[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFaMumaMrIE[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – There is a saying in the Army that practice makes permanent, but practice also makes a leader. During the Situational Training Exercise (STX) 2nd Regiment Cadets learned and practiced attack and defense procedures to prepare them for evaluation. The goal of the lane is for Cadets to learn and become proficient in the skills and procedures of attacking and defending key terrain. Capt. Ian McBride, the Officer in Charge for the Wolverine Attack Lane, said that more important than learning basic fighting skills is the leadership qualities this training event allows Cadets to show and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – Before 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp tackles its rigorous Field Training Exercise (FTX), platoons worked together today going over their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). An SOP is a plan Cadets will use in the FTX while conducting missions. With an SOP in place, everyone is on the same plan and it will be easier for the platoon to defend its territory against the enemy Second Regiment’s Cadre allowed platoon leaders to take charge of their Cadets develop plans and review combat tactics. Delta Company’s 1st platoon leader, Cadet Dylan Lanting, from University of North Georgia, took advantage of [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuUvbaZKYzQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — With Buddy Team Live Fire finished, the Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Charlie and Delta Company, prepare for their final task of Cadet Summer Training (CST), the FTX. Buddy Team Live Fire tasked each Cadet to trust their battle buddies as they moved down a lane towards a goal. And with it now completed they get a chance to reflect on all their training and time here at CST before they leave the comfort of their barracks and head to the woods for FTX. Kyle Delaney, an Elon University Cadet, is one of the many Cadets [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 2nd Regiment Charlie and Delta Company took part in training that was brand new to the Cadet Summer Training (CST) here at Fort Knox. While Buddy Team Live Fire is a new addition to CST, it is a basic tenant to be a Soldier and officer in the Army. Two Cadets, or Battle Buddies, take turns moving down a lane and firing at pop up targets before tossing a dummy grenade at an objective. The training is broken up into two different phases: blank firing and live ammunition. Today was the blank firing phase. The [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_uoAWE-KnM[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets were instructed to shoot, move and communicate as they navigated down range today during the Buddy Team Live Fire training exercise. The exercise is designed to teach skills and Army values to Cadets, such as teamwork, self-reliance and communication. Woods II Range Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) Master Sgt. Kirby Odom said the training was added to Advanced Camp this year to prepare Cadets for future careers. “We are ensuring that the Cadets get a little bit more of a taste like their privates would [get]  going through basic training,” Odom said. “When they [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Throughout Cadet Summer Training, there are many events that Cadets are fearful of or struggle to complete.  It may be getting lost during land navigation, rappelling off a 64-foot tower, or shooting a rifle, but for many, this fear comes out at the live hand grenade range. That fear surfaced for 2nd Advanced Camp Regiment Cadets this morning at Christensen Range.  Each Cadet has their own way of facing their fears.  Cadets David Hall and Kenneth Walker handle their fears by focusing on their families and the sacrifices made to get them where they are today. The [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5QkXVfclLs[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Delta Co., 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets lead their way through the Field Leader Reaction Course yesterday, June 6. The Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) puts Cadets, separated into squads, through obstacles that are modeled after situations that Soldiers have come across in historical American wars. To successfully complete an obstacle, the Cadets must get specific equipment through, as well as each squad member. With each new obstacle, a new Squad Leader is appointed. This offers a change in team dynamic with each different challenge. Some leaders take charge, others try to open more [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – As the sun peeked out from the rain clouds at Fort Knox, 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets focused their eyes on their target as they fired their weapons during basic rifle marksmanship training yesterday. Keeping platoon integrity, Cadets in Alpha and Bravo Company were separated into two groups on Canby Hill and Handiboe Shooting Ranges. To be successful during the day’s training, each Cadet was required to group together five rounds of ammunition in the diamond located in the center of their target sheet. Regardless of how long it took and how well they did in their [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQw09qPaBn0[/embedyt] Cadets from 2nd Regiment Carlie and Delta have two hours to locate two points, and they must find at least one in order to pass. Cadets use a protractor and a map of the area to plot their points. After that they use their maps and compasses to navigate to their points. Capt. Jason Dubyoski, from The Citadel said, “[The Night Land Navigation] tests [Cadets’] ability to navigate to points dismounted in the dark in hours of limited visibility.” Dubyoski mentioned that, “some of them struggle to shoot a good azimuth using the compass.” It is also possible that [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp overcame their insecurities and became more self-assured at the Rappel Tower and Confidence Course today.  In order to complete their training at Fort Knox, Cadets must complete these two events. While Company C began learning how to tie a Swiss seat harness for the Rappel Tower, Company D began its day at the Confidence Course.  Through each of the nine obstacles on the Confidence Course, Cadets tested not only their mental endurance, but also used their upper-body and core strength. Some obstacles included The Weaver, where one has to maneuver [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ow2VHG__nE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Alpha and Bravo Co., 2nd Regiment Cadets, tested their night land navigation skills late Sunday night on Ft. Knox. Cadets were given a map with two points that they were to find. Points are marked with orange and white, reflective signs posted on a stake. To pass, and this is a must-pass event, they only need to find one of those points within the two-hour time limit. To make RECONDO, they need to find both points within that time limit on their first try. Along with the map, Cadets are given a compass and [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVjwphfhd8g[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — During the Daytime Land Navigation training the Cadets from 2nd Regiment Alpha and Bravo Companies were tasked today to find three of four points provided to them in the approximately 1800 sq. km. training area and be back at their starting point in four hours. In one word, describe this training. Capt. Deshon Sims from the University of Arkansas was one of the Cadre members overseeing the course. He was one of the many who found this event built on more than just the crucial navigation skills. “It builds confidence for them to know how [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.— Tear gas released in the gas chamber of CBRN triggered various reactions in 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets today. Cadets spent the morning at the CBRN range completing the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training. The nervous Cadets started the training with a demonstration and then were split into platoons to go through instruction on safety equipment and procedures. Lt. Col. Laura Skinner is the Commissioned Officer in Charge of the CBRN training range. “From the 1st regiment through the 11th regiment we will be here running the CBRN range so that everybody can understand what skills and [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGT2lee3de8[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Randy has been shot and the Cadets have one chance to save him. Cadets from 2nd Regiment went to Heard Park today to complete their Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3), more commonly known as First Aid, testing. The training focused on evaluating a casualty, going through the proper steps of treating the mannequin, Rescue Randy, and transporting him to a location where he can receive more in-depth treatment. Maj. Joshua Conroy of the 3rd Bn., 414th Inf. Regt., was one of the Army Reservists from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington who oversaw the training. [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.—Today was another normal day for Cadets in 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp going through CBRN training. Cadet Joshua Best from Little Rock, Arkansas, attending University of Central Arkansas, was not one those Cadets. Best started the training just like all the other Cadets. He sat through the demonstration and instructional session learning proper procedures and how to use the safety equipment issued, but his time in the gas chamber was a little different. Best attended a promotion ceremony inside the gas chamber. Best said he and newly promoted Spc. Dunlap hadn’t seen each other in a while. “It was [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp took the meaning “early bird gets the worm” to a different level this morning to take on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) at 4 a.m. The APFT is an evaluation for the Cadet to do as many push-ups and sit-ups they can do in 2 minutes while meeting the minimum requirement based on their age and gender. “Its important because it evaluates how physically in shape you are as a Cadet,” said John Owens, Virginia Tech University. After those events they run 2 miles. If the Cadets want to earn RECONDO [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFFJ-reRAAE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – During today’s briefing of the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC), Lt. Col. Daniel Gregory asked Advanced Camp Cadets from Bravo Company, 2nd Regiment to raise their hands if they thought they would successfully complete all the obstacles their squad faced. Many of them confidently raised their hands, laughing with their squad members. Some of those Cadets would soon find out there is one obstacle that has yet to be beat – the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The FLRC is an event that happens within the first few days of Cadet Summer Training (CST). This course [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Alpha and Bravo Company Cadets from the 2nd Regiment completed their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) before sunrise this morning.  Passing their APFT is just one of several must-pass events for all Cadets at Advanced Camp. “It’s a huge event. It counts a lot to your overall score in the platoon. So, you definitely want to make sure you’re physically fit before you come to camp,” said Cadet Trevor Stinson, an ROTC student at Boston University. Preparing for the APFT sometimes called for multiple workouts in a day, and many Cadets, such as Angela Liu, took their [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NThCX7uNuIg[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp in-processed today at the Copple Center at the start of their Cadet Summer Training. In-processing is probably one of the longest and important days they have to go through. “It’s important because it facilitates that we are supposed to be here,” said Cadet Tyrique Green, Lincoln University of Missouri. The process to in-process is a long but important one. Cadets line up outside to receive their folders with the paperwork they will be filling out. If the Cadets are missing a document they will be given one to fill out. [...]

Fort Knox, KY—As 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp’s time at Fort Knox comes to a close, a small group of 44 cadets earned their commission as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army. On a sunny and very hot Monday afternoon here at Fort Knox, inside the cool air of the Waybur theater, family members and friends of about to be commissioned Cadets chatted and milled around as they waited for the ceremony to begin While most Cadets traditionally commission at their universities a day before they graduate, some Cadets for various reason such as injury, sickness, or emergencies, are unable to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – In true career day style, Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp explored their options within the Army and got a special visit from the Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper during Branch Orientation July 9, 2018. Tents and military vehicles lined the field of Keyes Park, as Cadets spoke with representatives from each branch of the Army. “It gives them an opportunity to know what the Army has to offer, all components: National Guard, Reserves, any active component, and all the branches they would asses in the fall of their senior year,” said Lt. Col. Steven [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – With rivalry in the air and guns in their hands, Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, spent the morning of July 8, 2018 practicing and competing to be the top company in the Drill and Ceremony Competition. Drill and Ceremony, also known as “D and C,”  is a practice within the military where soldiers march and follow various commands, such as “right face” or “right-shoulder arms.” The squads must keep unity within their formation at all time, which requires a strong team and strict discipline. The companies practiced for two hours this morning, giving final critiques and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Seeds sprout even in harsh environments. However, a greenhouse creates a climate where seedlings thrive. These seedlings are fortified, strong, and ready to rise above the rest. Some degree of leadership lives in us all, but Basic Camp is a greenhouse where leaders are grown. On June 30, 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp ran introduction scenarios in Squad Formation Order of Movement. Advanced Camp Cadet Trainer Blair Berry from Pacific Lutheran University explained the exercise. “This is a hasty linear ambush on a moving target,” he said. A target is going to come down the road, and they are getting [...]

Through the rain showers, heat and all other obstacles, Cadets from 2ndRegiment, Advanced Camp are learning to “love the suck” as they go through squad battle drills, in the words of Cadet Andrew Fisher. Fisher, from George Washington University, explained that because of the preparations for FTX through the squad battle drill, he and his fellow Cadets are learning how the role of a squad fits into the larger picture of a platoon. He emphasized how important squads were in the entire mission of the platoon. Maj. Brent Anderson, Platoon Tactical Officer for 4thPlatoon, Delta Company, 3rdRegiment further explained that the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second Regiment Basic Camp Cadets climbed to the challenge during their High Ropes Course in Fort Knox June 19, empowering Cadets with the courage and confidence it takes to perform in the field. High Ropes consists of a collection of three height related tasks challenging Cadets to trust in their equipment and teammates. Whether Cadets are relying on emotional support from their safety, or trusting their belay to ensure they do not fall from the top of the 50-foot climbing tower, the High Ropes Course is testing courage and confidence on all fronts. During these challenges teammates, or battle buddies, [...]