FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Tori Richison, a student at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, says she feels well-prepared for the mission that’s sure to be a challenge: land navigation. “It’s a little nerve-wracking just because you’re on your own, and it’s at night, too,” the Osceola, Wisconsin native said. Richison, along with the other Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, is required to successfully navigate alone from one location to another through the daunting, critter-infested forests of rural Fort Knox. She says knowing how to physically lead through any type of terrain is “very important.” “As a platoon leader, […]

FORT KNOX, KY—Over the course of two days, Advanced Camp 10th Regiment learned how to overcome obstacles with their squads and how to assess leadership in each other at the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC). FLRC is a low elevation obstacle course designed to help squads form bonds of trust, develop communication, and determine each other’s leadership skills and style. Cadets have to form a plan to get items across the objectives within a time limit of 25 minutes. “Our goal is to build team cohesion and learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses so when we get in the field for […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, executed squad battle drills in Training Area 12, July 18, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Squad battle drills are simulated scenarios with specific objectives created to test Cadets in many different ways such as leadership capabilities, movement techniques, and tactical engagement performances. The first iteration was done at a ‘crawl’ pace. This is where Cadre led Cadets through step by step in objectives. The second iteration of squad battle drills was a movement to contact drill. “The training we just completed was a react to contact lane. What […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Keeping them in the running for the RECONDO badge, three Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp qualified expert on their M4 carbine at George Blair Range. Cadet Christian Nelson explained how qualification works. “Out here we were qualifying with an M4 rifle on the marksmanship range,” said Nelson, “We have pop up targets out here. If you’re not going for RECONDO you have two chances at this. After that you go to an Alternate Qualification course. For RECONDO, they have four other tries after that.” Weapons qualification is an event that has seemed to knock many Cadets […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets practiced land navigation at Assembly Area Baker, July 17, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Land navigation is a vital skill for Cadets and Cadre alike. Armed with a protractor, compass and map, Cadets must locate key points, plot a course to those points and successfully navigate to them. “We get a map, a protractor and a compass. Then, we plot the points with our protractor. Then you have to find the distance and navigate your way through the woods, find the different points to make sure you […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –Advanced Camp 9th Regiment Cadets learned the fundamentals of Preliminary Marksmanship Instructions (PMI) July 16, during the annual Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets learn the fundamentals of shooting the Army’s M4 Carbine. Three stations were set up for the Cadets to cycle through, teaching them basic rifle marksmanship skills. “We split them up into three platoons, 1st platoon goes to positions and fundamentals, 2nd platoon goes to ballistics, trajectory and minute of angle and 3rd platoon goes to maintenance,” said Specialist Ronnie Cummings, 3rd Calvary Regiment. “Throughout the afternoon the platoons will rotate through […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Cadets of 8th Regiment, Basic Camp embraced their uniformity while learning the Army drill and ceremony. To be in the Army means to adopt discipline and order – two words that come to mind when thinking of drill and ceremony. Uniformity is a convention of the military, and the Cadets learn the significance of it only a few days into training. Cadet Shamar Johnson noted, “The importance of these things is for us to be able to march together as one team.” Johnson, an MS3 Trainer having already been through Basic and Advanced Camp, along with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Thirty-one days of rigorous, stress-inducing and physically demanding training has come to an end for the nearly five hundred Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced Camp on July 15. Through the countless miles rucked, the sleepless nights in the field and the obstacles they’ve had to face these past few weeks, the Cadets of Fifth Regiment ended their time here at CST just as it had began: together. “Today everything came together,” said Cadet Andrew Vanderweele, The Pennsylvania State University. “There are lots of happy faces here.” Cadet Vanderweele was the recipient of the ApexTech Warrior Award, which […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp, 7th Regiment Cadets took on their second day in the STX Lanes, in a Cadre lead ambush against OPFOR (Opposing Forces) for their training at Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. The Situational Tactical Exercise or STX Lanes are a series of four lanes that are staged into different scenarios to help the Cadets learn. The four lanes have different scenarios, Raid and Recon, Ambush, Movement to Contact, and a lane that combines all three of those scenarios that the Cadets must go through. As it is the second day of their STX lane […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, was educated and tested on Call For Fire techniques, July 13, at Fort Knox during Cadet Summer Training. Some of the learning objectives for CFF training include: describe and learn the call for fire format, execute virtual call for fire mission, report battle damage assessment. Cadets learned the six elements involved in CFF which include: observer identification, warning order, target location, target description, method of engagement, method of fire and control. “They get a basic PowerPoint on the format for call for fire, how to make corrections, and then they’ll […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets woke up early to execute a six-mile ruck march, July 14, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. This was to prepare Cadets for the pass/fail 12-mile ruck march in a few weeks. “It’s important for our training so we can build ourselves up to the point where we can do 12 miles. We’re trying to make sure that everyone starts off with a good baseline,” said Cadet Samantha Frank, Texas A&M, Springbranch, Texas. “A lot of people from different schools don’t have hills like they do here in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Eighth Regiment, Advanced Camp suited up in full MOPP4 gear, grabbed tightly to the shoulder of the Cadet in front of them and braced for impact at the CS Chamber on July 14. The CS chamber is an exercise Cadets must pass through in order to fulfill their CBRN requirement. CBRN, which stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, is a part of Cadet Summer Training that helps to foster Cadets’ confidence in their gear. “The intent of CBRN is to build confidence in our abilities and our gear,” said Cadet Zachary Stuart, Texas Christian […]

by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Arriving as strangers, Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) on day two of Cadet Summer Training (CST) to learn about each other, build teamwork and create bonds that will last through the rest of training. Cadets of Charlie Company, 2nd platoon, first squad set themselves apart from others by hitting each obstacle as if they had known each other forever, operating with communication and adaptability; not to mention fast completion times. Cadet Amber Rose, University of New Mexico, said getting the job done no matter what isn’t the […]

By Lindsey Crown Cadet Sha’quetah Bailey has a crippling fear of heights. It all started when she was younger and almost slipped out of a roller coaster at the North Carolina State Fair. “I still get jitterbugs from it,” Bailey said, Elizabeth City State University,. Maj. Gen. Christopher Hughes asked Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp what their greatest fears were during a meeting, she said. Hughes identified with Bailey when she said she had a fear of heights. So much so that he said he’d take on the high ropes course with her – a task that they must complete […]

FORT KNOX, KY—44th Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, visited Cadet Summer training on July 12. Lt. Gen. West gave a speech to Cadets and held a question and answer session prior to her speech. Cadets silently file into Olive Theater on a humid Wednesday afternoon at Fort Knox. They take their seats and await the arrival of the 44th Army Surgeon General, Lt. General Nadja West. General West is introduced, and everyone stands as she enters the theater. “Where’s Alpha Company?” General West asks as she makes her way to the podium on the stage. Alpha Company responds with […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, entered Hill Hall at Fort Knox, July 11, to attend branch round tables. This event was held for Cadets to explore the different branches in the Army in a more personal setting. Cadre with years of experience in each of the branch came and spoke to Cadets about available opportunities. “They’re going through the different branches prior to them making their choice on August 21 to see which branches they like, maybe don’t like, and some that may interest them or that they didn’t know about,” explained Capt. Shevez Freeman, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – What do you call getting woken up bright and early to navigate difficult terrain in order to successfully complete Advanced Camp? For Seventh Regiment, Advanced Camp, this is called just another day in paradise. Cadets spent the morning of July 11 completing their Land Navigation test, a must-pass requirement for Cadet Summer Training, with simply a map, compass and their intuition to guide the way – no Google Maps allowed. “Yesterday we completed the written portion of the land navigation test,” said Cadet Janine Donnelly, Washington State University. “The written part tested how well we do with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 5th Regiment rappelled into confidence, July 12, on the Rappel tower/ Confidence Course during their final days before they graduate from Advanced Camp at Fort Knox. Cadets learn how to rappel down a 64-foot tower. They make their own harness from rope, they then move onto the slanted wall and just get the movements down and to figure out which hand will be the break hand and which hand is the guide hand. The Cadets must go down two different sides; one side is with a wall that goes 64 foot straight up wall side […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — The Cadets of 8th Regiment Advanced Camp spent their morning learning the fundamentals of marksmanship. The Cadre overseeing the Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) had three stations set up for the Cadets – positions and fundamentals, assembly/disassembly and weapons maintenance, and Minute of Angle (MOA). In each of these stations, the Cadets spent about an hour learning all they would need to know about their weapons. “[This teaches them] how to get in good steady positions and utilize all the little things like trigger squeeze, breathing and all that stuff in order to improve their shot groups,” said […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived at Assembly Area Baker, July 10, to complete their written land navigation test during Cadet Summer Training. Land navigation involves reading a physical map and being able to navigate terrain without technology, using compasses and protractors. “The written test demonstrates their knowledge of terrain features, distance and direction on a map, the difference between grid north, magnetic north and true north,” said Capt. Ron Gooding. Cadets spent the morning studying and reviewing information before their exam. While waiting, Cadre answered questions and coached Cadets in improvised areas. Areas of […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 592 Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training on July 10, 2017 in the 4th Regiment of Advanced Camp. Col. McRae had a few simple takeaways for the Cadets – listen, learn and lead – his three L’s. “First, listen. Communication is key in our line of work and it all starts with listening. It’ll build trust in your organization and create a positive, transparent unit climate,” said McRae. A sense of trust and a positive climate were seen throughout 4th Regiment’s time in Advanced Camp. “Trust equipment. Trust your teammates. Just trust everything around you,” said Cadet […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced camp spent their evening exploring the different branches the U.S. Army has to offer at Branch Orientation on Sunday, July 10. Branch orientation slightly resembles a career fair, where men and women with years of service in a specific field come and speak about their experience and what Cadets can expect, should they choose to go a certain route. However, where traditional job fairs are usually held in convention centers with rows of employers asking, “do you think you have what it takes?” branch orientation is devised into a three-hour rotation period […]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky., – Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp tackled the challenges of the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) on Fort Knox, Ky., July 9 in search of building trust among teammates. FLRC consists of 12 obstacles, all with varying levels of difficulty, designed to build teamwork and trust among participants. Obstacle number five, the destroyed bridge, has a record of stumping Cadets by its seemingly easy appearance. Destroyed Bridge supervisor, Sgt. Jose Montoya, 399th of Fort Knox, says the obstacle is harder than it looks. Cadet Jackson Baker, the Citadel, N.C., played a key role in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- One hundred and forty-two Cadets of Bravo Company, 7th Regiment Advanced Camp, complete Qualification at the weapon range in Fort Knox, Ky. It is extremely vital to pass qualification during Cadet Summer Training. Not only does the Cadet need to graduate with this but they also need to know how to shoot when in combat situations. “It’s pretty vital, because your Cadets are your future officers and you want them to qualify with basic Soldiers skills,” said 2nd Lt. Melissa Churchill, Lewis University. Cadets are required to hit 23 pop-up targets out of 40 to qualify. If they […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 8th Regiment Cadets reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, July 6, for their training on becoming future leaders in the U.S. Army. Cadets go through in processing when they arrive at the pit. The Cadets “get off the bus that transported them from Louisville International Airport, they line up standing at parade rest while they receive a short brief from the cadre about what is expected of them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Justin Butler, University of Southern Maine.“Cadets are then broken down into their companies once we have a 100 percent accountability. When they get into […]