FORT KNOX, Ky. — The classroom resounded with the unsynchronized clicks and clacks of M16 assembly, disassembly, and functions check. Yesterday, 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets were issued their rifles. “For some of them, this is the first time that they have touched a weapon,” 1st Lt. Chaplin Maritza Curet explained. Drill sergeants helped Cadets recognize each part of their firearms. Cadre and Cadet Trainers walked the aisles providing one-on-one instruction. “It can be a little tricky,” Cadet Chloe Cline from Louisiana State University said. “There are a lot of little pieces; it can be frustrating.” As with all exercises, the trainers [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Early this morning, drill instructors introduced Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT) to the Cadets in 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp. Physical Readiness “is the ability to meet the physical demands of any combat or duty position, accomplish the mission, and continue to fight and win,” according to the Army Public Health Center’s website. Intro PRT familiarizes new Cadets with exercise techniques, which build the strength, endurance, and mobility needed for combat. “The PRT that the Army has adopted has a good set of drills, stretches and routines that properly prepare the Cadets and Soldiers,” Lt. Col. Matthew Stanley, Professor of [...]

Fort Knox, Ky – Second Regiment Cadets mastered the hip rappel seat and the 64 ft. rappel tower. Before starting the rappel course cadets had to learn how to properly prepare themselves. Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Evans, University of Arizona, provided instructions on how to properly create the Swiss Seat. Understanding the Language Brake Hand- The most dominant hand, usually the writing hand. Guide Hand – The weaker hand. Carabiner-  Coupling link with a safety closure, used by rock climbers Tie the Seat. Place gloves on the guide hand shoulder and the snap link is hooked on the brake hand side pocket. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Two hundred ninety Cadets arrived at Fort Knox on June 10 with a mix of enthusiasm and nervousness radiating from the group. After getting off the bus, the group moved to a nearby overhang to ground their gear and prepare for inspection. All items lay on the gravel to be combed through by Cadre. Cadet Stephanie Martino from the University of Kentucky shared her feelings during arrival. Martino joined ROTC upon completion of her bachelor’s degree and is continuing into a Master’s program. “It was kind of an adrenaline rush, which that’s something I’ve missed for a while,” Martino [...]

by: Cpt. Samuel D. Sellers edited by: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.-U.S. Army Cadet Command Cadre members from over 20 different Senior ROTC programs and 40 recently commissioned active duty 2nd Lieutenants assembled on Fort Knox, Ky., June 11 to learn about the proper use of pyrotechnics during Cadet Summer Training (CST). Each Cadre member and newly commissioned officers represent a variety of branches within the Army. CST, comprised of Basic and Advanced camps, combines all eight brigades within U.S. Army Cadet Command and will produce the Army’s newest officers. Basic Camp cadets, comprised of Military Science one and two students, learn [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Basic Camp 2nd Regiment Families came out to see their Cadets after the 30 day Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The families met at the Gaffey Hall in the Haszard Auditorium where they got a taste of what the Cadets did over the past month. At the end of the briefing parents would walk out to all of the Cadets standing at attention. The Cadets were given the go ahead, many ran straight to their families. One particular mother Jo Rieck, the mother of Daniel Reick, was egger to see her son. “I’m excited to see [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – After 31 days of training, 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed Advanced Camp at Cadet Summer Training, graduating at Brooks Field at Fort Knox, June 30. “This ceremony marks the culmination of 31 days of rigorous and intensive training for these young men and women. For them, Advanced Camp served as a test of their leadership abilities and potential to be an officer. They have emerged from this challenge, confident in their ability to assume the tremendous responsibilities of being an Army officer,” said 2nd Lt. Nathan Daws, commonly called ‘Pipes’, the narrator for [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived at Harmon Hall, the Central Issuing Facility, June 28, to return equipment and gear used during Cadet Summer Training. If gear was not issued to Cadets by their host program, the CIF issued gear and equipment so Cadets could obtain the most experience during CST. “Today, we’re basically just doing gear turn in. So, stuff that we didn’t have, they were nice enough to issue it here. Then, we have to work really hard to make sure it’s clean because, if it’s not, they will make us clean it [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Rappel Tower and Confidence Course at Fort Knox, June 26, for Cadet Summer Training. The Rappel Tower is a 64-foot tower that challenges Cadets through heights as well as rappelling skills and tying the Swiss seat. The Confidence Course is a set of obstacles for Cadets to push themselves to their limits. “Today, we are Rappelling and doing the Confidence course which is like an obstacle course where there’s different challenges and obstacles that you have to get over. There’s a lot of physically challenging stuff from climbing [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – In Fort Knox, the sun rises promptly at 6:23 a.m. but for Second Regiment, Advanced Camp, this means that the majority of their 12-mile ruck march will be completed in the dark. At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, Cadets were woken and instructed to get ready for their longest and farthest ruck march yet. “We’ve conducted a four mile, six mile and eight mile ruck so far, complete with our 35 lb. rucksacks, weapons and helmets,” said Cadet Lerner Sarno, San Diego State University. Accompanying Cadet Sarno was Cadet Leanne Lautzenhiser, Indiana University – Purdue University [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Day 22, Basic Camp 2nd Regiment Cadets tracked through the Field Training Exercise lanes, June 22, to learn the foundation of combat tactics, for the annual Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. FTX lanes help the Cadets set up Objective Rally Points (ORP), different types of missions, patrol bases and focuses on the tactical part of the mission. Cadets first spend a few nights in Tent City where they learn the different types of ambushes they will be conducting and they get an overview of what they will be doing in the field. “We learn about the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment Basic Camp completed their training for introduction to battle drills June 20 in Fort Knox, Ky. There are eight lanes that Cadets need to complete; each of them had different scenarios. Within each lane Cadets are given 10 minutes to plan out the attack using a hand-made map using various items to symbolize what they will come into contact with. After Cadets plan, Cadre then lead them to where the enemy should be. The Cadre within the Regiment then plays the enemy. Cadets are told how to walk in formation, having the Squad Leaders lead [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in weapons zeroing and weapons qualification June 12 at Canby Hill Range at Fort Knox, Kentucky during Cadet Summer Training. This training is for Cadets to better understand their weapon in terms of safety and proper use. “Right now, they’re getting qualified on the M16. They are getting confidence in grouping, zeroing and basic familiarization at this point. Some of them have never shot a weapon before and so that’s the experience that they’re getting,” said 2nd Lt. Aurora Alejos. Cadet Patrick Spencer, Texas Christian University, Indianapolis, Indiana, explained [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, performed Individual Task Testing (ITT), June 16, during Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky. ITT is testing for Cadets which evaluates the skills they have learned up to this point in their training. “Today, we’re getting tested on everything we’ve learned up to this point. We’re making sure we know how to load a weapons system, do system checks on it and, if there’s a misfire, how to take care of it. We’re also being tested on first aid as well as different carries and how to treat [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Alpha Company of the 2nd Regiment Basic Camp completes the Army Physical Fitness Test early morning, June 17 in Fort Knox, Ky. Part of APFT is to complete two minutes of pushups, sit-ups and end with two-mile run. Each gender has a minimum and maximum amount of pushups and sit-ups Cadets have to complete. It’s up to the Cadet how many they would like to complete before two minutes is up. Each Cadet receives points for every pushup or sit-up they complete. As Lt. Col. Elvis Coronado noticed each Cadet struggling he would motivate them to finish. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp, 2nd Regiment Cadets navigated through the woods with small teams to find certain locations during the annual Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets first did Land Navigation with a partner, same course different locations. They are then required to do the same course by themselves with no help besides a compass, protractor and the knowledge they were given before hand. This course is required for graduation, it does help when the Cadets get commissioned and get real world missions. Cadets found some differences when it came to navigating with partners versus themselves. [...]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd and 4th Squad Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, were trained and tested on Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) environments June 7 during Cadet Summer Training (CST). This required training is to educate Cadets on CBRN environments should they arise during deployment. “It’s important because the current environment that we might be going into, we might face it one day. So, making sure that we’re properly prepared and ready for it is something that, I think, future officers should know when getting ready to lead their troops,” said Cadet Angel Rivas, University of [...]

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 [...]

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. – 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 [...]