By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey visited 8th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets at the Dunagan Teamwork Development Course, July 20, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Luckey’s visit covered multiple courses and multiple regiments of Cadets training. “We’ve been looking at all kinds of different training venues, First Aid, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear training events. Spent a little time in the confidence chamber, an Army euphemism for gas chamber,” stated Luckey. “We put on masks, jumped around, did some jumping jacks, breathe deep for a while and, if you’re me after about 45 seconds, […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – The Spartan Race was held on July 22, welcoming participants from all around the country, including Cadet Summer Training’s very own Cadets and Cadre. The Spartan Race is a 4.2 mile course designed to test strength and endurance as participants maneuver different obstacles and challenging terrain. Zari Weaver, student at Temple University, native of Maryland, and a 6th Regiment Basic Camp Cadet, participated in the Spartan Race. “I just signed up for the Spartan Race, and this is my first time. I ran cross-country and I’ve done half-marathons, so I thought I might as well give it […]

FORT KNOX – Ky. – Sweat dripped off the rim of a Cadet’s patrol cap as he and his fellow Cadets from 8th Regiment, Basic Camp maneuvered their way through the Team Development Course (TDC) in the ninety-degree heat on July 21. Despite the heat, humidity and the demanding nature of each obstacle throughout the course, Cadets learned valuable lessons on the importance of communication, teamwork and leadership. “TDC is all about team building,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gene Ray. “It’s teaching Cadets to work together out of a group they’ve just met while they learn how to lead and how […]

FORT KNOX – Ky. – Between the sounds of simulated explosions and the shouts of Cadets calling to their battle buddies, Cadets from 6th Regiment, Basic Camp participated in Small Unit Tactics on July 20. The purpose of small unit tactics is for Cadets to learn how to work cohesively in small squads during potentially combative situations. Here, Cadets worked on forward movement, moving in buddy teams, battle drills and formations, specialty teams and communication. A buddy team is the smallest tactical element that Cadets learn to operate at. When Cadets participate in larger element movements, they can draw from their […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – It was a little past 11 o’clock at night when Cadet Mercedes Hayes of New Mexico Military Institute reminded herself that she was over halfway done. There were only 3.2 miles remaining. “I came up with a little mantra to tell myself – that I’m a strong person, everyone else is doing the same thing I am, and no matter what, it’s just about finishing,” she said as she sat to take a water break with the other Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp. “I feel like I want to sleep, honestly. But I feel that I […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Tori Richison, a student at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, says she feels well-prepared for the mission that’s sure to be a challenge: land navigation. “It’s a little nerve-wracking just because you’re on your own, and it’s at night, too,” the Osceola, Wisconsin native said. Richison, along with the other Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, is required to successfully navigate alone from one location to another through the daunting, critter-infested forests of rural Fort Knox. She says knowing how to physically lead through any type of terrain is “very important.” “As a platoon leader, […]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-Basic Camp Regiment 7 just arrived and have begun to learn the basics of being a soldier at Fort Knox, Ky. Even though most of the basics covered during field craft might seem like a repeat to the Cadets, it is important that every one understands hygiene and cautionary procedures while out in the field and on post. The Cadets are brought into a classroom and briefed on the dangers of letting their person go and not maintaining a standard of cleanliness. Soldiers are expected to keep their person clean, healthy, and ready at all times. […]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-9 Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets got up early to complete their Army Physical Fitness Test at Fort Knox, Ky on June 15, 2017. The test involved doing sit-ups, push-ups, and a two-mile run. Cadets are expected to pass the minimum requirement, and some go well beyond. Gender and age determine what requisite the individual must meet. Cadre over see the process keeping time and calling out orders as the Cadets try to get a best time and count in the different physical exercises. Physical fitness has long been a foundation in army training and a core […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Thirty-one days of rigorous, stress-inducing and physically demanding training has come to an end for the nearly five hundred Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced Camp on July 15. Through the countless miles rucked, the sleepless nights in the field and the obstacles they’ve had to face these past few weeks, the Cadets of Fifth Regiment ended their time here at CST just as it had began: together. “Today everything came together,” said Cadet Andrew Vanderweele, The Pennsylvania State University. “There are lots of happy faces here.” Cadet Vanderweele was the recipient of the ApexTech Warrior Award, which […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Eighth Regiment, Advanced Camp suited up in full MOPP4 gear, grabbed tightly to the shoulder of the Cadet in front of them and braced for impact at the CS Chamber on July 14. The CS chamber is an exercise Cadets must pass through in order to fulfill their CBRN requirement. CBRN, which stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, is a part of Cadet Summer Training that helps to foster Cadets’ confidence in their gear. “The intent of CBRN is to build confidence in our abilities and our gear,” said Cadet Zachary Stuart, Texas Christian […]

By Lindsey Crown Cadet Sha’quetah Bailey has a crippling fear of heights. It all started when she was younger and almost slipped out of a roller coaster at the North Carolina State Fair. “I still get jitterbugs from it,” Bailey said, Elizabeth City State University,. Maj. Gen. Christopher Hughes asked Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp what their greatest fears were during a meeting, she said. Hughes identified with Bailey when she said she had a fear of heights. So much so that he said he’d take on the high ropes course with her – a task that they must complete […]

MALAWI, SOUTH AFRICA – A team of eleven cadets and one cadre member from around the United States were chosen to attend a CULP, Cultural Understanding and Language Profeciency, mission in Malawi, Africa. The cadets in the team had no idea what to expect for their first full day in country. They knew they were going to be training with the Airborne Battalion but that was about the extent of their knowledge for the first day’s agenda. “I went in having little expectations,” said Shyla Tibert, an International Studies major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “I expected the […]

FORT KNOX, KY—44th Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, visited Cadet Summer training on July 12. Lt. Gen. West gave a speech to Cadets and held a question and answer session prior to her speech. Cadets silently file into Olive Theater on a humid Wednesday afternoon at Fort Knox. They take their seats and await the arrival of the 44th Army Surgeon General, Lt. General Nadja West. General West is introduced, and everyone stands as she enters the theater. “Where’s Alpha Company?” General West asks as she makes her way to the podium on the stage. Alpha Company responds with […]

Fort Knox, Ky., — Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West visited Cadet Summer Training July 12, stopping at the George Blair weapon qualification range, where the 8th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets were qualifying. West is the first black female lieutenant general and the highest-ranking woman to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, as well as the first black surgeon general. While at the range, West fired the same 40 rounds a Cadet would be required to shoot in order to qualify with the M4 carbine. After qualifying, West spoke to the assembled Cadets at the range for a few moments. “Get everything […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – What do you call getting woken up bright and early to navigate difficult terrain in order to successfully complete Advanced Camp? For Seventh Regiment, Advanced Camp, this is called just another day in paradise. Cadets spent the morning of July 11 completing their Land Navigation test, a must-pass requirement for Cadet Summer Training, with simply a map, compass and their intuition to guide the way – no Google Maps allowed. “Yesterday we completed the written portion of the land navigation test,” said Cadet Janine Donnelly, Washington State University. “The written part tested how well we do with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—History is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the whole series of past events connected with someone or something. Cadets of 6th Regiment, Basic Camp, learned July 8 that there is much depth to the Army’s history that relates to each and every one of them. 2LT Olivia Combs, Slippery Rock University, helped to instruct Cadets on Army as a profession and assisted with the Army History class. “We want to establish a knowledge for the Cadets to understand the difference between joining the Army as a profession and being a professional and expert in their field as opposed to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced camp spent their evening exploring the different branches the U.S. Army has to offer at Branch Orientation on Sunday, July 10. Branch orientation slightly resembles a career fair, where men and women with years of service in a specific field come and speak about their experience and what Cadets can expect, should they choose to go a certain route. However, where traditional job fairs are usually held in convention centers with rows of employers asking, “do you think you have what it takes?” branch orientation is devised into a three-hour rotation period […]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, Ky-7 Regiment Basic Camp Cadets headed outdoors to practice drill and ceremony on June 9, 2017 at Fort Knox, Ky. Drill and ceremony is one of the first events Cadets participate in after their arrival at Fort Knox. Everyone is required to show up and practice following orders, learning how to march and respond correctly to leadership. This is the time where new Cadets can receive their first taste of army culture. The history of drill and ceremony goes way back to the Revolutionary War. According to Staff Sgt. Gene Lucas, Chaplain’s office and Army Sustainment […]

By Savoury Jacobson FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 8, 2017, Advanced Camp Cadets of the 7 Regiment, engaged with call for fire training at Fort Knox, Ky. The goal of the training is to accurately estimate range in order to call in artilliery, successfully locating and destroying enemy targets during a combat situation. Computer programming is employed as the unit learns to find locations and engage a hostile person, object, or place . A communication system called fire discipline is used by the military in the directing of artillery engagement. Even though only a few soldiers actually carry out indirect fire […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – Basic Camp 3rd Regiment Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training on July 6, 2017, and Cadets were finally reunited with their families after a long 31 days of training. Cadet Lena Marinkovich, student at the University of Hawaii, native of Milwaukee, graduated from Basic Camp and was reunited with her family, including her father and older brother, who both currently serve with the Army. “It feels really great, I’ve missed everyone, especially being away with only other military people for a month, it’s really nice having the family together,” said Marinkovich. Marinkovich said she was inspired to join […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – Basic Camp 3rd Regiment Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training on July 6, 2017 after successfully completing 31 days of training. Each Regiment that passes through CST is named in honor of a fallen veteran who also completed Reserve Officers Training Corps, and 3rd Regiment has the honor of being named after General Frederick C. Weyland. Cadet Zachary Dexter, student at Indiana University, native of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, graduated basic camp was rewarded for his hard work at CST. “This morning was great for me, even though we had to wake up early. We got up, did graduation […]

Fort Knox, Ky.,– Basic Camp 5th Regiment Cadets attended a seminar where they learned and discussed the Seven Army Values and how they can apply the values to their leadership training. Cadet Zachary St Laurent, student at Georgia Military College, native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, attended the seminar alongside the rest of his regiment. “My fellow Cadets and I are learning about the Seven Army Values: which are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. We are learning about the definition of all of those and how they relate to being an Officer or being an Non-Commissioned Officer […]

Fort Knox, Ky., — Advanced Camp 4th Regiment Cadets qualified at George Blair range June 15, 2017, part of their marksmanship education for Cadet Summer Training, and several Cadets stood out as sharpshooters once the event was completed. Cadets have to shoot a minimum of 23 out of 40 to qualify as a marksman, and to qualify for the Recondo Badge they must hit 36 out of the 40 targets. However, in order to qualify as a sharp shooter, a Cadet must hit between 31 and 35 targets. Cadet Mikaela Shields, student at the University of Southern Maine, native of Cornish, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, became more than just Cadets on Saturday, July 1; they became Basic Camp graduates. “It’s a big relief.” said Cadet graduate Logan Berghoefer, Pacific Lutheran University. “The past month has not been necessarily difficult skills-wise, but mentally, emotionally, it has been rough. I’m glad that it’s finally over.” Berghoefer was excited to have completed Basic Camp and to have built many long-lasting relationships with those in his platoon. He expressed that he felt as though he would be leaving Basic Camp with a greater sense of self-discipline that he could further bring into […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – For most men and women in the military, a traditional promotion ceremony is a suit and tie event that includes a nice venue, speeches from friends, platoon-mates and family and even some nicely prepared hors d’oeurvres and refreshments. For Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Cherry, however, this promotion ceremony was anything but traditional. Surrounded by fellow Cadre and the Cadets of his platoon, Cherry was promoted from CW3 to CW4 on July 1 in the middle of the woods. “We are promoting him because of his unique ability to embody and accomplish the mission within his rank […]