DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Warrior Ethos AwardCadet Joyce Nieves Lopez, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Darius Johnson, Fort Valley State University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Katherine Flores Vazquez, Turabo University Reserve Officers Association AwardCadet Hugo Calderon, California State University – Los Angeles American Legion Commander’s AwardCadet Matthew Chang, Texas A&M University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Christina Diaz, Barry University Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Rudolf Muradov, City University of New York – City College Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Abigail Dodson, University of Tennessee at Knoxville Society of American [...]

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” This quote can be applied to ROTC as well. It’s not always about commissioning and becoming a second lieutenant. in the United States Army. Sometimes what’s more important is the journey you took to get there.  Cadets Juancarlos Simmonds and Kayin Shabazz, both from Florida A&M University, decided to take a unique journey on their path to commissioning by attending Basic Camp this summer.  “My purpose for coming to camp was that I never had any experience with the military before,” Simmonds said. “I knew that whenever I come [...]

One dream, one team–– moving as a unit. Two companies of second regiment basic camp competed by platoon in a Drill and Ceremony Competition.  Drill and Ceremony is where Cadets are commanded by their platoon sergeant to step and perform in sync with precision. The drill sergeants judged based on how many of the 41 commands were performed correctly and together. Cadet Angel Teagle’s, a student at Elizabeth City State University, role in the competition was the platoon sergeant for Delta company super platoon. The team was made up of the most proficient Cadets at drill sequences from each platoon to [...]

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Keely Jones, University of North Carolina, Pembroke Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Jaylan Workman, University of North Georgia Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Elizabeth Glazener, Texas Christian University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Grant Schafer, North Dakota State University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Malia Kaakimakaifo, University of Honolulu Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Tae Kim, University of Texas at Austin Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Adrianne Williams, Georgia State University National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Justin Heyn, South Dakota State University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Apolline Vincent, University [...]

After completing the first 72 hours of their Field Training Exercise (FTX) and receiving a well-deserved refit day, Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, begin the next phase of their training by moving to a new area. Unlike the initial phase, Cadets must now plan and execute their missions with little to no assistance from the Cadre staff, and face new challenging simulations designed to create high levels of pressure and anxiety within the platoons to add to the realism of the training. “You got to learn how to manage, to be under stress and make good decisions or at least [...]

On the early morning on July 29, 2021, when the moon was still high in the sky above Fort Knox, Ky., the Cadets of 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp donned their rifles and rucksacks, strapped bright red safety lights to their heads and took to the vacant streets to complete a six-mile march of endurance. “This is a ruck march, this is to test their endurance, and to just make sure that they’re prepared to move themselves and their equipment across the battlefield if they have to,” said Capt. Harrison Coch, of the University of Wisconsin, Steven’s point. “They can expect to [...]

“Front Contact!” The squad barely has time to respond before hearing the whistle of incoming indirect-fire, followed by the punch of an explosion. As the plume of smoke rises in front of them, they all drop to the ground and scramble for cover. Luckily, they are prepared to handle this battle. Thinking quickly, they hurry to take different positions to cover their rear and flanks, shouting to keep communication the whole time. Returning fire, this squad is confident that their training has prepared them to win the fight. On the morning of July 27, 2021, 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets learned [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — When teenagers turn 16 in America, some parents go out of their way to make sure this day is a special one. Parties, limousine rides and expensive gifts are not a rare sight on this day. AnnaLee Reid’s Sweet 16 was just a little different. Reid, a Cadet from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, who attends Central Washington University, received a present that unknowingly started her on the road to become a U.S. Army Officer. “My parents for my 16 birthday took me out and taught me how to shoot a handgun,” said Reid.  “That was like the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — There is no doubt that the tactics modern troops use to move around the battlefield would surprise the early American Soldiers. Perhaps no other tactic would surprise them more than the concept of Fire and Maneuver. A squad tactic that involves the use of two elements, maneuver and fire support, Fire and Maneuver revolutionized the way wars are fought by replacing the rigid line-up tactics of the past with a dynamic approach that allows for movement, cover and concealment on the battlefield. On July 18, Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, learned how to apply this tactical [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — When Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived to Fort Knox, Ky., for their Cadet Summer Training (CST) their marksmanship skill levels were at different stages of development.  From previous service special forces Cadets to Cadets that have never touched a gun in their lives, Cadre must train them all to be proficient with the M4 rifle and for the new .40 Individual Weapons Qualification. “Every program has different assets in what they can deal and train with,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Kirkendall, a member from the training Cadre. “Cadets come in to CST who not [...]

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Scott Winchell, Auburn University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Jesus Rodriguez Ayala, University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Reserve Officers Association AwardCadet Zachary Hines, Austin Peay State University American Legion Commander’s AwardCadet Malka Trujillo, The University of Alabama AUSA Warrior Ethos AwardCadet William Montavon, The University of Alabama First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Grace Hofer, University of Pittsburgh Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Nicholas Darrow, University of Central Florida Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Marianna Aho, Gustavus Adolphus College Society of American Military Engineers AwardCadet Gabriela Lozada Lopez, Turabo [...]

For Cadets who joined ROTC during their sophomore or senior years, or college students looking to take a peek into the military, Cadet Summer Training (CST) prepares a 31-day Basic Camp to introduce them to the Army.   One of the tasks Cadets learn during this Basic Camp is the Buddy Land Navigation; a basic soldiering skill that trains them to use rudimentary tools to find their way in case their GPS or electronic communications fails them. “Doing it in an area that you’re familiar with such like a field at your school and doing it in the real wild are [...]

“Having our group of four with me really helped out because when one of us was getting down or one of us was getting frustrated we were able to hold each other accountable and keep the mission in mind,” Mendiola said.

DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Luke Vandenbergh, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Garrett Wood, Tarleton State University Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Grant Norman, The Citadel First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Lucas King, Lehigh University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Vlaun Samuels, University of West Florida Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Victoria Ann, Virginia Tech Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Alden Cayea, State University of New York at Brockport National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Carlito Ancheta, Norwich University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Jacob Blair, University of New Hampshire [...]

Entering the Kentucky wilderness, 3rd Regiment Basic Camp Cadets participated in Field Craft Training on July 21, 2021, where they learned tips and tricks for their upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX). Cadets first learned how to set up a patrol base, a temporary area with a security perimeter where Soldiers spend less than 24 hours and are assigned specific tasks. Patrol bases are typically used to eliminate movement in dangerous areas, to plan and issue orders, to account for weapons and equipment, and to eat and rest. Cadets practiced nonverbal communication cues and set up their security in a triangle pattern, [...]

corrected some of my forms, especially trigger squeeze,” Juhasz said. “A lot of times I get into a bad habit of trying to pull the trigger with my whole finger instead of just the tip of my finger. So having someone correct me on that even here at camp is a good way to learn and a good way to adapt to the environment.”

Cadets from 9th Regiment Advanced Camp attended chemistry class on July 21, 2021, except this time, the classroom was outdoors in the hot Kentucky summer, the professors were Cadre from across the U.S. Army, and the topic was CBRN: chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.  Starting off their morning, Cadets learned how to effectively react to these hazardous substances by donning their Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear in allotted timeframes. Most importantly, these future Army officers had to efficiently put their gas masks on in nine seconds or less.  “There is a possibility we could encounter it [CBRN] in the future,” said Gabe [...]

On the morning of July 21, 2021, the Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp were set loose in the forests of Fort Knox, Ky. with a map, a set of coordinates, and a time limit. “They’re somewhere in the woods—find them using plotted points,” said Cadet Orkhun Ismayil of Virginia Tech. “You’re given four, and you have to get at least three in four hours.” The four grid coordinates that were given to each Cadet corresponded to a real-world objective, which were comparatively small orange and white squares suspended about six feet above the ground on a street sign post. Each [...]

“Most people have a fear of heights,” Cadet Michael Cavil, from the University of South Florida, said. “Personally, my biggest fear is loud sounds. So for me my overcoming was range day.” 

Fort Knox, Ky., —  Throughout Cadet Summer Training, Cadets learn the meaning of being a Soldier and a leader by exposing themselves every day to new experiences that help them grow. They conquer fears on the Rappel Tower, they develop confidence during Land Navigation and they learn to trust their equipment during the Confidence Chamber.   By the time Cadets arrive at the Field Training Exercise (FTX) their Regiments are a well-oiled machine that is ready to showcase the things they have learned throughout camp, but before they can do that, they must learn one final lesson: How to work with each [...]

Fort Knox, Ky., — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, received a motivational boost from Gen. Paul E. Funk II during his visit to their Field Training Exercise (FTX) at AO Wolverine on July 19. “I was busy writing my OPORD (Operations Order) and I started looking up and I counted one, two, three, four stars on the chest and I was like ‘oh my God, we have a general out here,’” said Cadet Danny Yim, UC Berkeley.  Funk, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, shared with Cadets a moment of comradery and expressed his gratitude [...]

Trudging through the mud and ducking under thick branches, the Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp spent the morning of July 18, 2021 in the forests of Fort Knox, Ky. doing their Buddy Team Land Navigation training. The purpose: teaching Basic Camp Cadets how to use maps, compasses, and other simple objects to find precise locations in rough, off-road terrain. Cadets were sent out in small teams with the objective of finding pre-placed posts hidden in the forest, marking the locations, and returning to base camp for evaluation within a limited time frame. 2nd Regiment took this training with a fair [...]

Cadets from 11th Regiment Advanced Camp put their lifesaving skills to the test during Warrior Skills training on July 16, 2021. They learned Call for Fire and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), two important sets of skills that could potentially save their battle buddies’ lives. Call for Fire involves suppression of the enemy by indirect fire from field artillery using a radio and target location descriptions to pinpoint the area. Cadets find the location on a map and go through a series of steps communicating messages clearly and quickly with the field artillery unit when soldiers on the ground are unable [...]

“When I first came to the United States, the first people that helped me through were veterans,” Tway said. “My English teacher, my mentor and my coaches were all veterans and I still keep in touch with every single one of them and they’re the reason why I joined [the Army].”