Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, pose for a photo during a situational training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., August 2nd, 2023. STX helps Cadets build confidence in the field and in their standard operating procedures. | Photo by Danielle Smith, Ohio University, CST Public Affairs Office Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Mark Suggs, Duke University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Madison Cesnick, West Virginia University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Justin Kearney, Fayetteville State University Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Michael Zirpola, Troy University ARNG Minuteman AwardCadet Matthew Brunton, Purdue University Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Grace Kirtley, Vanderbilt University [...]

Special Awards Recipients Military Order of the Purple Heart Badge of Merit AwardCadet Grace Charlesworth, University of Nebraska at Lincoln Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Maximilian Rzymski, Hofstra University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Parker Ratliff, University of Memphis AUSA Warrior Ethos AwardCadet Rex Monahan, Colorado State University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Fabiola Osoriodiodonet, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Robert Shaw, University of Alabama Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Jessica Killman, Tarleton State University Society of American Military Engineers AwardCadet Analicia Torres, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After finishing up their field training exercises, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in an early morning 10K road march during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 10, 2023. The Cadets spent two days out in the field for the FTX, then woke up at around 2:30 a.m. to march a little over six miles back to the barracks. Once the road march was over, Cadet Grant Schaefer from Norwich University said that he had a good experience and felt motivated and energized. “It was cool to see everyone doing it all together,” Schaefer [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After sleeping outside in the early morning hours, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the field training exercises during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 8, 2023. The FTX lanes simulate real-life tactical scenarios that allow Cadets to improve their skills and gain more practical field experience. The three lanes they enact are squad ambush, squad attack and movement to contact. Cadet Racquel Wilson from Florida Atlantic University said that the purpose of these exercises is for Cadets to take what they learned in the classroom and physically put it to the test [...]

Fort Knox, KY — At approximately 4 p.m. on August 3rd , 1973, Richard Spencer raised his right hand and recited the oath of an Army Officer after graduating from Jacksonville State University and completing the Army ROTC program. This newly commissioned lieutenant was heading to Airborne School that afternoon full of excitement. Little did the then 2nd Lt. Spencer know what the next 50 years would hold. Spencer began serving in the Active Duty Army in January of 1974 as a Military Police Officer. “My first duty assignment was very unique since I had a college degree, which was very [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Forest Hills Climbing Complex during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 2, 2023. The FHCC is meant to help Cadets overcome their fears and gain confidence in themselves and their equipment while completing different climbing obstacles. These obstacles include the Moore’s Mountain rock-climbing wall, the Alpine Towers and the Rudder’s Ropes Course. Despite not having any prior experience with climbing, Cadet Amaya Bradford, Towson University, said that she completed the course a lot better than she thought she would. “I was pretty nervous coming up and [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Military Blood Drive at Fort Knox, Ky., August 3, 2023. The Military Blood Drive allows Cadets to have their blood drawn which is tested and collected to be given to service members, Department of Defense employees and civilian families in need. Cadet Melissa Esswein from the University of Michigan shares her thoughts pertaining to the blood drive. “I think the blood drive is important because it’s a great way to give back to the community,” Esswein said. “In a military setting, accidents happen, people get injured, and it’s [...]

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. – During Cadet Summer Training, Cadets from Advanced Camp, 7th Regiment, donate blood at the Armed Services Blood Program’s blood drive at Smith Gym, Fort Knox, Ky., July 31, 2023.   Throughout CST, the Armed Services Blood Program hosts multiple blood drives, giving Cadets the opportunity to potentially save lives through their blood donations. Sgt. Andrew Smith III from Fort Moore, Ga., explained why the blood drive is an important activity for Cadets to participate in. “These Cadets are going to be our future leaders, so we want to get it in their mind that once they become [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their Warrior Skills training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 30, 2023. The Warrior Skills training is an event that teaches and improves Cadets’ tactical skills for the field. Cadets learn about the fundamentals of munitions and practice what they have learned in a hands-on environment. Cadet Elena Oliver from Pacific Lutheran University shares her thoughts on the Warrior Skills training. “I think I did pretty well, and it was nice to refresh our skills in the field,” Oliver said. “It was good to interact with everything, and see how [...]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, engage in various tactical training exercises during warrior skills at Fort Knox, Ky., July 29, 2023. Warrior skills teaches the Cadets foundational knowledge about grenades, handling an M240 machine gun, and proper field movements that are continuously built upon throughout Cadet Summer Training.   Cadet Eden Hyatt, University of Connecticut, participated in warrior skills and she acknowledges the importance of this training. “We’re essentially trying to prep for two things; both tactical awareness and leadership,” said Hyatt. “Warrior skills ensure that we are prepped so that we can teach and lead [...]

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 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their land navigation qualification at Fort Knox, Ky., July 28, 2023. Armed with a compass, protractor, pencil, map, and a list of coordinates, the Cadets set out, fueled by determination, to find each of their points in under 4 hours. “Today we’re conducting a day land nav., where we are supposed to find three to four points on the course,” said Cadet David Nevarez, Middle Tennessee State University. “When I first got my points, my goal was to make some type of plan to get from my first point to [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their Rappel Tower training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 28, 2023. The 64-foot Rappel Tower teaches Cadets to trust in their equipment and themselves to descend the tower. Cadets learn to be confident and brave when faced with the challenges presented at this training event. Cadet Kade Blackwell from Tarleton State University in Dallas, Tx, shares his thoughts on the Rappel Tower. “I was pretty confident at this event, and I knew most of the process for the rappel tower,” Blackwell said. “It is exciting to jump off the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Confidence Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 28, 2023.  The Confidence Course consists of ten obstacles that are designed to physically and mentally challenge Cadets. Despite how intimidating the obstacles may look, the purpose of the Confidence Course is to build confidence in Cadets.   One of the obstacles from the confidence course was named the belly over. It’s where Cadets have to get their stomach on top of a log, then roll over to the opposite side. Cadet Alexis Rivera from Central Michigan University talked about her personal experience [...]

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 [...]

 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 [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Armed with only their wits and a gas mask, Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, faced the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear chamber at Fort Knox, Ky. July 24, 2023. Many Cadets go into the chamber to challenge themselves in a different environment by preparing them for possible encounters with toxic substances in the future. “CBRN is the process and the description of being able to defend yourself from chemical warfare or any attack,” said Cadet Taylor Randazzo, Texas State. “We’re learning how to don a pro mask and how to protect ourselves against that chemical warfare [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Triston Eddlemon from Western Illinois University, Advanced Camp, 9th Regiment, watches his fellow squad members practice their first aid skills during Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 24, 2023. During TCCC, Cadets learn about the standard procedures and practices they would use in the event of a medical emergency involving a casualty. “Currently the Cadets are running through lanes where they are assessing a casualty for possible injuries, addressing those injuries, and treating them,” Eddlemon explained. “You never know when something bad is going to happen. If somebody sustains an injury, you [...]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Clark N. Kelley, Florida International University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Daniel J. Richter, Youngstown State University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Sawyer C. Davis, University of North Georgia Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Steffon M. Savage, Alcorn State University ARNG Minuteman AwardCadet Judah D. Wolf, University of New Orleans Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Nielsen P. Lundgren, Weber State University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Tavia P. Rapozo, University of San Francisco Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Declan J. Kapusta, Norwich University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Benjamin J. Gessner, Austin Peay [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, worked together in teams to complete multiple obstacles during the Team Development Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 24, 2023. TDC builds Cadets’ leadership, teamwork and communication skills through the six obstacles they must strategically traverse. Cadet David Lucidore from Slippery Rock University, felt like his group did well. “I think we did pretty well,” Lucidore said. “We completed two of the six that we did and got close on a few of the other ones.” Lucidore’s team utilized strong communication skills to traverse the obstacles effectively. “We had good communication [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence course training where they rappelled off a 64-foot tower at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. Cadets learned how to properly rappel, the safety of rappelling, and how to tie a rappel seat, called a Swiss Seat, before rappelling off the rappel tower. The purpose of the rappel training is to have Cadets gain confidence in themselves and overcome their fears. Cadets made their way to the slant wall to practice rappelling before walking up the stairs to the rappel tower. Cadet Amy Beaden from Northern Arizona University, [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, completed their training at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex on Fort Knox, Ky., July 22, 2023. The FHCC is a series of high obstacles that focuses on confidence and having trust in the climbing equipment for each course. It is composed of the Alpine Towers, The Rudders Ropes Course, and a rock-climbing wall. Cadet Lydia Sleeman, Allegheny College, shares her thoughts on the ropes course portion of the training. “I liked it, even though there were some scary parts of the course,” Sleeman stated. “I think the worst part for me [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –- Cadet Jillian Strong from the University of Pittsburgh, 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, works with her fellow squad members after completing Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. At the EST, Cadets learn how to safely handle their weapons, while working on their shooting positions and trigger manipulation. Strong said that after completing the EST, she is going to go into future marksmanship training feeling more confident. “The EST was super interesting because it was as realistic as you could get to a gun range from the inside of a building,” Strong said. “In any [...]