FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 29, 2023. The TCCC is an event that teaches Cadets important life-saving strategies during a battlefield scenario. This training is crucial to becoming a well-rounded leader and Commissioned Officer in the likelihood of a battle-related injury. Cadet Robert Carr shares his thoughts on the process of TCCC. “We learned about how to use radios, about formations, and how to move injured soldiers on a stretcher to the casualty collection point and get to a medevac,” Carr said. “This [...]

 FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Situational Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. STX is an event that focuses on squad communication and tactics in a combat-like setting in order to qualify and become future U.S. Army leaders. Multiple scenarios test Cadets on their ability to work as a team and carry out their responsibilities in a timely manner. Cadet Trey Crow, from Harding University, shares his thoughts about the process of the STX. “It just helps you to learn teamwork with the new group of soldiers that you have just [...]

Name: Laura Lamecker School: University of Alaska Fairbanks Hometown: Chaska, Minnesota Major/Minor: Master of Science in Biochemistry What Makes This Cadet  Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Laura Lamecker is an MSIII at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Laura joined the Nanook Battalion at the start of the Fall 2019 Semester as an ADO Cadet. In less than one semester, Laura immediately stood out from her peers as the most capable leader in her class. She is a competent, mature, and adaptable leader who is quick to learn and eager to selflessly serve others. In a very short period, Cadet Lamecker’s [...]

Name: Elliott Clements School: University of Cincinnati Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Major/Minor: Civil Engineering What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Clements is not only working on becoming a future Army officer, but he is electively furthering his academic career and pursing his master’s degree in Civil Engineering. Cadet Clements has proven that with balance, focus, and determination, anything is possible. While balancing a challenging school work load and ROTC is difficult enough, Cadet Clements continues to go above and beyond. He is also a volunteer member of the National Park’s Search and Rescue team. Often times Cadet Clements [...]

Name: Emily Maier-Costanza School: The University of Alabama Hometown: Walnut Creek, Ca Major/Minor: Criminal Justice What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Maier-Costanza has demonstrated great dedication and determination since she stepped foot on the University of Alabama Campus and joined Army ROTC. Cadet Maier-Costanza is a very active participant in and outside of the ROTC program. She has played on the UA club soccer team, has volunteered to be the OIC for the Dinning Out in Spring of 2020 and is the current PAO for the Cadet Battalion. Furthermore, Cadet Maier-Costanza has been a member of the [...]

Name: Lydia Wagner School: West Virginia University Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia Major/Minor: Major in Nursing with a Minor in Military Science What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Lydia Wagner is one of the most dedicated and humble Cadets in the Mountaineer battalion. A naturalized citizen born in China, Cadet Wagner truly appreciates the freedoms and opportunities afforded to her as an American citizen. Her conduct in ROTC, college, and personal life exemplify what it means to be a selfless leader. Since day one, she has put in more time and effort to improving herself and others than [...]

Name: Chandler Bullard School: Loyola University Chicago Hometown: Dayton, Ohio Major/Minor: Major in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience with Minors in Biology and Psychology What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Bullard is an exceptional Cadet, and this was reflected in her recent selfless actions. Cadet Bullard is the Rambler Battalion Commander, a Distinguished Military Graduate, and a two-time member of the champion Bataan Memorial March Team, but still stepped up to the plate when her team needed her the most. The day prior to the Task Force Ranger Challenge, one of the primary members of the team had [...]

Name: Melissa Czarnogursky School: Montclair State University Hometown: East Rutherford, NJ Major: Psychology What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Czarnogursky has not only proven to be an outstanding Cadet, but an overall outstanding citizen. After a little over four years of prior service as an E-5, Fire Directed Center Specialist in Field Artillery, she applied to West Point where she spent one year at the United States Military Academy Preparatory school, and two years at West Point itself. Cadet Czarnogursky transferred this semester to Montclair State University and is now an MS3. Aside from receiving multiple awards, [...]

Name: Bryce Dively School: Marquette University Hometown: Wasau, WI Major: International Affairs What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? As evidenced by his not only long but distinguished list of accolades, CDT Dively is an MS IV Cadet that embodies all the aspects we look for in our future Officers.  He not only exceeds at the highest levels individually, but he ensures his peers and subordinates are working toward success as well. This past fall, the Battalion Operations Officer selected CDT Dively to be the officer-in-charge (OIC) for MS III Tactics at the Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX). Given [...]

Name: Miles Keane School: Virginia Tech Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey Major: Political Science What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? CDT Keane stands miles ahead of his fellow MSII peers. As soon he arrived at Virginia Tech and the New River Battalion (NRB), CDT Keane proved to be the hardest working Cadet in his class. He is a key team member on the Ranger Challenge Team. As an MSI, he had the fastest 5-mile time in the 1st Brigade Ranger Challenge competition. From there, CDT Keane has consistently maxed his PT test and contributed to the growth and development [...]

Name: Kyle Wolfe School: Baylor University Hometown: Parker, Colorado Major: Environmental Health What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Kyle Wolfe is the number one Cadet in the Baylor Bear Battalion. Consistently ranked at the top of his class by his peers, Cadet Wolfe competently and faithfully displays all the virtues of an excellent leader. As a member of the Baylor Ranger Challenge Team, Cadet Wolfe has been a reliable member of a dedicated team and has competed in several Ranger Challenge Competitions. Moreover, as a member of the greater Bear Battalion, Cadet Wolfe has taken it upon himself [...]

Name: Victoria Heim School: University of Mississippi Hometown: York, PA Major: Sociology with Minors in Classics, Environmental Science and Military Science What makes this Cadet stand our from their peers? Her involvement in the program is what separates her from her peers. She truly strives to improve the program on a weekly basis. She not only cares about the program, but also her university and community. She is the Director of Standards and Ethics for the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and the president of the Ole Miss Women’s Club Volleyball, and she also works for Ole Miss Athletics Broadcasting Services. Cadet [...]

Name: Kellie A. McCauley School: University of Cincinnati Hometown: Orange Country, CA Major: Health Science What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Cadet Kellie McCauley is an extremely driven and highly motivated MS II who, through her determination to succeed and confidence, is an example of a present and most qualified junior Cadet with the potential to exceed standards and become an exceptional officer. Cadet McCauley began the semester immediately knowing that her future lied within the Army. Within a matter of two months she gathered and completed all documents to include 104-R, insurance, 139-R, DODMERB physical and with a [...]

Name: Mayra Bendavid School: California State University of Fullerton Hometown: Los Angeles, California Major: Sociology with a minor in Military Science What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Cadet Mayra Bendavid enlisted into the Army in February of 2011 as a 68W (Combat Medic). Cadet Bendavid joined the California State University of Fullerton (CSUF) ROTC program August 2017 as a Green-to-Gold, Active Duty option Cadet. During her time enlisted she attained the rank of Sergeant Promotable prior to joining the ROTC program. Since her enrollment as a student for CSUF and a Cadet within the Titan Battalion, Cadet Bendavid [...]

Name: Brock A. Crystal School: Central Michigan University Hometown: Barrytown, MI Major: Exercise Science – Health Fitness with German Studies Minor What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Cadet Crystal sets the bar higher for himself an his peers. Cadets within the battalion respond to his leadership because of his physical capabilities as well as his can-do-anything attitude. He has a positive attitude and comports himself as an officer. He consistently has the best grades in his MSL class, scores among the best on the APFT, and is heavily involved in extra-curricular activities such as CrossFit, Ranger Challenge, and [...]

Name: Christopher Han School: Augusta University Hometown: San Diego, CA Major: Political Science with a focus in International Studies What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Cadet Christopher Han has a strong presence: over six feet tall, with a calm essence and a very approachable leadership style. As a former Army non-commissioned Officer (NCO) he is well-trained in both infantry tactics and military intelligence. He is a current Battalion Commander with a 3.96 GPA, who leads Cadets from the front with high-energy, purpose, direction and motivation to win. Cadet Han is also a professional Muay Thai kickboxing tournament fighter, [...]

By Capt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh, Eastern Washington University Cheney, Wash – Cadet Kyle Stanton, a senior at Eastern Washington University (EWU), returned home on July 26th after successfully completing the US Army Air Assault School in Fort Hood, Texas. In addition to the air assault qualification Cadet Stanton received the Army Achievement Medal for placing first out of 62 Soldiers in the twelve-mile road march. Air Assault School is a 10-day course designed to prepare Soldiers for insertion, evacuation, and pathfinder missions that call for the use of multipurpose transportation and assault helicopters. Air Assault training focuses on the mastery of [...]

THE STORY OF THE FIRST ORTHODOX JEW AT ADVANCED CAMP AT FT KNOX FORT KNOX, Ky.— Cadet Michael (Aryeh) Urist from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, carries more than the standard weight in his rucksack during his time at Cadet Summer Training. Urist carries a week’s worth of MRE’s and the pressure of maintaining his religion in the field. Urist is an Orthodox Jew, meaning he adheres to the Torah. He follows strict jewish law on Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath. He is the first Orthodox Jew to complete Advanced Camp since camp has been hosted at Fort Knox. He eats a kosher [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – With five days remaining in Advanced Camp, Cadets of 10th Regiment became acquainted with the different branches the Army has to offer at branch round table at Hill Hall August 11.   Branch round table helps Cadets to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing their military career path.    Lt. Col. Stewart Van Buren, an adjutant general (AG) officer at Human Resources Command and a presenter at branch round table , advises Cadets to remember that despite whatever branch they find themselves in, their first priority is bigger than themselves. “Regardless of what branch [...]

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. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets rotate through more than 20 tents set up at Keyes Park August 9.  In each tent, Cadets are briefed on a specific branch the Army has to offer.  From military intelligence to air defense artillery to the Nurse Corps, the choices and opportunities for the Cadets are wide-ranging.  Of the 18 branches showcased, three received the biggest draws: armor, aviation and infantry. With her eyes set on commissioning as an infantry officer upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma, Cadet Annie Ryan said her decision to pursue infantry was made when she [...]

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—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. – After a rigorous 31 days, Cadets of 6th Regiment celebrated the long-awaited completion of Basic Camp with a graduation ceremony on Brooks Field August 2. Looking back, Cadet Alexander Ayres of the University of Northern Colorado says his experience at Basic Camp was more enjoyable than it was difficult all thanks to his peers in Alpha Company. “It was kind of a culture shock transitioning from my civilian life to basic summer training. I made a bunch of friends and I’ve made lots of new battle buddies and they really helped me pull through thick and thin. [...]

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 [...]