FORT KNOX, Ky. – Into the field they go. 7th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets are executing battle tactics out in the wilderness of Fort Knox as part of their field training exercises July 28. Cadet Micah Griffith, a Citadel student and a resident of Saluda, South Carolina, says the purpose of the field training exercise is to give Cadets a sense of what it’s like to conduct actual mission operations against enemy units.   “It gives us an idea of what we’re supposed to be doing,” Griffith shared.   Cadet Michael Vilker of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign says it’s […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets executed their Individual Task Testing, July 28, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. ITT is a course evaluation where Cadets take their culminated knowledge from training and apply it to a practical, real-life situation. “The ITT testing we’re doing today is basically a check on knowledge to say, ‘hey, for the last week and a half, you all have been learning these things. Now that we give you a scenario, a real world scenario, can you apply the knowledge that you’ve learned and use them like building blocks’,” […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of 8th Regiment, Basic Camp erupted in cheers and applause as their peers raced through demanding obstacles out at Beaudoin Obstacle Course July 27.   Making the obstacle course a competition cultivates a deeper sense of motivation and teamwork for the Cadets, according to 2nd Lt. Kevan Bjornson of Canton, Ohio. “Our focus for Alpha Company has been team-building and getting them ready to go out into the field.  They’ve been working really hard, and this is fun.  This gives them a break and gives them some time to run around in the woods without the […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second lieutenants, working as Cadre for 6th Regiment, Basic Camp, arrived at the Central Issuing Facility, July 27, to turn in equipment and gear during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Gear is issued to Cadre and Cadets alike to make sure that they are taken care of while out in the field training. “We got to turn in our gear that we used during camp. We basically had to take all of our gear that we used such as our rucksacks and assault pack, cleaned them up and make sure it was clean […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadet Summer Training (CST) came to an end for the General Carl W. Stiner Regiment, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, with nine Reconnaissance Commando (RECONDO) awards; the most of any regiment to date. The RECONDO award is given to Cadets who scored a 90% or higher in all pass-required events such as land navigation, marksmanship and the field training exercise. Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. James (Boe) Young, Commanding General of 75th Training Command, Houston, TX., addressed Cadets not only as an officer with over 30 years of experience, but as a father to graduating Cadet Elizabeth […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – “Incoming!” When Cadets hear that, they know to immediately repeat the message to warn their peers around them and hit the ground in a covered position.  Seconds after, several loud and booming bangs are simulated through speakers to represent an enemy artillery round. They then return to the mission at hand once they hear, “All clear!” The simulation helps the Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp remember to focus on everything going on in their surroundings, helping them to maintain situational awareness while implementing individual movement techniques (IMTs) to move from one end of the terrain to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – By now, most Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp, know that Cadet Summer Training is no walk in the park. But how about a walk on rope ladder suspended almost 25 feet or higher in the air? With their bright red safety helmets strapped around their chins and harnesses secured tightly around their waists, Cadets from 5th Regiment faced their fears at the Forest Hills Confidence Course on July 26. “A lot of the Cadets that come out here have a fear of heights, which translates into a fear of falling,” said Sgt. 1st Class Barry Ray. […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed Field Training Exercises, July 25, during Cadet Summer training at Fort Knox. FTX is training done out in the field where Cadets spend eight days running drills and employing their culminated knowledge to develop leadership skills. “So, over the last eight days, they’ve been out in the field working on platoon small unit tactics against a pretty aggressive bad guy out there. They got a lot of good training in small unit tactics and it enabled the Cadre to evaluate their leadership potential,” said Lt. Col. Joel Thomas. […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets zeroed and qualified with their M16 rifles at Canby Hill Range, July 24, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. At this course, Cadets used live rounds to practice firing at paper targets, which simulate varying distances from 50 meters to 300 meters. “They’re going through basic marksmanship instruction. For a lot of Cadets, it’s the first time they’ve ever shot a weapon. First, they have to zero the weapon. So, get a couple rounds close together on the target where they’re aiming. Then they’re going to qualify, where […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – It came as a surprise when someone told her chaplains are the unicorns of the Army. After sitting and thinking it over, however, Chaplain Candidate 1st Lt. Florence Moss says she came to agree with the peculiar statement. “For one, they’re not that many of us. We have a shortage,” Moss said, and as one of the only female chaplain candidates here supporting Cadet Summer Training (CST), the scarcity of Army chaplains emboldens her to meet the spiritual needs of the Army’s workforce. “We are courageous enough to say, ‘I see my fellow Soldier hurting or in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets were in for a treat when the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, Jenean Hampton, paid a special visit to Fort Knox July 21.   She was accompanied by her chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, the executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, and two interns studying political science.    Hampton’s visit began with a trip to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber where Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp were learning how to trust their equipment during the gas mask confidence course. During the stop, Cadets asked questions spanning an array […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 6th Regiment along with Basic Camp 5th Regiment attended the ROTC Cadet Summer Leadership Training, July 24, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Commanding General of TRADOC David G. Perkins spoke to Cadets throughout the day by going to different training areas they were at. He then gave an inspiring speech at Olive Theater, Fort Knox, Kentucky; to the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp and 5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets about how he obtained his four stars through leadership. “He explained how TRADOC worked and what his general function within our lines was,” said Cadet Cameron DeLaigle, Texas A&M, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet William Binning of Texas A&M University says being out in the field for about 14 days has taken a toll on everyone in his platoon. “People are tired.  It’s hard to motivate them.  People are hot and exhausted from the lack of sleep and running around everywhere,” he expressed.    After rigorous days of conducting battle exercises in the wooded forests of Fort Knox, however, an exhausted Cadet Binning and the other Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, received an encouraging morale boost from Gen. David G. Perkins, Commanding General of United States Army Training and […]

FORT KNOX, KY—10th Regiment Advanced Camp completed CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) training at the CBRN chamber. Cadets begin their CBRN training by first being trained on how to put on their MOP gear. MOPP (mission oriented protective posture) gear consists of rubber gloves and boots, a jacket, pants, and a mask. Cadets have to be able to successfully get their mask on in less than eight seconds, and all of their MOPP gear in less than eight minutes before entering the chamber. “CBRN is used to simulate engaging an enemy in a chemical warfare situation,” said Cadet Devante Spears, Central […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed their 12-mile ruck march test, July 21, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. The goal is to complete the 12-mile ruck march under four hours. For RECONDO candidates, it must be completed under three hours. “We completed a 12-mile ruck march with a minimum 35-pound ruck. Some Cadets had more or less. That was up to them. The minimum requirement was 35 pounds. I rucked with 40,” said Cadet Jacob Roberts, Florida State University, Tampa, Fla. “The Army standard for these ruck marches is typically 35. That’s […]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are nearing the end of camp with just equipment turn-in and Family Day to go; but before swinging into graduation, they had to conquer their last event: the confidence course and rappel tower. The 64-foot rappel tower consists of a wall side rappel and a free rappel. Cadets go off both sides of the tower not only to learn rappelling technique but to test their confidence and trust in their equipment and Cadre. Cadet Torrence Hass, Colorado State University, Co., said he was nervous all morning in anticipation. “I’m afraid […]

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. – Cadets from Advanced Camp 9th Regiment headed to George Blair Shooting Range for weapon qualification, July 17, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. The day before qualification the Cadets go through Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) to help them hold the weapon, know the parts of the weapon, and the different positions they will be shooting from. “I do believe that PMI prepared me for today, it just goes over the basic fundamentals that every shooter needs to become a great shooter, said Cadet Jared Neeb, University of Louisiana in Lafayette, from New Orleans, La Weapon […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, KY.,- Cadets of 9th Regiment Advanced Camp cleared their sinuses at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber on Fort Knox, Ky., July 19. Cadets were first trained in proper care and use of gas masks and mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear. In order to be properly equipped and ready, they must be able to put on their gear and seal their mask in eight minutes or less. After their gear is secured, it’s time to go through the chamber. “My face was on fire, my lungs were on fire, I wanted to breathe […]

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 […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets executed Alt-C weapons qualification at Canby Hill Range, July 19, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Cadets worked to qualify by zeroing and grouping the M16 rifle in the controlled setting of the Alt-C course. “Zero involves getting your weapon aimed down sites the right way. Grouping is to make sure that they get a certain amount of shots within a certain area so that they’re consistent in their aiming,” stated 2nd Lt. Justin Atkins, graduate of University of California, Riverside. Cadets practiced these two skills by firing […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – On July 19, the Cadets of 7th Regiment Basic Camp learned to disassemble, clean and fire their standard issue M16 rifles. For many Cadets this was their first time even holding a rifle. To help Cadets become comfortable with their rifles, cadre personnel demonstrated rifle field-stripping, proper shooting form, and introduced acronyms to help Cadets remember the fundamentals of marksmanship. After becoming familiar with their rifles, the Cadets were brought to the firing line to demonstrate what they learned by sighting-in, or ‘zeroing’ their rifles prior to attempting Alt-C Qualification. Since it was their first exposure to […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp endured high heat indexes to learn squad battle drill tactics in preparation for their Field Leader Training Exercise (FTX) coming up in less than a week. Cadets of Advanced Camp will be returning to their universities as military science level fours and will be commissioning as Second Lieutenants when they graduate. Important for each, the ability to lead by example and tell their soldiers or fellow students they ‘why’ of training and preparation. Cadet Dustin Harper, Augusta University, GA., explained squad battle drills. “We’re out here practicing Squad Battle […]

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 […]