruck is basically a battle march from our last phase of the field, the Grizzly phase,” said Cadet Meghan Shelatz, Liberty University. “We walk as a whole entire […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp Cadet Gabrielle Frankenfield from West Virginia University, 7th Regiment, led her squad deep into the woods during their situational training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 19, 2023. The STX gives Advanced Camp Cadets extra time to work on their tactical skills. Cadets must build cohesion within their platoons during the first phase of Cadet Summer Training, so they can avoid mistakes when they are graded on their performance later on.   Frankenfield described the challenges she faced as squad leader. “This was a rough lane,” Frankenfield said. “I always want to make sure my […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, performed a series of exercises during the Army Combat Fitness Test at Fort Knox, Ky. on July 19, 2023. The ACFT measures Cadets’ physical fitness and endurance through a series of exercises, such as hand-release push-ups, planks and the deadlift. Cadet Cheyenne Dean from Auburn University is familiar with the ACFT as she has conducted the test previously and also comes from a military family. “I joined ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), because I knew early on that I wanted to be an officer,” Dean said. “My dad was a Military […]

FORT KNOX Ky. — Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction at Fort Knox, Ky., July 15, 2023. Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction is an event where Cadets must qualify at several stations in order to become one step closer to becoming a future Army Officer. During this training, Cadets learn the fundamentals of weapon safety and proper aiming techniques from different angles. Cadet Gill Tanvir, Sacramento State University, shares her experience during PMI. “For the most part, I didn’t need to brush up on a lot of things, because the last time I qualified,” Tanvir said. “Working in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Field Leader Reaction Course on Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2023. FLRC is a teamwork-based course in which Cadets complete challenging scenarios with the purpose of growing leadership and team building skills. “We’re given challenges and obstacles to get across,” said Cadet Katrina Thoms, Stephen F. Austin State University. “Some are impossible, some just take a lot of planning, but as a team, we work together to accomplish the task at hand.” In preparation for the various obstacles, Cadets are given a scenario as well as a series of rules they […]

FORT KNOX Ky.– Cadets from the 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, rehearse running a raid during Situational Training Exercises at Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2023. Cadets completed the Wolverine, the first day of STX. This is the first phase where Cadets are evaluated before advancing to the next two phases, Panther and Grizzly. Cadet Pherilen Boyd from Georgia Southern University shares her experience from the STX. “STX was good today, even though it is raining on us a little bit,” Boyd said. “We are all learning a lot that we didn’t know before despite being from different universities. It’s really helping […]

FORT KNOX Ky. — During Cadet Summer Training, the U.S. Army Cadet Command partners with universities to train, educate, develop, and inspire Cadets to commission as officers. These Cadets come from around the world, to the same organizations to reach the same goal – learning how to help others. Similarly, while Cadet Zyra Brigette Dew, Carson-Newman University, and Cadet Jeremy Acheampong, Capital University, may both belong to the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, they entered CST having experienced different journeys, holding differing cultural influences. “I was originally born in the Philippines, but then we moved,” Dew said. “My family and I moved […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, practiced shooting during the Group and Zero training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2023. Group and Zero prepares Cadets for weapons qualification by ensuring their Close Combat Optic (CCO) is on point. Cadet Dabin Kim from Drexel University, was confident going into the training despite not having a lot of experience with shooting. “I, myself don’t have much experience,” Kim said. “I’ve only shot an M4 [carbine rifle] once, but I’m confident that I’ll do fine based off of what I’ve learned from some of the other non-commissioned officers (NCOs) […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their daytime land navigation test on Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Land navigation acts as a tool to teach Cadets to maneuver various terrains while locating the intended checkpoints. “We’re taught a couple days before and after our exercises how to use our tools like the protractor and compass and apply them,” said Cadet Kenneth Smith, University of Dayton. “You’ve got options on how to complete this and you find a preference through the practices we do in the coming days.” This exercise pushes Cadets into scenarios that require them to […]

FORT KNOX Ky. — Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, practiced firing their rifles during the Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Designed to simulate a weapons qualification, EST allows Cadets to learn how to use their rifle before they go into the field. As they start their firing practice, some Cadets use their past experiences, Cadre, or family, for inspiration or advice. “EST is a training facility for us to utilize and practice our shooting skills,” said Cadet Amy Beaven, Northern Arizona University. “It’s a great way for people to either learn how to use their […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence course training where they rappelled off a 64-foot tower at Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Cadets learned how to properly rappel, the safety of rappelling, and how to tie a rappel seat, called a Swiss Seat, before rappelling off the rappel tower. The purpose of the rappel training is to build confidence in yourself, have trust in your people, and your equipment. Cadets tied their rappel seats, checked their safety knots, and headed to the slant wall, which is a short version of the rappel tower where […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete the 8-mile ruck march during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023. The 8-mile ruck march is the Cadets’ transition into the second half of their time spent in the field before graduation. “The march is at the end of the first phase of our Field Training Exercise (FTX),” said Cadet Madison Cappellano, Virginia Military Institute. “It’s basically a culminating event that transitions to the last six days of the field for the platoon.” At this point, Cadets have been in the field for five days, completing […]