2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets completed the field leader reaction course portion of Cadet Summer Training Fort Knox, Ky., June 10, 2023.  This training teaches Cadets to work together as a team and is one of the first events they complete after their in-processing days.  Many Cadets experience the Army for the first time through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and especially CST.  However, for some Cadets such as Cadet Ian Valente from Central Michigan University and Cadet Nick Nolan from Texas A&M University, the Green to Gold program allows them to commission as officers after serving as enlisted service members.  […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 2nd Regiment Cadets at Advanced Camp arrived to the preliminary marksmanship instruction range in Fort Knox, Ky., early June 10, 2023 for a refresher course in marksmanship. During PMI, nobody is above the basics of marksmanship. Even the most experienced Cadets must go back to basics and work on their technique. Before the 2nd Regiment Cadets get released to their stations, the Cadre give a briefing over the four pillars of weapon safety. The instructor explained to the Cadets that the key to a smooth shot is keeping a position that is stable. The instructor also […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – In the Cadet Summer Training (CST) program, the Cadets complete an exercise called Battle March and Shoot (BMS) on June 9, 2023. They gathered at Logistical Support Area (LSA) Baker on base at Fort Knox and then began their Four-mile foot march to Schroeder Range carrying 35-pound ruck sacks. By the time they arrive at Schroeder Range, their heart rate is up, and they immediately begin to receive directions to get into a position to shoot. This fast-paced process shows how the Cadets do under pressure. The Cadets are issued one target and two magazines with 20 […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Although people join the Army for different reasons, Cadet Naomi Richardson from Montana State University was partially drawn by the selfless actions of those in service, and the opportunity to join the nursing corps.  “I joined the Army because I wanted to join a group of people working for something greater than ourselves, serving your country, but also joining a community of people that are selfless in a lot of ways,” Richardson said. “I am in nursing school and really excited for the opportunity to get to experience the medical field in the Army.” Cadet Michael Kaminski from […]

Fort Knox, Ky. — ‘Don’t hit the civilian,’ is the Cadres interesting way of saying ‘aim correctly’ out on the Group and Zero training range in Fort Knox, Ky., June 9, 2023. During Group and Zero training, the 1st Regiment Cadets put their knowledge of the fundamentals of shooting to the test. Although the Cadets are not being graded, the Cadre do not forget about mistakes. “From personal experience, it can be overwhelming with all the cues happening at once and also trying to remember all your fundamentals of shooting. I think in an effort to make sure they’re doing everything […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Cadets conduct training for Group and Zero, shooting five rounds at a 25-meter target with their M4 rifles at Canby Hill Range in Fort Knox, Ky., June 7, 2023. The goal is to get a tight shot group in the center mass of the targets.  Staff Sgt. Cody Grunwald, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment explains the importance of the group and zero training. “We need to get them grouped and zero here so when they go to the range they can actually get targets that they shoot at,” Grunwald said. U.S. Army Cadets Nayla Borrego […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the engagement skills trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., June 8, 2023. The EST is a virtual shooting simulator that allows Cadets to practice how to properly handle an M4 rifle while going through the motions of reloading their magazine and conducting the three firing positions that they must conduct in prone supported and prone unsupported.  The three firing positions consist of prone, kneeling, and standing. Cadets have to know how to effectively perform these positions before qualifying for the range where they use live ammunition later this week and have […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 1st Regiment Cadets in Cadet Summer Training, Advanced Camp, are given lessons on the fundamentals of their rifles during the preliminary marksmanship instruction at Fort Knox, Ky., June 7, 2023. The purpose of the PMI is to provide the Cadets with a better understanding of the basics of rifle marksmanship. For the Cadets to safely learn the baseline knowledge of their weapons, they receive blank ammunition instead of live rounds during the rifle training. The different lessons at PMI include understanding the basic operations of the rifle, how to change magazines, proper body positions while firing, and […]

Story by Madelyn Guinn and Jaden Whiteman FORT KNOX, Ky. – The field leader reaction course is an obstacle course designed to challenge and strengthen the Cadets’ teamwork and critical thinking skills during Cadet Summer Training. With 12 different courses for them to complete, the Cadets split into equal teams, appoint a squad leader in each team to guide them through their obstacles and complete the task at hand within a certain amount of time. U.S. Army Cadet Leila Enoch from the University of Rhode Island is in her third year of being a Cadet, so she has worked through courses […]

Cadets go through preliminary marksmanship instruction to gain a better understanding of how to operate an M4 rifle at Fort Knox, Ky., June 5, 2023. Cadets must qualify in marksmanship later this week to continue onto the next stage of Advanced Camp.

Three Cadets, Vittorio Divalentin (left) from Virginia Tech, Annika Smylie (center) from Idaho State University, and Kyla McKim (right) from Drexel University, assigned to 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp of Cadet Summer Training discuss different aspects of Field Training Exercise (FTX) and offer some advice to future Cadets during their FTX at Fort Knox, Ky.

From fleet to field, Sergio Almeida, 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, made the shift from enlisted Navy Sailor to Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet.  “I chose to enlist the first time around for a sense of that typical, wanting to find yourself, wanting independence, wanting to be my own person,” said Almeida.  After being the first member of his family to join the military, Almeida trained for a year in San Diego before being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Truxton in 2012.  “I got to really learn what the military was,” he said.  During his six years in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. -While Cadets are at Cadet Summer Training (CST), they are completely focused on their training. They have limited contact with their friends and family, they don’t have the regular comforts of home and they must complete grueling tasks throughout the 37-day training period. One of those grueling tasks is the 12-mile foot march, which 11th Regiment Advanced Cadets completed early this morning. The movement, from Tactical Assembly Area Densberger back to the Disney Training Complex on Fort Knox, ended the regiment’s 12-day field problem and put them one-step closer to graduation day. These Cadets will soon return to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducted an attack to destroy mission during their field training exercise (FTX), August 8. “An attack to destroy mission involves taking an objective by surprise and destroying where the enemy was placed so they can’t return and use it as a stronghold,” explained Cadet Layton Shorus, attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As they approached the opposing force’s base, 11th Regiment Cadets opened fire and quickly made their way toward the objective using individual movement techniques. During their assault, Cadets sought cover while communicating with each other over the sound […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated and parted ways this morning, August 8. Advanced Camp is a long, tasking 37 days long; challenges present themselves at every corner and Cadets are expected to address and overcome them. Their graduation ceremony is a very welcome event, reuniting them with their family and friends and sending them on their way home. Knowledge that Sticks Out of all they learn at Advanced Camp, many Cadets have something in particular that sticks with them. “The most important thing I’ve learned is just to listen to others and not be […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnNblW2q5qk[/embedyt]   Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived at Assembly Area (AA) Densberger for a refit day to prepare for their transition from Area of Operations (AO) Panther to AO Grizzly.  Grizzly is the final portion of their Field Training Exercise (FTX). During a refit day, Cadets take a shower, switch out laundry, and get some much-needed rest. During the Panther phase of the FTX, cadets went four days and three nights without a shower. Cadet Vest Timothy, a student at Jacksonville State University, explained that it felt really good to get cleaned up for a bit before going […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAmJ_fCjJOg[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – It was a perfect morning for 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets to march 12-miles back to base to prepare for graduation in a few days. Cadets woke up around 1 a.m., they grabbed their 35 pounds, or more, rucksacks and got into formation. Noise was at a minimum. “The silence was a challenge, not being able to talk and motivate each other through the ruck was rough,” said Cadet Cameron McNeil, from Virginia Military Institute. McNeil wasn’t the only one who found it hard to stay silent. Cadet Alex Garner, from Sacramento State University, and his […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp got to shower and rest before embarking on their 12-mile foot march from TAA Densberger to their barracks, August 6. Before arriving at TAA Densberger, Cadets conducted their field training exercise (FTX) in the dense woods for over a week. There was a refit opportunity between each of the FTX lanes for Cadets every few days which allowed them to organize their rucksacks and relax before continuing their training. “Today is our first time taking a shower in four days,” said Cadet Zachary Suchy. With graduation in sight, the Florida Southern […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — On Aug. 5, Cadets of the 10th Regiment had an early morning fighting the enemy during a defense mission at AO Grizzly. This is their last full day of the Field Training Exercises (FTX), with graduation just around the corner. Defense missions are pretty straightforward: the platoon is set up at a patrol base with borders and protection surrounding it. The Opposing Force (OPFOR) wants to take that base over, and plans to attack it. The Cadets have no knowledge of when the OPFOR are coming, but have to stay quick on their feet and maintain control […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — On August 3, nearly 600 Cadets stood in formation as Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford delivered some parting words to end their Advanced Camp journey. After 37 days of facing fears such as heights or hand grenades, pushing through mental challenges such as land navigation and map reading, and going survival-mode in the Field Training Exercises, the 8th Regiment has finally reached the end of their training at Fort Knox. One of the main reasons Cadets work to pass Advanced Camp is the gateway it provides to becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. This is why the Cadre constantly challenged […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 11th Regiment of Advanced Camp completed their 8-mile ruck march this morning, August 3. Between release-ruck marches and formation-ruck marches, each Cadet has their preferences; most prefer the release as they can go at their own speed, do their own thing. A formation-ruck march keeps Cadets orderly, a tactical move that ensures they hone their field skills while they march. Cadets are told to keep silent, save the sound of their boots hitting the ground. While the ruck march may seem to drudge on slowly, Cadets find ways to keep themselves entertained. A Rucking […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFTJWzjm-M[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducted a reconnaissance mission during day one of their Field Training Exercise (FTX) in Area of Operations Grizzly. The Grizzly segment is the last of three phases that make up the FTX during Cadet Summer Training. However, as sometimes happens, the mission did not entirely go as planned. During the initial recon, the Cadets from 1st Platoon, Charlie Co., encountered a large Opposing Force (OPFOR) compound.  A compound larger than their intelligence had indicated. In addition, the Cadets faced technical issues with their radios, making communication a challenge and the movements […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJJCu3PLbSE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the Delta Co., 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their third and final day in the AO Wolverine FTX this morning, August 2. Wolverine is the “crawl” phase of three field-training exercises (FTXs) the Cadets are put through, Panther and Grizzly being the other two. Panther being the “walk” and Grizzly being the “run” phases, the two are more difficult, forcing the Cadets to rely more on their own independent leadership. The next two phases also start evaluations for the Cadets, so Wolverine gives them time to prepare. A Little Room to Grow From […]

FORT KNOX, KY.— “Twelve miles is a distance that most people do not normally do every day so being able to accomplish something like that is pretty rewarding,” said Cadet Hayden Martinez, from Oregon State University. Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, had this satisfaction when they completed their 12-mile road march here early in the morning on Aug. 2. Cadets stepped off the start line from Tactical Assembly Area Densberger.  They spent yesterday at TAA Densberger following their final phase of the Field Training Exercises. Martinez said that the rucks [the pack they carried with their clothing and equipment] this […]