[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUV-GzOa37c[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 5th Regiment of Basic Camp were introduced to battle drills in preparation for their upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX). Cadets started in a classroom setting, Cadre drawing battle drills on paper like plays on a whiteboard in a basketball game. They then moved out into the field, putting their newfound skills to the test; drill after drill after drill, the Cadets practiced flanking maneuvers and battle tactics. Cadre Strive to Help The Cadets are taught by a wide variety of people, enlisted and commissioned alike. “The lieutenants are super helpful,” Cadet Emily […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIDO7AiL–g[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – Tanks, a helicopter, a boat, light tactical vehicles and more, all filled Keyes Park for Branch Orientation. Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp prepared for commissioning next May by spending the day learning about the different Army branches and the opportunities they each provide. Along with insight from branch officers, Cadets were also given the opportunity to see and get hands-on with equipment. Throughout the Cadets found themselves surprised by all the branches and some of the opportunities they may have not been aware were open to them. “There are people like me who went […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwSxGOyQsw[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their first ambush this morning, July 31, in the AO Wolverine FTX. AO Wolverine presents Cadets with the “crawl” portion of their time in the field; Panther will be their “walk” stage, Grizzly, their “run.” Each stage gives Cadets different benefits, honing skills they previously had and gaining new skills in the process. The crawl portion grants Cadets the most help from their Cadre. Crawling is a Necessity “Today, we’re doing the crawl phase of the crawl, walk, run method of teaching,” Cadet Anthony Burgess, a Richmond, […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-V1GG4RuU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “Coming in I thought that everything was very black and white, but the real world is not that way. Things change, plans change and it really allows you to adapt and be a versatile leader,” said Cadet Nina Carter, from the University of North Georgia, who served as the platoon leader during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) lane. On July 30, 2019, 9th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets had to deal with plans changing during a raid mission. Things changed due to a possible weather threat, and Cadets were unable to complete a leader’s recon the night […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CCo5MyOXPc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. –  Advanced Camp Cadets of 11th Regiment reviewed their platoon standard operating procedures (SOPs) in preparation for their upcoming field training exercise (FTX), July 30.  According to Army Training Publication 3-90.90, an SOP provides the instructions for performing an operating procedure, which is an approved process to complete a complex task. “An SOP details how, when, and why we move during a mission,” said Cadet Braxton McDuffie attending The Citadel. “Reviewing SOPs ensures that everyone is on the same page. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s ‘aha’ moment.” Every Army unit has its own SOP that […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtJ5chAPwDY[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – With 35 pounds on their back, camouflage on their faces and the dark morning sky above them, 10th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets foot marched eight miles to TAA Densberger to prepare for their next field training exercise (FTX) lane.  On this particular movement, Cadets silently marched in two columns in what is known as a tactical formation to prepare them for combat situations after they commission.  “During a tactical formation, we avoid enemy detection by remaining silent,” said Cadet Brandon Piccinini, attending Auburn University. “We also don’t wear lights so that we can maintain stealth […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed squad battle drill training today, to prepare for their Field Training Exercise (FTX) that begins tomorrow. Squad battle drills are the first time Cadets conduct platoon-level tactics together as one unit. It gives them the chance to iron out issues, develop their platoon identity and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs). Missouri State University Cadet Sierra Goslee, and her platoon, struggled during the training. “It was rough because it was our first time working all together as a platoon to actually do a platoon attack,” Goslee said. They have only been […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89gs6l6cV64[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — On July 29, another regiment entered their final stage of the lengthy Field Training Exercises (FTX). 9th Regiment completed their first lane of AO Grizzly, which is the most challenging phase of the FTX due to the lack of Cadre assistance. However, this doesn’t mean the Cadre were just standing around. They were filling out Blue Cards, which is the Army’s way of evaluating Cadets. “Today we are watching key leadership, which is Platoon Leader (PL) and Platoon Sergeant (PSG),” 2nd Lt. Zane Knight, a Cadre member out of Campbell University, said. “Mainly, we are […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_j_mJJwRlE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX – 11th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets’ confidence and teamwork were put to the test as they climbed, crawled and weaved their way through the confidence course, July 27. Today marked the last iteration of training on the course for Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2019. “After the Cadets complete their training here today, we [Cadre] put everything away until next summer,” said Sgt. Frank Marscelli from San Diego State University. Staff Sgt. Mark Minnmann, a reservist stationed at Fort Knox, said that being a CST instructor had been a fun experience. “I am used to working with call […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Many Cadets join the military to carry on the family legacy. One such cadet is Ian House. House’s family history with the military goes back to the Revolutionary War and currently extends to his father and brother who are serving in the Navy. “My dad served for 21 years, my brother is serving right now and I’m here serving,” the Snohomish, Washington native said. For a majority House’s life, his father was a Naval Aviator, but for all of his life he has been a part of the military family. This wasn’t the only reason for his […]

Cadets from colleges across the United States have the opportunity to travel to foreign countries and immerse themselves into the culture while becoming familiar with different military training. The Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP), formally known as the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CULP), has been described as a “paid vacation” by some, but these Cadets quickly dispel this notion. Thirty-one Cadets spent twenty-one days in Malawi, while another twenty-one Cadets spent twenty-four days in Romania. Each Cadet left the U.S. with impressions of the foreign land and excitement for cultural day trips; however, they returned with a completely different outlook. […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – The only noises that could be heard this morning from the woods of AO Panther, were the chirping and humming of birds and bugs. And machine guns, as the raid began. Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp spent the morning conducting a raid during the Panther portion of their Field Training Exercise (FTX). During the FTX Cadets have the opportunity to rotate through various leadership roles while being assessed by Cadre. Some of those roles included Platoon Leader (PL), Platoon Sergeant (PSG), Squad Leader, and Team Leader. Platoon Leader Cadet Aedon Hann, from the University of New […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thu-lnDCoWg[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — With graduation growing ever closer, Cadets spent today, July 26, 2019, learning about where they will be going once they receive their commission. Branch Orientation allows Cadets an opportunity to ask questions and learn all they can about their preferred branches. However, if they want to branch out and learn about others groups in the Army, they are more than welcome to explore to find new interests. Cadet Miurel Hamburger, of Miami, Florida, came to today’s training with a whole host of questions about her preferred branch and was able to find out all […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5KUD3y6KpE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX Ky. — Cadets of the 11th Regiment Advanced Camp completed hand grenade training July 25th. An instructional trend in the Army is ‘crawl, walk, run’: a model that allows trainees (or in this case Cadets) to follow along as an instructor does a task, then to do the task themselves with guidance from the instructor, and finally to do the task with minimal supervision. “If you just walk up to someone and give them a hand grenade, they’re not going to know how to use it,” Cadet Michael Johnson of Virginia Tech said. “They’re going to look […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxTzYEbCwE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – After a long and tasking 37 days, Cadets of the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, graduated this morning, July 24. Advanced Camp puts MS3 (Military Science level 3) Cadets through over a month of trials and challenges that they are graded on. From the tactical to the instinctive, all skills are honed and then tested. Cadets are trained in Basic Rifle Marksmanship, physical fitness, land navigation, first aid and other events to build resiliency. Three Things  Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command and the guest speaker for this morning’s […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIe2y_IRcbQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Throughout Cadet Summer Training, Shower and Laundry Specialists from Puerto Rico standby to provide warm showers and clean laundry for Cadets who are training in the field. For many of the specialists, this summer is their first time at Fort Knox. The nature of Cadet Summer Training (CST) operations provides a unique experience for them as their mission is uninterrupted by tactical operations. “We have had assignments in places where we needed to have security,” said 1st Lt. Bianca Viruet, referring to combat deployments the 430th Quartermaster Co. participated in over the years. “Tactical situations […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The sun shining down, a light breeze blowing through, sounds of laughter and rejoicing filled the air. Tears streamed as Cadets of the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, were reunited with their families at long last. From Near and Far Family Day is a moment of love and appreciation for what you have; as cliché as that may sound, there is simply no other way to put it. To see the face of your loved ones right in front of you rather than on a screen, is a time where love can do nothing but thrive. From near […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky. — 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets achieved one of the final must pass events July 23 during Cadet Summer Training – the 12-Mile Road March. “For CST, we have to complete several must pass events. Today was our final must pass event of CST and that was the 12-Mile Ruck March,” explained Cadet Jake Beretta, Slippery Rock University. “As a company, we marched all the way to the finish line from where we were placed out in Grizzly.” The road march was considered tactical for this event, which, according to Cadet Courtney Craig, University of Central Florida, […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp learned first aid at Heard Park, July 23. The Army teaches Advanced Camp Cadets the basics of Tactical Combat Casualty Care while at camp. After they commission as second lieutenants they will receive more in-depth medical training. Cadet Nicholas Newel, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, was a prior enlisted soldier participating in training. “We are going over how to stop the bleeding,” Newel said, “and how to save someone’s life. That is the overall goal.” After going through the large group lecture Cadets were split into groups of five. Newel […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spend a very humid morning, July 22, out at George Blair Range to qualify on the M-4 rifles as part of their Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. To qualify on the M-4 rifle, Cadets must go through multiple days of training. They start out at group and zero where they learn to group their shots together both with and without a laser. They then move on to qualifying the weapon. Cadets shoot 40 rounds at different distanced pop-up targets. To make Marksman, they must hit the target at least 23 times […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — First Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets graduated today, completing the final event of their 31 days of training. Cadets sent to Basic Camp learned about different Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers. “Basic Camps purpose is to give people who are interested in the Army a start,” Cadet Celeste Doiron, from Monument, Colorado, and attending California Polytechnic State University, said. “It kind of gives them a taste of the Army and [helps them decide] if it is something they want to do in the future.” “Get Up There and Lead”  Some Cadets came […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcko90yshPQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Rappelling may not have been in the repertoire of all 10th Regiment Cadets prior to Advanced Camp, but each one of them bounded down the 60-foot rappel tower, July 22. 1st Lt. Jason Keniston, the 10th Regiment chaplain, explained how the rappel training at Advanced Camp readies Cadets for their career as commissioned officers. “The rappel training prepares Cadets for combat situations but primarily demonstrates how overcoming fear is feasible,” said Keniston. “Everyone goes up the tower with some sort of fear. All Cadets have to do is trust their leadership, trainers, equipment and the […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8AopQVoQHU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Freshman and Sophomore Army ROTC Cadets stand in as the Opposing Force, or OPFOR, that play the enemy for Advanced Camp Cadets when they go through their different Field Training Exercises (FTXs). These first and second year military science students, also known as MS1s and MS2s, come from different ROTC programs from colleges across the country to help train this year’s Advanced Camp Cadets. While they’re assisting training, these MS1s and 2s also get a chance to catch a glimpse of what’s in store for them in the coming years at Advanced Camp. Cadet Kelsey […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 8th Regiment Advanced Camp completed their final day in the Panther FTX site today, July 22, before moving onto Grizzly. Their morning began with a Movement to Contact drill, a mission in which Cadets maneuver through the FTX area in search of their enemy. Once the enemy is spotted, the fire begins. Mental Agility There’s a lot that goes into making an FTX mission successful; from keeping your squad’s spacing in tact to ensuring communication between the platoon is clear, there’s a lot that can be learned from these drills. Perhaps the most important […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcJjy4dY05A[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets conducted training on the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC), July 21, during Cadet Summer Training. The Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC) is a cornerstone of Advance Camp training. This course is utilized to assess the leadership potential and competency of the Cadets being tested. 2nd Lt. Dalton Clark comments on FLRC’s uses, “FLRC gives Cadets a chance to expand their leadership skills.” He goes on to say, “you are supposed to fail most of this, FLRC challenges Cadets in order to increase the pressure on Cadets.” This pressure allows supervising […]