By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- The 556 Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp finished Cadet Summer Training with Graduation on Brooks Field. Nine Cadets of the regiment received the RECONDO (Reconnaissance Commando) certificate from Maj. Gen. Hughes, Commanding General of Cadet Summer Training and Fort Knox. Regimental Awards were given to twelve Cadets for outstanding performances at CST. Cadet Emily Gallagher, Dequesne University, received the Armed Forces Services Corporation Award for achieving the highest female score on the Army Physical Fitness Test. Her parents, Laura and Ed were there at graduation waiting to congratulate her. “We’re extremely proud of her. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Hidden in the forests behind the rappel tower looms its counterpart, the confidence course. Made up of several different obstacles like The Tough One, The Weaver and The Confidence Climb, the course rightly performs its purpose: instilling true confidence in the Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp August 8. That statement is more than true for Cadet Milynel Ortiz, a student from the University of Central Florida. While working through The Weaver, a towering, pyramid-like obstacle that doubles as a ladder, Ortiz carried herself with accuracy and speed to the top.  She said having some innate confidence […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, were further conditioned in their future leader training in the Call for Fire Trainer on June 18. “Call for Fire Trainer is used to test and teach Army ROTC Cadets the skill of how to call in indirect fire. It’s a skill that’s required that can help save their lives and the lives of their Soldiers one day.” said Lt. Col. Larry Rentz, Officer in Charge. The overall objective was that Cadets would walk away with an understanding of the call and purpose for fire as well as the process, radio transitions and […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—4th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets were on the Fort Knox instillation for three days before their leadership skills were put to the test on Monday during the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC). “These are situations that we have to think critically and have very limited supplies,” said Cadet Courtney Eisma, Rutgers University, South Brunswick, New Jersey. “You have to use whatever you have to your advantage and it is super important to communicate what you want very clearly to your team and get feed back.” Eisma and her team were at a station in the course that did not […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp took on their weapons qualification July 3 at George Blair range. “What’s required of Cadets is discipline and the fundamentals of shooting such as the firing position, the trigger squeeze, the breathing and also target acquisition, which is identifying the target.” said Staff Sgt. Austin W. Bowles, Range Safety Officer, Fort Hood, Texas. Bowles expressed that he felt as though it would be difficult for Cadets who were not familiar with firearms to qualify given that marksmanship can be a tedious task to master. Bowles also shared his advice on how he believed […]

FORT KNOX, KY—This year at Cadet Summer Training (CST) Commanding General Christopher Hughes has reinstated mandatory Cadet evaluations. These evaluations are given on blue cards. What is a blue card? A blue card is a card given to cadre members for evaluation of a Cadet. The card has multiple sections for comments to be written. The first section is background. This section gives background to the circumstances the Cadet was given, their leadership position, and any behaviors that are monitored. Cadre members encouraged to elaborate on the behaviors and the context in which they saw the behaviors. Then there are sections […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Between the underbrush and their face paint, the Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, are almost undistinguishable. With their kevlars strapped to their chins and blacks shirts hiding their traditional uniforms, these Cadets are playing a very different role from what they’re used to. It’s been said that with every action there is a reaction, so it’s no surprise that with every ambush someone has to be playing the bad guy. That’s where the Cadets from Charlie Company come in. “This is an immersive exercise for them,” said Capt. Kenneth Goetz. “Their initial mission is to capture […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp were given the opportunity to attend a branch round table event during an evening at Cadet Summer Training, allowing them to explore possible branches to join after commissioning as Army officers. Cadet Cody Travis, student at Western Michigan University, native of South Lyon, Michigan, explored his chosen branch and others available while at the round table event. “We have the opportunity to visit all the different branches, or at least four of them today, and get information briefs from each one of them and just learn more about them,” said Travis. […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, and 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets welcomed Ambassador John Limbert at Olive Theater, August 3, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Ambassador John Limbert was invited to speak to Cadets about a variety of topics including advice for Cadets when they commission as second lieutenants as well as opening the floor for questions. In his opening statements, Ambassador Limbert thanked Cadets. “Let me thank you today for choosing a career of public service. There are rewards, frustrations and dangers, but it’s something I did … and it was never […]

 By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in their final must pass event Wednesday, the 64-foot rappel tower. Nervous energy surrounds the tower as many Cadets battle a fear of heights, like Cadet Alex Marshall, Gannon University, PA. “I’ve rappelled before at my school so that wasn’t really new. I think it’s cool because I’m afraid of heights but rappelling is easy; you just trust your equipment and your Cadre,” he said. “Everything in place here is to protect Cadets, from the NCOs up at the top of the tower to your equipment and belay. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – For anyone who has watched Netflix’s original series, “Stranger Things,” you know that mornings are for “coffee and contemplation.” For the Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, something similar could be said (minus the coffee). Starting at 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, Cadets participated in their final must-pass event: the 12-mile ruck march. Although there was not a drop of coffee in sight, Cadets had plenty of time to contemplate and reflect on their time at Cadet Summer Training. Four hours, to be exact. In order to pass their final event, Cadets must complete the 12-mile march […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training, August 1, on Brooks Field at Fort Knox. Five-hundred sixty-nine Cadets graduated and received a graduation certificate and a ribbon, signifying the completion of Advanced Camp during CST. Though every Cadet who meets the criteria receives a completion certificate, some Cadets receive special awards commending different achievements. Cadets who received Regimental Awards are as follows: Cadet Jeremy D. Jones, California Lutheran University, earned the AUSA Warrior Ethos Award. This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by the Regimental […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets performed weapons maintenance on their issued M4 rifles, July 31, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Maintenance is an essential part of training as CST starts to come to a close for 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets. “We’ve got them cleaning their weapons out. They’ve been out in the field for about two weeks now. So, their weapons have a lot of carbon, tar and other stuff in them,” said 2nd Lt. Willie Walker. “They’ve been shooting a lot for the past couple days and it’s just a […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – Advanced Camp Cadets receive tactical instruction on planning and implementing an ambush, patrolling, and problem solving during Squad Tactical Exercise, a several day training component for CST. Cadet Dalton Pick, student at the University of California, Berkeley, native of Monterey, California, was one of the team leaders planning and creating the ambush. “Right now we are in what is called the darby phase of Advanced Camp. What we are trying to do right now is make sure that all these Cadets coming from different schools across the country, are on the same page tactically on what needs […]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp rounded up all their equipment, cleaned everything and headed to the Central Issue Facility, July 30. “Today at CIF we are turning in all the equipment we got at the beginning of camp which is the final stage of camp for us,” said Cadet Nicholas Christopher, University of Louisville, Ky. Unique to other Advanced Camp Cadets, Christopher has had his equipment for two months, instead of the normal 30 days. He and a few others in his regiment arrived to Fort Knox, 30 days prior to their training to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 7th Regiment of Advanced Camp eagerly sat through orientations for the branches of the Army that peaked their interest. With less than a year before their commissioning, these Cadets will soon have a big decision to make. Before making a choice on what branch they want to enter, the Cadets have to be properly briefed on what all a branch entails. “We can pick which branches we’re interested in or which ones we want to know a little more about and we go to them and they talk us through what you do in that branch […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – With sounds of gunfire and shouting in the distance, Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Alpha Company, 2nd squad participated in Squad Tactical Exercises (STX) on July 28. In STX, Cadets apply the skills they’ve acquired during their time at CST to execute exercises such as reconnaissance, ambush and recovery. “We’re executing on a platoon size, which means we’re taking smaller elements and focusing on bigger sizes to see how Cadets respond to training,” said 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Prol. “The Army occupies and trains in three phases of training: crawl, walk and run,” said Prol. “Right now […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – 7th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets tackled both the 64-foot rappel tower and the confidence course, strengthening confidence and resilience as they complete their final days of Cadet Summer Training. Cadet Luke Austin, student at Radford University, native of Leesburg, Virginia, conquered the rappel tower before moving on to the confidence course where he worked with the rest of his squad. “It was a lot of fun. I’ve done most of it before, it’s been a while since I’ve done it- the last time was in Basic three years ago… At the end it all comes down to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – If you ever ask someone who’s recently completed a marathon or even a Spartan Race what they’re looking forward to most now that they’re training and hard work has paid off, they might tell you that they’re looking forward to eating an entire pizza or taking time off to recover. For one Cadet in Advanced Camp, she might have told you something a little different. Meet Cadet Lakoda Kissee, a rising senior at the University of Mississippi, a Cadet from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp and a Spartan. Out of the nearly 4,000 participants that participated in Reebok’s […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadet Summer Training (CST) came to an end for the General Carl W. Stiner Regiment, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, with nine Reconnaissance Commando (RECONDO) awards; the most of any regiment to date. The RECONDO award is given to Cadets who scored a 90% or higher in all pass-required events such as land navigation, marksmanship and the field training exercise. Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. James (Boe) Young, Commanding General of 75th Training Command, Houston, TX., addressed Cadets not only as an officer with over 30 years of experience, but as a father to graduating Cadet Elizabeth […]

FORT KNOX, KY—Advanced Camp 10th Regiment completed Land Navigation where they put their traditional navigation skills to the test. “In today’s society, we all want to use a GPS to get us some place. Land Nav is a traditional, no-technology situation where you have to rely on your own skills, and that’s a big challenge,” explained Cadet Michael Murphy, The Citadel. Cadets are given three hours to find four points spread over a two-mile square course. They are given a compass, a map, and a protector to navigate the course. In order to receive a passing grade for Land Nav, they […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp were given the opportunity to attend a branch round table event during an evening at Cadet Summer Training, allowing them to explore possible branches to join after commissioning as Army officers. Cadet Geovanna Olan, student at Texas Christian University, native of Miami, was able to explore her career options while at the round table event. “Tonight we’re getting our branch briefings. It’s an explanation of each branch that you like or are interested in possibly joining when you commission. All they are doing is giving you an overview of each branch […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed Field Training Exercises, July 25, during Cadet Summer training at Fort Knox. FTX is training done out in the field where Cadets spend eight days running drills and employing their culminated knowledge to develop leadership skills. “So, over the last eight days, they’ve been out in the field working on platoon small unit tactics against a pretty aggressive bad guy out there. They got a lot of good training in small unit tactics and it enabled the Cadre to evaluate their leadership potential,” said Lt. Col. Joel Thomas. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – It came as a surprise when someone told her chaplains are the unicorns of the Army. After sitting and thinking it over, however, Chaplain Candidate 1st Lt. Florence Moss says she came to agree with the peculiar statement. “For one, they’re not that many of us. We have a shortage,” Moss said, and as one of the only female chaplain candidates here supporting Cadet Summer Training (CST), the scarcity of Army chaplains emboldens her to meet the spiritual needs of the Army’s workforce. “We are courageous enough to say, ‘I see my fellow Soldier hurting or in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets were in for a treat when the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, Jenean Hampton, paid a special visit to Fort Knox July 21.   She was accompanied by her chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, the executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, and two interns studying political science.    Hampton’s visit began with a trip to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber where Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp were learning how to trust their equipment during the gas mask confidence course. During the stop, Cadets asked questions spanning an array […]