FORT KNOX, Ky. – Basic Camp Cadets kicked off the first Land Navigation of the summer, on June 6.   The Land Navigation course is designed to train Cadets on how to Navigate from one point to another using just a map, compass and protractor. The Cadets teamed up in to teams of two and headed out. The Cadets have four hours to find four key points that are located within the perimeters of the course. Cadets are graded on how may points they located. One point for every location they find. Cadets need at least three of the four to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp finish their weapon qualification at Fort Knox, Kentucky June 6. According to the Cadre at the site, the number of Cadets qualified at the practice range amazed them. Only 14 Cadets needed to reshoot for qualification to pass the camp. Cadets were given a pep talk by the trained Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) prior to going past the firing line, on how to shoot the proper way. “Concentrate on what you’re going to do behind the weapon,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Baeza, 4th Squad 3rd Cadre Regiment (4CR). Baeza expressed […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – Potential Ranger candidates gathered at Fort Knox, Kentucky on June 4 to complete a voluntary, preliminary Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT) to see not only what they excel at, but also what needs improvement. There are several tasks that the candidates must complete. Candidates are tested on how many push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups they could do in two minutes. The candidates also had to complete a five-mile run in less than 40 minutes to qualify. “What we’re doing here to day is giving them a shot at trying it out, seeing how it goes […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp starts their first day at the George Blair weapon range June 5 in Fort Knox, Ky. In order to pass Advanced Camp, Cadets must qualify at marksmanship. “The purpose of knowing how to shoot your (rifle) is mainly about being able to protect yourself and your brothers and sisters around you. Be able to accurately acquire a target that’s down range, being able to lock onto it, and be able to pull the trigger to take down the target,” said Cadet Christian Burke, University of Akron, Cleveland, OH. Prior to going past the […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets finished the Team Development Course (TDC) at Fort Knox on June 4. “We did a lot of team building within our platoon, especially with our squads,” said Cadet Alexis Fitzgerald of Bravo Company First Platoon from Princeton University. “We were able to work together and become a cohesive unit.” Cadets went through multiple obstacles as a squad to develop their teamwork and leadership skills. “By presenting a problem to the squad in the form of an obstacle, one person cannot do it by themselves,” said cadre member Sgt. 1st Class William Richards from West Virginia University. […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – The First Regiment Cadets, Advanced Camp, completed the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear, CBRN, training on June 2 during Cadet Summer Training, CST. CBRN is training where the Cadets are exposed to Corson Stoughton, CS, gas. CS gas, commonly known as tear gas, causes certain symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, some difficulty breathing and, in some extreme cases, vomiting. This training is required by all Soldiers of the Army. “The CS chamber is a basic level task that every Soldier has to conduct in the Army. It’s the same as taking a PT […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Day 10 of Basic Camp, Bravo Company worked on Single Channel Ground and Radio Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS)  to know how to communicate via FM radio.   “[FM Communication Training] is a very useful skill to have, being able to operate a radio. You know, we live in a day and age where cell phones and technology and stuff like that. [If] that stops working [radio] will be our only option,” said Cadet Kenneth Luker, Troy University, from Mobile, Al.   Cadets were escorted into a room with six tables that had six bags. Within each bag, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Day nine of Basic Camp for First Regiment Cadets, they are taught how to work as a team for the first time on June 3rd in Fort Knox, Ky.   The Team Development Course is an obstacle course with six different events where Cadets are to finish each event in thirty minutes.   “It’s all [the] parts of teamwork, communication, sharing ideas, understanding new ideas, and above all we assign squad leaders who are MSI (Military Science Level I) people who have never been in charge of people before and make them come with ideas and make […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets went through the Land Navigation Course portion of their Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox on June 1. “They just go out there with a map, compass and protractor,” said cadre member 2nd Lt. Victoria Tobitt. “It’s old school, and they go out there to find the points.” The course began at 4 a.m. and concluded at 9 a.m. Cadets had to locate at least four of the six points from their map without the use of modern technology. “GPS isn’t always going to be reliable,” Tobitt said. “If God forbid your electricity goes down, you […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – Cadets completed their Call for Fire Training (CFFT) using virtual simulators on June 1. “From the old days, we didn’t have computers then or the virtual aspect of the training that we have now,” said cadre member Master Sgt. Glenn Hance. “So, it’s much more effective now and much more real life.” CFFT teaches cadets how to identify their location on a map, locate enemy forces and call for a fire mission. “It’s important to know this so that number one they don’t call artillery on themselves or their own position,” Hance said. “Number two, they can […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Day eight of Basic camp for 1st Regiment Alpha Company; Cadets are taught the basics of how to handle their weapon.   Prior to learning how to dismantle their weapons, Cadets are given M16 Rifle and they sign receipt documents to say they received the weapon.   “[The document] Details what equipment you have received, so you basically sign off to say you have received it,” said Cadet Ezekiel Smith, Stone Mountain, Georgia, of Georgia Southern University.   Drill Sergeant Tenner gathered the Cadets around to give a brief overview on what to do with the weapon. During […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – 153 Cadets completed Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) on May 31 at Morgan Riley. BRM was the first time the Cadets got to practice shooting their weapons. “This form of training is your initial chance to zero your weapon to your own eye,” said cadre member Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Tripp. “Our weapons go through so many people so this is a very important step for adjusting the sights to your eye.” Cadets shot five rounds from 25 meters away with their M4 rifles. Their weapons had no scope, and they had to rely on their own sight […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 2nd regiment of advanced camp Cadets arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky on May 30 for 2017 Cadet Summer Training, (CST). Upon arrival, Cadets are required to do a gear layout to ensure that they have the equipment necessary for the training ahead of them. “It’s pretty much you take all your gear out, you put it on the ground and see what you have and what your deficiencies are. That’s the point, to ensure you have the proper equipment for the upcoming training event.” Said Cadet David Nelson, University of Alaska, from Sanford Florida. This step […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Day four of Cadet Summer Training Basic Camp Cadets are taught Drill and Ceremony. They start with the basics in how to create a formation and call cadence in unison.   There are different forms of formation, with and without their rifles. There is close interval, squad column, and column of twos. Each cadet has space in between them and has to be arms length apart.   For the first day of Drill and Ceremony (D&C), Cadets are taught without the rifle.   “We briefly touch on the basics. We do facing movements, we do some marching, and […]

Day three of the Advanced Camp and Cadets are learning to be a team at the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC) site in Fort Knox, Ky.   “This is one of the first events the Cadets will have their whole time here, so it’s to build team and make camaraderie and leadership,” said Staff Sgt. John Gustafson, Ft. Knox, Ky.   There are 12 obstacles; with each obstacle there is a different challenge, the higher the number, the tougher the challenge.   On this field site, there are two of the same courses with two different names, side “Black” and side […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 1st regiment Cadets arrived at the Copple Center on May 26 for in processing, paperwork and assignments for Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2017. “They go through a series of events where they’re getting their gear inspected, make sure they brought everything, getting their assignments for platoon and company they’re in, getting the stuff they need to live in the barracks, getting barracks assignments, mostly administrative.” Said Master Sgt. Randy Angel. Cadets in processing, while they waited outside, went through their Cadet handbook, highlighting and putting in sticky notes in the key pages for quick reference. Some […]

FORT KNOX, KY. – More than 600 Cadets received their equipment for Cadet Summer Training (CST) on May 26 at Central Issue Facility (CIF). “This is basic individual gear,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Haas of the Charlie Company Regiment. “From uniforms to their water source, it’s all basic stuff that the cadets will need on the field.” It was the Cadets’ first day of Cadet Summer Training, and they got the supplies that they will need during the summer. “The process of getting equipment was a lot easier and friendlier than past experiences for me at least,” said Cadet Austin Glang […]

Cadets from all over the country arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., on May 25 to start their first day of Advanced camp.   Upon arrival, Cadets must go through many tasks as part of their in-processing. Some tasks include thorough briefings, inventory of items that they should have and not have, receive barracks assignments, and height/weight check.   Height and Weight is a big part of the Cadet processing because commanders want to make sure their Cadets meet Army standards.   When the Cadets receive their barracks assignments they are to change into their Army shirt and running shorts. Once they […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 1st regiment of advanced camp Cadets arrived for registration on May 25 for Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2017. During registration, Cadets were required to go through their clothing, equipment and other items to ensure that they packed enough for the upcoming training. This is to, “make sure they have everything they’re required to have, because if you get out in the field and suddenly you don’t have a poncho and it’s raining twelve out of fourteen days, you’re going to miss it.” Said 2nd Lt. John Altman, a Cadre member who will be training Cadets during […]

FORT KNOX, KY.- More than 400 second lieutenants received their equipment for Cadet Summer Training (CST) on May 25 at the Central Issue Facility (CIF). “My role here is to ensure that the cadets have all the equipment they need to perform their duties out in the field,” said University of Tennessee Cadre Member Randolph Graves. The second lieutenants get their equipment before the Cadets to ensure the lieutenants know the equipment. It’s the lieutenants’ responsibility to make sure the Cadets have the proper supplies before CST. “It’s more of a personal check as a second lieutenant compared to as a […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Summer Training (CST) cadre rehearsed a medical evacuation May 23 before Cadets arrive for their summer training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The purpose of the exercise was to prepare the CST Tactical Operations Center (TOC) for a medical emergency. This validation was, “to test all systems on post for medical evacuation and land assets. We’re bringing in air methods and testing the redundancies in our systems so that not only will there be air evacuation assets coming to an emergency, but also ground evacuation at the same time,” said Col. Jason Nelson, deputy chief nurse of […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – When assessing simulated casualties, Cadet Summer Training Tactical Operations Center (CST TOC) is the first to get the call from medics on site.   CST TOC conducted a simulated medical evacuation May 23rd prior to Cadets arriving at Fort Knox, Ky., for their training.   “Now, we know more about all of our individual tasks, so we’re more focused and centered on knowing what we need to know depending on our jobs so we’re not crossing paths,” Said 2nd Lt. Krista Gatan, logistics liaison officer (LNO), CST TOC.   With this exercise CST TOC facilitated communication; there […]

FORT KNOX, KY. –The Medical Tactical Operations Center (MEDTOC) ran through a practice medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to prepare for Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky., May 23. “Here in the TOC, we are a center point for information collection and dissemination,” said CST Task Force MEDTOC Operations Officer Capt. Walter Kaer, 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion. The MEDTOC is responsible for communicating with emergency responders who are on the scene and ensuring casualties arrive at the nearest hospital as soon as possible. “In response to an accident, minutes matter,” Kaer said. The MEDTOC communicates with emergency responders in a variety […]