Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Jorge O. Sejas, University of West Florida First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Victor C. Clark, University of Texas at San Antonio USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Slyvia R. Goldsmith, The Ohio State University Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Mary E. Bell, Wheaton College ARNG Minuteman AwardCadet Adrian Delgado, University of North Georgia Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Kalaya E. Lee, University of California Berkeley Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Elaina R. Dwinal, Creighton University Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Bladen D. Cunnings, California State University Fresno Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Own K. […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Field Leadership Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023.  FLRC is an obstacle course designed to challenge and grow the Cadets’ teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. “The squad grows stronger knowing what our flaws and our strengths are, when to listen to each other, and how to put into action every kind of plan,” said Cadet Angel Colon-Morales, Puerto Rico University. “FLRC can test you out. It shows whether you are a good listener, a good leader, and if you know how to work [on] a […]

FORT KNOX Ky. –Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, descend from a 64-foot rappel tower atFort Knox, Ky., July 6, 2023. Many Cadets scaled down the rappel tower every day. Each experiencing their own challenges and fears,learning their own lessons in confidence, and cultivating an appreciation for being prepared and skilled. “It’s to get Cadets comfortable with rappelling down the tower and off the open side of a tower,” saidCadet Nick Hagan, Virginia Tech. “It’s also really good for building confidence, just overall as a Cadet, andthat’ll translate into the field.” There are some Cadets, who go to the rappel tower […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Gina Lucciono from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, played the role of a squad leader at the elevation station during the Field Leader Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023. Being the only Cadet to be given instructions from the Cadre, it was up to Lucciono to communicate specific directions to the rest of her team. “I had to give out the information and pass it down accordingly,” Lucciono said. “I had to make sure everyone’s on the same page so we can actually execute the plan properly.” The FLRC teach Cadets how to work […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, descended a 64-foot tower for rappel training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023. A recent graduate from University of Central Florida, 2nd Lt. Hayley Blatt, explained the process Cadets participate in throughout rappel training. “First, we do a demonstration, then we assist with tying seats, [next] the Cadets go down the slant wall,” Blatt said. “After the Cadets complete the slant wall, they go down the closed side, then the open side of the tower.” After completing every step of the process, Cadet Sydney Honeycutt from Xavier University described how […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, worked together to complete a series of obstacles during the Field Leader Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023. FLRC is designed to build Cadets’ leadership and teamwork skills by having them complete challenging obstacles within a time limit. It requires quick decision making and trust in each other. Cadet Corey Coombs from Texas State University, faced some anxiety during one of the courses, in which Cadets had to get themselves and a heavy box across ropes and over a wall. “I was a little skeptical, because for this […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Soldiers from all different parts of the Army come to Fort Knox, Ky., to support Cadet Summer Training. Staff Sgt. Lidia Zavalza came to Fort Knox from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington to cook in one of the mobile kitchen trailers, making food for Cadre while they are on the job.  Zavalza joined the Army 10 years ago as a 92G, also known as a Culinary Specialist.  “I joined the Army because I grew up with my dad’s side of the family all being in the military, and I wanted to try it too,” Zavalza said. “My grandmother, she […]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Matthew K. Freel, University of Dayton First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Kyle R. Coughenour, Campbell University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Emma E. Genter, Purdue University Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Hazzel A. Leon, University of San Francisco ARNG Minuteman AwardCadet SClaire E. Hellman, University of Iowa Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Jalunt T. Reese, Jackson State University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Lukas R. Bausler, University of San Francisco Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Ryan J. Figueroa, University of Texas at San Antonio Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Jessie A. Lucero, Missouri […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – A dark cloud storms its way across the training area where Cadets from 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp were planning to work on their field training exercises on July 1, 2023.  Due to the frequent lightning strikes, overheard thunder, and heavy rain, the training was brought to a halt. While the Cadets were waiting underneath their soon-to-be soaking wet ponchos, they had some down time to speak on FTX and their future aspirations.  “The field training event prepares us for future leadership events and tests how we perform under distress in adverse conditions,” said Cadet Alexander Grieves, Central […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 30, 2023. During the FTX, Cadets conducted a raid, a surprise attack where Cadets destroy or capture the opposing forces. One Cadet talked about their experience during the raid. Cadet Sam Barnhart from Virginia Tech said that he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because of his family. He was able to date his family’s history all the way back to the Revolutionary War. “Having that lineage of the military, it’s just in the blood, and I knew I was going […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their preliminary marksmanship instruction in preparation for their weapons qualification during Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 30, 2023.  Cadets spend a few days working through PMI, the engagement skills trainer, and zeroing before they must qualify with their M4 carbines.  For some Cadets, such as Cadet Dynasty Esposito, City College of New York, CST is their first exposure to the Army’s weapons training. “I’m a little nervous since this is my first weapon qual[ification],” Esposito said. “Hopefully, I get a 40 out of 40, which I’m pretty confident […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadet Agnelo Lopes, Columbia State University, from 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, decided at a young age that he was going to serve in the Army. At around 7 years old, Lopes had traveled two miles from Jersey City, New Jersey, for a school field trip to the Statue of Liberty. The day of this field trip was September 11, 2001 — a day that changed Lopes’ life trajectory as well as the United States.  “I was actually on a field trip to the Statue of Liberty when the twin towers went down,” Lopes said. “I always wanted […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Cadet Jon Waldon, 5th Regiment Advanced Camp, implemented his prior experience as a staff sergeant to help guide him through Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. During engagement skills trainer, Waldon worked with fellow Cadets, rotating through the stations that are designed to improve their marksmanship skills. “My experience today was good, I think that the Cadre have done a really good job with this training,” Waldon said. “I’ve been in the military for six years. I haven’t ever seen such attention to detail focused on the foundations.” Waldon worked as an eye specialist in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment Advanced camp tackled the weapons qualification on the Pells Range at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. The weapons qualification challenged Cadets to use the knowledge and training they have received over the last few days to show off their shooting abilities to hit targets at various distances.Cadet Terrence Bryant, Florida A&M University, shared his experience during weapons qualification. “I’m not a stranger behind a gun; I’ve definitely been practicing on my shooting,” Bryant said.“I know I made a few mistakes, but I was able to come on top of it and I’m […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Army Combat Fitness Test at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. The ACFT consists of six events: the max deadlift, the standing power throw, hand-release pushups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run. “I definitely did better than I was expecting,” said Cadet McKinley Rainey, University of Hawaii at Manoa. “I think I did good because it’s a really positive environment, everybody is cheering each other on.” The ACFT is the first training event that Cadets must participate in after their arrival to camp. The ACFT tests Cadets’ physical and mental […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. The FTX trained Cadets on how to be a leader and tactically lead a platoon of forty-four Cadets in various missions. During the FTX, Cadets conducted a raid, a surprise attack where Cadets destroy or capture the opposing forces. One Cadet talked about a unique story along with his experience during the raid. Cadet Ernes Selimovic from St. John’s University New York, joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because of his parents. He said that his parents came to […]

­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, conducted a simulated raid mission as a part of their situational training exercise, known as STX, during Cadet Summer Training, at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. At the STX, Cadets worked together as a platoon to practice various combat tactics with simulated field missions. These combat tactics included conducting a mock raid, attack, ambush, reaction to contact, and defensive positions. Cadet Nathan Taake from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University explained the purpose of the STX lanes. “STX is to keep us trained in the fundamentals of Army tactics and leadership,” […]

Cadets Nina Huff, Loyola University Maryland, and Antonia Adipietro, Norwich University, from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, compared their experience with the 64-foot rappel tower to their expectations for air assault school after camp at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023.

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, spent the day planning and executing field training exercises during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023. Cadets will spend a total of 12 days in the field where they will sleep in the woods, test their leadership abilities and run missions like ambushes, raids, attacks, defense, reconnaissance and movement to contact. Cadet Madeline Bryan, Loyola University Chicago, and her platoon executed an attack on an objective. “Everybody communicated with me effectively,” Bryan said. “I got on the objective, I knew I had to shoot, I posted the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023. During FTX, Cadets conducted a platoon ambush; a platoon ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving target.  Cadets applied an excess amount of face paint on and marched their way in the hot sun through the thick terrain and in the mud to the location of the platoon ambush. One Cadet talked about their experience during FTX. Cadet Caroline Courtney from Gannon University joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because of her brother. She […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadets from 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their land navigation test for Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023.  For the day test, Cadets must find at least three points out of four within the four hour time limit.  Cadet Brooke Hawkins, University of Denver, said she felt confident going into her test.  “My program really prepared me,” Hawkins said. “There’s also a lot of gravel trails out here, which is nice, so you don’t have to dead ruck the entire thing. It’s so pretty out here, so it’s also a plus when you’re doing land […]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the warrior skills training event during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 25, 2023. The warrior skills training event consists of different exercises that teach Cadets about basic military tactical operations in combat environments before beginning their field training exercises. Warrior skills training includes troop leading procedures, setting up claymore mines, throwing hand grenades, and other essential tasks. The purpose of this training event is for Cadets to work on their individual skillsets while the observer-controller-trainers assess the quality of Cadets’ leadership abilities. Lt. Col. Benjamin Van Meter […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp learned about teamwork and leadership while completing their field leader reaction course training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 25, 2023. Cadets train on the FLRC, working together to solve problems and complete simulated missions on various obstacles.  Maj. Brian Alexander, professor of military science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, said the course helps Cadets learn to delegate tasks and trust their teammates, as a leader.  “The field leader reaction course is important because it introduces complex problem sets to these small unit teams, and it requires these Cadets to kind of think outside […]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, participated in the confidence course during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023. The confidence course consists of a series of obstacles that are designed to challenge the Cadets’ physical abilities and help build their confidence. The obstacles require Cadets to climb ropes, jump hurdles, perform low crawls and more. Cadet Benjamin Rider of St. Norbert College—University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, explains the purpose of the confidence course. “In order to relate to the troops that we’ll one day be leading, we have to understand, always have confidence, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Lt. Col. Gary Goodman, Cadre member from the University of Delaware, watches over 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets at the engagement skills training event at Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023. Goodman explained that EST is an important event to hold at the beginning of Advanced Camp because it prepares Cadets for the qualifications test that occurs later on. The 5th Regiment’s Cadets all have had prior experience shooting, but during Cadet Summer Training, every Advanced Camp Cadet must go back to the basics of marksmanship. At EST, Cadets learn about proper shooting positions, weapons manipulation, and […]