Fort Knox, Ky.- Remember those times as a kid , playing on the jungle gym, and racing your friends on the monkey bars and just being so free? Well just come on down to Basic Camp if you want to have that same experience all over again. Today 3rd Regiment Basic Camp got to relive some of their childhood when they went through the Obstacle Course at Beaudoin Range. Cadets are put into different teams before starting the course. Then they go through 8 obstacles that include monkey bars, climbing a rope, and running through slanted bars. It was like being […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadre promised Cadets an unusual day of training early morning July 5. Cadets would be spending the day dressing up and applying an unusually intoxicating fragrance – CS gas. These Cadets started their day learning about the gear and attitude required to conquer the CS gas chamber. The Cadets are taught about JSLIST (Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology), vehicles and testing equipment. The Gear Cadets put the gear on top of their uniforms, but the overgarment can be worn as a primary uniform also. The lightweight suit has two primary pieces – the pants and a front open zip/button […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Families collected at Fort Knox Parade Field to mark the end of 1st Regiment, Basic Camp’s 31-day training. Cadre, Cadets, and loved ones felt the weight of today’s duty, honor, and pride in country echoed in every sonic blast of the cannonade across Brooks Field. Even the wind seemed to know its place this morning, as it brought flags to a light flutter. The General’s Surprise Speech… Maj. Gen. John Evans took hold of the microphone for an impromptu speech, reaching out into the audience to give a stronger perspective of today’s meaning. “So, this is the unscripted part […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets of 4th Regiment, Basic Camp were tasked with the challenge of maneuvering through the daunting Beaudoin Obstacle Course. With over a dozen obstacles, all testing the Cadets in unique and physical ways, it is often easy to surrender in the face of adversity. However, the Cadets of 4th Regiment refused to buckle under the pressure. When Cadets first arrive at Fort Knox for the summer, their lives begin to change the moment they get off the bus. The long month ahead of them is filled with challenges and the inevitable question, “What am I doing here?” Nevertheless, as the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Military families learn to treasure small moments in between leaves. In many ways, those times become that much sweeter. 1st Regiment, Basic Camp graduates tomorrow, bringing their 31-day stay at Fort Knox to a close. Today, families, significant others, and Cadets reunited, trading embraces, kisses, and congratulations. “We love getting her back, but we are so proud of what she did,” Steve Friedrich said. “Giving her a hug, that was the main thing I wanted to do today.” His daughter, Cadet Madison Friedrich, thanked God and Jesus for being back with her family. Basic Camp is the first step […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – The Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp arrived at Morgan Reiley Range with an array of emotions as they geared up to execute zeroing and weapons qualification – a vital part of Cadet Summer Training 2018. Two things stick out when talking with the Cadets. One, they are all just as chipper and energetic as they were upon arrival to Basic Camp (some even more so now with the confidence gained through the first half of camp). Two, there is an exuberance of competitive fire and spirit amongst the Cadets, especially when it comes to Platoon recognition. With the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Seeds sprout even in harsh environments. However, a greenhouse creates a climate where seedlings thrive. These seedlings are fortified, strong, and ready to rise above the rest. Some degree of leadership lives in us all, but Basic Camp is a greenhouse where leaders are grown. On June 30, 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp ran introduction scenarios in Squad Formation Order of Movement. Advanced Camp Cadet Trainer Blair Berry from Pacific Lutheran University explained the exercise. “This is a hasty linear ambush on a moving target,” he said. A target is going to come down the road, and they are getting […]

FORT KNOX Ky.- With minimal light, a map, and compass in hand, Cadets search far and wide in the thick brush of the woods for plotted points. There is no sunlight to guide Cadets and Cadre step aside to see how well they can complete their mission. Terrain Talk with Lt. Col. Sean D. Coulter “What we have today is about 320 Cadets from the Alpha and Bravo Company, 3rd Regiment Basic Camp who are getting ready to go out and do their nighttime iteration of land navigation. They finished their daytime iteration earlier today. The vast majority of them were […]

FORT KNOX Ky.- In the depths of the woods, Cadets emerge victoriously! With minimal tools and resources, the 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets use their acquired skills of land navigation to find hidden plotted points. Terrain Talk with Captain Peter Ahching “I am an operations officer for the Cadets, so my job is to assess the quality of training that the Cadets receive from Cadre. I also assess the safety of the training, and finally monitor how well the Cadets utilize the training given to them.” “Today we are doing land navigation with the Alpha Company, 3rd Regiment. Terrain Association is […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets waiting to group and zero during their training are taught to minimize stress because shaky movements and jitters that impact the motion of a bullet in delicate ways. The tension from holding your breath for too long is enough to miss a target. 3rdRegiment Cadet Adrianne Del Castillo was a part of a large group of Basic Camp Cadets, a group of Cadets previously unfamiliar with the intricacies of firing a rifle. Del Castillo a student from Tarleton State University had only ever used a handgun and only handled her rifle at camp, never firing it. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, accompanied by deer and plenty of flying bugs, went on a 10K ruck march back to their barracks yesterday evening following several days in the field. Cadet Cory Beam, a student at John Carroll University, serves on his school’s competitive ruck team and has done Ranger Challenge and the Mountain Man Memorial March. Beam explained walking with weight on one’s back is an important skill in the Army profession and also serves as a gut check. “You go on a long ruck – you just get tired, your body wears down,” […]

Fort Knox, Ky.-  Jumping, climbing, sliding, and a little bit of screaming all come together to give you a host of action packed activities. Today 4thRegiment, Basic Camp took on both the High Ropes and Climbing course with ease. The Climbing course is made up of a few obstacles that involve a lot of strength, confidence, and trust. The obstacles are all at least 40ft in the air, which is where that confidence comes in the most. One of the first steps when starting the course is walking on six wooden logs and then jumping about 5 feet in the air […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets with 1st Regiment, Basic Camp conducted squad level situational training exercise lanes on June 27th, at Area of Operation Badger. They are conducting these STX lanes during their field training exercise. For the FTX, the Cadets spend five days in the woods while conducting practical classes, moving tactically, and living in patrol bases. They set up a patrol base by securing an area so that they can maintain their weapons, eat, and prepare for their missions. They maintain a level of security at all times and attempt to mitigate their signature while living in the field. In […]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today, 1st Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets completed Fire Team Movement exercises. What exactly is Fire Team Movement? Why must Cadets learn how to properly execute the required exercises and when will it be useful throughout their career? These questions were answered by several Cadre and Cadets who partook in the event. What is Fire Team Movement? Cadet Rebecca Balzan of Mary Baldwin University, was more than eager to share what the exercises entailed. “Today, we are going through different lanes and it’s the first day of our FTX or Field Training Exercise. We have done about eight different […]

Fort Knox, Ky.-Do you like spicy food? Do you find yourself wanting to take your sinuses to the next level?  If so then you will love the CBRN chamber. At the CBRN chamber you will run into a lot of snout and tears and see everything free of charge. Today the 2ndRegiment for Basic Camp got to have an experience like no other when entering the chamber for the first time. CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear. CBRN is a training that involves a series of tasks one of which being the confidence chamber. The confidence chamber is where tear […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Every exercise at CST provides Cadets an opportunity to explore the roles of leader and follower. Every one of these Cadets in 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp will take on a leadership role, then give it up to another Cadet. While negotiating obstacles at the Team Development Course, our future officers are learning how to navigate ever changing team dynamics. Throughout an officer career, they will be asked to give and follow orders. The physical challenges and constraints are stressors which test the leader’s decisiveness and followers’ humility. At “Sgt. Yestremski’s Crossing,” Cadets had 12 posts, four lengths […]

Many events in life are stressful even when you have all of the details. I’m sure we all know at least one person that needs all of the details before they can decide whether they are going to do something. Now imagine going into an event with no information to go off of. For some situations, this can turn out alright—but in combat, details are necessary. What is the enemy wearing? Where are they located? What is the situation that you are dealing with? These are just some of the questions that might get sent or received by a radio operator. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Three hundred 4th Regiment Cadets gathered to listen to their welcome brief by Brig. Gen John Evans, the new Commanding General for Cadet Command and Fort Knox, June 21. The Basic Camp Cadets started their evening filing into Olive Theater, a large beige auditorium. Once Evans arrived the Cadets stood at attention and then shouted their regiment motto ‘All or nothing’ before returning to a rested position in their seats. Both Alpha and Bravo companies have separate mottos, but this regimental motto was chosen minutes before Evan’s arrival. “This is a test for you,” he started. “This is an opportunity […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.— With only one week left of Basic Camp for the Cadets of 1st Regiment, the obstacle course provided further team-building and self-confidence. Cadet Gabrielle Johnson from Miami, Fla., studying at the University of Central Florida, said, “Some courses were hard for certain people, but with the motivation from others, our peers, it helped us push through.” Johnson recalled the ruck march that the Cadets did earlier in the morning and how she found the strength to push through after falling behind because of the support from the other Cadets. In the same way, she tries to lift the other […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Basic Camp Cadets, Second Regiment, gathered at the Dunagan Team Development Course to participate in leadership and team building exercises, June 20. The course consists of 6 yellow and black obstacles designed to challenge the groups critical thinking skills while allowing Cadets to experience the importance of following through with a designated role, leader or follower. These obstacles are meant to simulate realistic events and assignments the future lieutenants and soldiers could experience in the field. Simulations include traversing destroyed bridges, scaling walls surrounded by dangerous grounds and climbing across a gorge with a casualty. Alexandrea Guatreaux, […]

FORT KNOX, KY – The Cadets from 1st Regiment Basic Camp learned basic rifle marksmanship and completed ALT-C rifle qualifications with their M16A4 rifles on June 20th, at the Morgan Riley Range. The ALT-C qualification is the Army’s 25-meter Alternate Course for rifle qualification. The Cadets are required to shoot at targets containing 10 silhouettes, scaled to represent distances ranging from 50 to 300 meters. They are timed on 3 strings of fire; one for each firing position kneeling, prone supported, and prone unsupported positions. “A lot of the Cadets felt pressured by the time limit, but I would advise them […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second Regiment Basic Camp Cadets climbed to the challenge during their High Ropes Course in Fort Knox June 19, empowering Cadets with the courage and confidence it takes to perform in the field. High Ropes consists of a collection of three height related tasks challenging Cadets to trust in their equipment and teammates. Whether Cadets are relying on emotional support from their safety, or trusting their belay to ensure they do not fall from the top of the 50-foot climbing tower, the High Ropes Course is testing courage and confidence on all fronts. During these challenges teammates, or battle buddies, […]

Fort Knox, Kentucky – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp performed Individual Task Training (ITT) and learned how to assemble and utilize Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS). Erik Benson, an Aerospace engineering major from North Carolina State University said, “We learned how to assemble them, the battery, antenna, handset, and radio unit.” These Cadets are learning to use Combat Net Radios currently used by US and allied forces. They are designed to be reliable, secure, and easily maintained. The units weigh about eight pounds and are able to transmit data and voice communications. “The drill sergeants taught us how […]

Fort Knox, KY.-  Remember in middle school when your school made you participate in physical fitness tests and run a mile? Well that’s basically what PT is but 10x harder because you have to do push-ups the correct way and there’s this funny part where you can’t actually give up. Today the Third Regiment for basic camp participated in a 1-1-1 physical training, which is a one-mile run, one minute of pushups, and one minute of sit ups. Even though the training can be a lot of hard work, the Cadets highlight the positive aspects more than the negative. Most Cadets emphasize […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.— When people would usually be winding down for the night, the Cadets from 1stRegiment, Basic Camp were busy preparing for Night Land Navigation. Land navigation tests the Cadets’ skills of using their map, compass and protractor. By keeping a pace count the Cadets will be able to find checkpoints. Excitement ran through some Cadets as the beginning of the mission was drawing closer. Cadet Matthew Manns from Phoenix City, Ala. is attending Newberry College. He said, “This is my first time being on a new course, so I’m pretty excited to jump into it.” Master Sgt. Duffy, Senior […]