[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-V1GG4RuU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY.— “Coming in I thought that everything was very black and white, but the real world is not that way. Things change, plans change and it really allows you to adapt and be a versatile leader,” said Cadet Nina Carter, from the University of North Georgia, who served as the platoon leader during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) lane. On July 30, 2019, 9th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets had to deal with plans changing during a raid mission. Things changed due to a possible weather threat, and Cadets were unable to complete a leader’s recon the night […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbzx06Nyz9U[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Basic Camp spent the early morning hours at Morgan Riley Range zeroing their sights and practicing their marksmanship skills. Prior to today, the Cadets were in the classroom studying marksmanship basics and how to safely use their M4 Carbines during their primary marksmanship training (PMI). However, for many of the Cadets in Basic Camp this was the first time they had ever handled an M4 Carbine or shot a weapon at all. “It was all just brand new to me,” Cadet Daryl Urbina, a student at the University of Central Florida, […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOqCY8yYSSA[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets conducted a Field Training Exercise (FTX) July 29, during Cadet Summer Training. An FTX is the most crucial aspect of a training cycle. This event is the assessment phase of training and allows the instructors to see what their trainees have learned. MS3 Leader Trainer (Cadre) Dakota DeSantis, from Saint Louis University, said, “This training is important to give them a little taste of what Cadet Summer Training is like and what Advance Camp is going to be like.” Cadets will conduct movement to contact, engage in attacks on opposition […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – “When you run alone you run fast. But when you run together, you run far.” This African proverb was shard with Cadets during their time in Botswana with the Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP). Cadets spent 20 days traveling through the country while engaging with the Botswana Defense Forces (BDF), completing humanitarian work, and enhancing their understanding of another culture. During the trip the group had multiple key leader engagements. A key leader engagement is when a United States Army Officer meets with an official of a local village or a village elder. The Cadets enjoyed the […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky. — 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets attended Branch Orientation at Keyes Park July 30 during Cadet Summer Training. “We are at Branch Day. So, we are getting an opportunity to visit with representatives from each of the basic branches that we may choose or put on our lists after we commission,” said Cadet Karen Yurek, Queens University of Charlotte. Master Sgt. Christopher Parker, Senior Military Instructor at Florida International University, explained that Cadets have a certain number of branches they must visit. “They’ll have nine rotations in which two of the rotations they must visit the Reserve […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CCo5MyOXPc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. –  Advanced Camp Cadets of 11th Regiment reviewed their platoon standard operating procedures (SOPs) in preparation for their upcoming field training exercise (FTX), July 30.  According to Army Training Publication 3-90.90, an SOP provides the instructions for performing an operating procedure, which is an approved process to complete a complex task. “An SOP details how, when, and why we move during a mission,” said Cadet Braxton McDuffie attending The Citadel. “Reviewing SOPs ensures that everyone is on the same page. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s ‘aha’ moment.” Every Army unit has its own SOP that […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtJ5chAPwDY[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – With 35 pounds on their back, camouflage on their faces and the dark morning sky above them, 10th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets foot marched eight miles to TAA Densberger to prepare for their next field training exercise (FTX) lane.  On this particular movement, Cadets silently marched in two columns in what is known as a tactical formation to prepare them for combat situations after they commission.  “During a tactical formation, we avoid enemy detection by remaining silent,” said Cadet Brandon Piccinini, attending Auburn University. “We also don’t wear lights so that we can maintain stealth […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed squad battle drill training today, to prepare for their Field Training Exercise (FTX) that begins tomorrow. Squad battle drills are the first time Cadets conduct platoon-level tactics together as one unit. It gives them the chance to iron out issues, develop their platoon identity and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs). Missouri State University Cadet Sierra Goslee, and her platoon, struggled during the training. “It was rough because it was our first time working all together as a platoon to actually do a platoon attack,” Goslee said. They have only been […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89gs6l6cV64[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — On July 29, another regiment entered their final stage of the lengthy Field Training Exercises (FTX). 9th Regiment completed their first lane of AO Grizzly, which is the most challenging phase of the FTX due to the lack of Cadre assistance. However, this doesn’t mean the Cadre were just standing around. They were filling out Blue Cards, which is the Army’s way of evaluating Cadets. “Today we are watching key leadership, which is Platoon Leader (PL) and Platoon Sergeant (PSG),” 2nd Lt. Zane Knight, a Cadre member out of Campbell University, said. “Mainly, we are […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Obstacle Courses can bring out the best and worst in people. It definitely gives Basic Camp Cadets the opportunity to practice leadership and teamwork. Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp spent today going through the Dunagan Team Development Course at Fort Knox. “Today has been awesome,” Cadet Thais Rodriguez, from Puerto Rico, and attending the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, said. “We started a little bit rough, but it always starts rough and you get better.” As they maneuvered their way through the obstacles Cadets started noticing some struggles. “One of my biggest struggles so far […]

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=f_j_mJJwRlE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX – 11th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets’ confidence and teamwork were put to the test as they climbed, crawled and weaved their way through the confidence course, July 27. Today marked the last iteration of training on the course for Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2019. “After the Cadets complete their training here today, we [Cadre] put everything away until next summer,” said Sgt. Frank Marscelli from San Diego State University. Staff Sgt. Mark Minnmann, a reservist stationed at Fort Knox, said that being a CST instructor had been a fun experience. “I am used to working with call […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Basic Camp Cadets from 2nd Regiment spent their last morning celebrating their successful completion of Cadet Summer Training at Brooks Field. “You will fondly remember your squad leaders and team members who helped you succeed here at Fort Knox, while you battled the ticks, the bugs and probably even the occasional snake,” said Maj. Gen. Donna Martin. Martin is the commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, and was the guest speaker during the graduation. When Cadets arrived 26 June, many of them had no military experience and after 31 days […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Many Cadets join the military to carry on the family legacy. One such cadet is Ian House. House’s family history with the military goes back to the Revolutionary War and currently extends to his father and brother who are serving in the Navy. “My dad served for 21 years, my brother is serving right now and I’m here serving,” the Snohomish, Washington native said. For a majority House’s life, his father was a Naval Aviator, but for all of his life he has been a part of the military family. This wasn’t the only reason for his […]

Cadets from colleges across the United States have the opportunity to travel to foreign countries and immerse themselves into the culture while becoming familiar with different military training. The Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP), formally known as the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CULP), has been described as a “paid vacation” by some, but these Cadets quickly dispel this notion. Thirty-one Cadets spent twenty-one days in Malawi, while another twenty-one Cadets spent twenty-four days in Romania. Each Cadet left the U.S. with impressions of the foreign land and excitement for cultural day trips; however, they returned with a completely different outlook. […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – The only noises that could be heard this morning from the woods of AO Panther, were the chirping and humming of birds and bugs. And machine guns, as the raid began. Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp spent the morning conducting a raid during the Panther portion of their Field Training Exercise (FTX). During the FTX Cadets have the opportunity to rotate through various leadership roles while being assessed by Cadre. Some of those roles included Platoon Leader (PL), Platoon Sergeant (PSG), Squad Leader, and Team Leader. Platoon Leader Cadet Aedon Hann, from the University of New […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky. — 5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets learned how to group and zero their M-4 rifles at Morgan Riley Range July 26 during Cadet Summer Training. “We started with grouping and zeroing. Grouping is just get all of your shots to be together in a little group – hence grouping. Zeroing is just trying to get them as close to the center of the target as possible,” explained Cadet Gregory Cottrell, Virginia Commonwealth University. When explaining what group and zero was, Cadets created a few different similes. One Cadet found that group and zero could be explained in […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thu-lnDCoWg[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — With graduation growing ever closer, Cadets spent today, July 26, 2019, learning about where they will be going once they receive their commission. Branch Orientation allows Cadets an opportunity to ask questions and learn all they can about their preferred branches. However, if they want to branch out and learn about others groups in the Army, they are more than welcome to explore to find new interests. Cadet Miurel Hamburger, of Miami, Florida, came to today’s training with a whole host of questions about her preferred branch and was able to find out all […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5KUD3y6KpE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX Ky. — Cadets of the 11th Regiment Advanced Camp completed hand grenade training July 25th. An instructional trend in the Army is ‘crawl, walk, run’: a model that allows trainees (or in this case Cadets) to follow along as an instructor does a task, then to do the task themselves with guidance from the instructor, and finally to do the task with minimal supervision. “If you just walk up to someone and give them a hand grenade, they’re not going to know how to use it,” Cadet Michael Johnson of Virginia Tech said. “They’re going to look […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TczHHkkbvo[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. – 5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets conducted training on the First Aid techniques July 25 during Cadet Summer Training. 5th Regiment Cadets learned Combat Life Saving (CLS) techniques and first aid. These skills taught today makes the Cadets take another step towards becoming a professional Soldier. Furthermore, as stated by the lane Cadre, this training saves lives and is almost more important than any other training. Cadets are instructed at different stations and rotate to new stations to be tested or receive more instruction in order to ensure the lesson has been understood. This training […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets progressed through training as they were introduced to Small Unit Tactics July 25 at Mill Creek Range during Cadet Summer Training. “We just went through the IMT lanes (Individual Movement Tactics) that’s basically you moving in the buddy system. The first buddy is supposed to yell out ‘Cover me while I move,’” explained Cadet Tanner Delphin, Northwestern State University. “They move and the other buddy is supposed to simulate cover fire and once that first buddy who moved is set, they’ll say ‘Set.’ Then the buddy who was laying down cover fire […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_BTtQ–NpQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — On July 24, 4th Regiment Basic Camp Cadets practiced their teamwork and leadership skills at the Dunagan Team Development Course (TDC), where six unique obstacles required them to think outside the box to find solutions. Similar to the Field Leaders Reaction Course (FLRC) at Advanced Camp, these objectives are impossible to complete alone. Cadets were briefed on the situation at hand, were given a few materials (such as wooden boards and ropes) to work with, and typically had to transport the team from one side of the obstacle to the other without touching any forbidden […]

[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, […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxTzYEbCwE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – After a long and tasking 37 days, Cadets of the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, graduated this morning, July 24. Advanced Camp puts MS3 (Military Science level 3) Cadets through over a month of trials and challenges that they are graded on. From the tactical to the instinctive, all skills are honed and then tested. Cadets are trained in Basic Rifle Marksmanship, physical fitness, land navigation, first aid and other events to build resiliency. Three Things  Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command and the guest speaker for this morning’s […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIe2y_IRcbQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Throughout Cadet Summer Training, Shower and Laundry Specialists from Puerto Rico standby to provide warm showers and clean laundry for Cadets who are training in the field. For many of the specialists, this summer is their first time at Fort Knox. The nature of Cadet Summer Training (CST) operations provides a unique experience for them as their mission is uninterrupted by tactical operations. “We have had assignments in places where we needed to have security,” said 1st Lt. Bianca Viruet, referring to combat deployments the 430th Quartermaster Co. participated in over the years. “Tactical situations […]