FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Anna Johnson from Michigan State University, Advanced Camp, 8th Regiment, recovers after the Field Training Exercise, at Densberger, Fort Knox, Ky., August 2, 2023. While cleaning her M-4 Carbine Rifle, Johnson described the pressure she felt while working together with her entire platoon to complete tactical missions in the field. “When you’re under stress or under pressure, you start to see a different side of people and how they develop as leaders,” Johnson explained. “At the baseline everyone has to know these tactics and the basics of being a Soldier, so working as a whole not […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, entered the second stage of their Field Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 26, 2023.  Spending a total of 12 days in the field, Cadets complete groups of exercises, which are divided into 3 parts: Wolverine, Panther, and Grizzly. The Cadets are challenged mentally and physically before their skills are graded on the last day.  “We’re on our second mission, on the first day of Panther, and we’re completing an area defense,” said Cadet Phillip Jones, Alabama A&M. “Leadership is still processing the last few parts of our plan to […]

“We spent all day at the range and that was pretty exhausting mentally and physically and then we had to stay up and pack our rucks,” said Cadet Jamar Carlisle, a student from at Georgia State University. “That kind of played a toll, but overall I think everybody is pretty excited to get this six-miler down.”

With a plane full of anxious Cadets flying towards their connection in Amsterdam, with a final destination of Hungary for the Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP), no one expected a flight attendant to ask for medical personnel over the intercom. However, for Cadet Jerrod Fedorchik from South Dakota State University, this call brought him to his feet, and without hesitation, he ran towards the back of the plane. They were twenty minutes from landing, and Fedorchik discovered the reason for the urgent announcement – a nineteen-year-old girl had collapsed in the plane’s bathroom. “She was starting to come back to, but […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_BTtQ–NpQ[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — US Army Medics from across the country took part in a validation exercise to stay prepared in case anything should happen during Cadet Summer Training (CST). The training today, July 24, 2019, focused on validating the steps medical personnel have in place when a patient needs evacuation. This scenario found four soldiers badly wounded after a truck had flipped and each soldier launched onto the side of the road leaving them in dire need of help. Medics who arrived on scene had to make sure the patients on the ground were taken care of, […]

The night of June 14 was one for the books, as the U.S. Army marched into its 244th year, commemorating the day with the annual cake cutting. Each year, the Army’s birthday is celebrated with the cutting of a birthday cake, done by the youngest and oldest soldiers present. This year, 18-year-old Pfc. Zachary Partridge and 61-year-old Chaplain (Col.) Timothy Walls were given the honor of wielding that saber. Celebrating the Army’s birthday is about much more than age, though. “I think it’s important that we remember the Army colors, the guide on that has the United States Army’s emblem on […]

Fort Knox, Ky. — At 16 years of age most people are worried about getting their driver’s license, Cadet Daniel Cole was finding a place to live and trying to join the Army. Cole is from Fayetteville, North Carolina and attends the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Growing up with his father in the military, Cole always had an interest in joining the military, but his route to Advanced Camp, Cadet Summer Training was anything but traditional. “I come from a military family, my dad was in the military,” Cole said. “It was always the plan that I was either going […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_uoAWE-KnM[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets were instructed to shoot, move and communicate as they navigated down range today during the Buddy Team Live Fire training exercise. The exercise is designed to teach skills and Army values to Cadets, such as teamwork, self-reliance and communication. Woods II Range Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) Master Sgt. Kirby Odom said the training was added to Advanced Camp this year to prepare Cadets for future careers. “We are ensuring that the Cadets get a little bit more of a taste like their privates would [get]  going through basic training,” Odom said. “When they […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kj5zjFkPfw[/embedyt] “All basic training soldiers have to throw two live hand grenades. So, as future officers and leaders of America, why would we not be held to the same standard?” asked Cadet Sean McCarthy, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke from the 1st Regiment Advanced Camp. The answer to that question is that they [cadets] are “held to the same standard.” At least as of this year’s Cadet Summer Training, where the Cadets are required to throw two live grenades. In order for that to happen, the Cadets first had to demonstrate their ability with practice grenades. The […]

Fort Knox, Ky.—Teamwork and trust are not values unique to the Army but they certainly are highly emphasized. 1st Regiment Cadets spent the past two days going through the Buddy Team Live Fire training exercise. Yesterday, the Cadets went down the range practicing with blanks while today, the Cadets moved down range using live ammunition. Through the exercise Cadets are paired with a partner to work with to effectively and safely move down range while engaging targets. These pairs of battle buddies now had to put their trust of one another to the test. For Cadet James Harding, from Plainfield, Massachusetts, […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – The decision to join Army ROTC is one that changed Advanced Camp Cadet’s lives forever. For Cadet Matthew Clark, from Hilliard Ohio, attending Ohio State University, the decision was made in high school. Despite growing up with no military background, Clark said he always had in interest in the military and the Army. He made the decision to pursue a career in the Army through ROTC his sophomore year of high school. Clark wants to be an emergency room or trauma nurse specifically for the Army because of the experience he would gain and the ability to […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjCYoFIPIkc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Award winning author Jack Ford read today at Barr Memorial Library as part of one of the many events the library hosts. Jack Ford, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, came to Barr Memorial Library on May 22, 2019, to discuss his newest novel, “Chariot on the Mountain”, as part of the monthly Authors at Your Library series. Going back as far as September 16, 2010, the event series has brought well over 100 authors to Fort Knox, Kentucky. More than 40 of those authors were also New York Times Best Sellers. Michael Steinmacher, the […]

Radcliff, Ky. — Fort Knox and the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs partnered to host a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Kentucky Veteran’s Cemetery in Radcliff, Kentucky at 11:30a.m. on Monday, May 27th.  Hundreds of civilians, veterans, and families gathered together to partake in the events at the Veteran’s Cemetery. The ceremony opened with music from the Ladies of Liberty, followed by The Star Spangled Banner by the 100th Army Band (USAR).  Chaplain Maj. Jonathan Lee gave a short invocation before Maj. Gen. Frank Muth spoke the publics. “Memorial Day is a time-honored commitment to never forget those who served and […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — “CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, so what we’re training these cadets here to do is to react primarily to a chemical and biological attack,” 2nd Lt. Johnathan Marcelli said about CBRN training. Marcelli is a recent graduate and commissionee from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He will be joining the 59th Chemical Company in Fort Drum, New York. He is one of many who have traveled far and wide to train this year’s Cadets. CBRN training takes Cadets through a few different stations, including a hands-on teaching session that covers eight critical tasks, a […]

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: 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: Tristan M. Hussey School: Howard University Hometown: Woodbridge, VA Major: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communication with a concentration in Legal Communications What makes this Cadet stand out from their peers? Cadet Hussey is currently an MSIII Cadet at Howard University majoring in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communication with a concentration in Legal Communications. During his sophomore year, he was selected as the Howard University Army ROTC Cadet of the Year, received the Superior Cadet Award, and successfully completed the US Army Airborne School during summer break on two weeks’ short notice. During his freshman year he […]

FORT KNOX, Ky – As their time at Fort Knox draws to a close, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp seized their chance to participate in the Spartan Race on July 14, 2018. “I’ve never done this and I’ve always wanted to do it,” said Cadet Christina Taylor, Austin Peay State University. “I’ve never had the opportunity. I usually do half marathons and full marathons. I’ve never done a Spartan Race.” With several heats taking off throughout the morning, the event brought in hundreds of runners and spectators from the public, including Fort Knox. The 4.5 mile “sprint” consisted of over […]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Today was an exciting day for members of the Kentucky Cabinet. They had the amazing opportunity of learning how to rappel in the same fashion Cadets do at Cadet Summer Training. The event kicked off with brief safety instructions and demonstrations of correct and incorrect ways to rappel down the tower. Once demonstrations were complete, they began to fasten up their protective gear and practice what they learned on a smaller training wall. After the cabinet members completed a dry run of belay and rappelling, they were ready for the real deal. One by one, each member climbed […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Buzz and excitement filled the air as the Honorable Mark T. Esper, paid a visit to Fort Knox on July 9th. The 23rd Secretary of the United States Army had a day filled with exploring all that goes into Cadet Summer Training, and took some time to engage with both Cadre and Cadets. The Secretary’s first stop of the day was the Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction Pit, where he met with Maj. Gen. John Evans, Congressman Brett Guthrie, and Cadre as they discussed Cadet numbers and how to increase ROTC involvement. Once briefed on the facts and figures that […]

FORT KNOX, KY. — For most students going into their senior year of college, a typical summer before their final fall semester might include landing a stellar internship, working in a research lab at their respective university, or even studying abroad in a foreign country. But for students enrolled in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), the summer before their senior year is far from typical. Between June 4 and August 18, approximately 6,000 Cadets, or students enrolled in ROTC, will flock to Fort Knox, Ky, to spend 31 days participating in Advanced Camp. Graduating from Advanced Camp will ultimately enable […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- What is the key to success when performing a mass casualty evacuation? That’s right, communication! As cliché as it might sound, communication is the most vital tool to use when working to assess a situation. The Cadre at Forward Operating Base Densberger were preparing for the imminent arrival of 9,000 cadets for Cadet Summer Training. “This is the Densberger Scenario. There was a vehicle accident down the hill and our medics will go respond to it and document the care as quickly as possible,” briefed Cpt. Erin Kornaki. “Once on scene, we will then triage the victims or figure […]

In my year working with Cadet Command, I have had many opportunities to talk to Major General Christopher Hughes in passing. I was lucky enough to hear him give several speeches, both at Cadet Summer Training and outside of CST at various events at Fort Knox. Not only is he an immaculate speaker, but he is also down to earth and genuine; he cares greatly about his command and the people in it, no matter how small their role. I knew that I had to have a sit-down interview with him prior to his retirement and change of command. The following […]

By: Emily LaForme Michigan State University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Spartan Battalion), welcomed a surprise guest during their battalion run on the morning of October 19. Col. Lance Oskey, Brigade Commander at United States Army Cadet Command (ROTC), visited the Spartan Battalion Cadets where he joined in on morning physical training and a battalion run. Cadet Thaddaeus Meyer, native of Ashland, Wisconsin, and Michigan State University sophomore, welcomed the opportunity to connect with Oskey. “We had a battalion run and practiced cadences while doing so,” said Meyer. “I first met Col. Oskey yesterday, and I got to know him […]