FORT KNOX Ky.— Armed with only their wits, strength, and endurance, Cadets from the 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 13, 2023. During Cadet Summer Training, Cadets are faced with multiple instances in which they must exhibit both their mental and physical capabilities.  “The confidence course is an obstacle course that every Cadet at CST must go through,” said Cadet Melanie Franco, St. John’s University. “It tests basically where you’re strong, where you’re not, and if you can complete each obstacle. Designed to challenge Cadets to overcome their mental stress and push their physical [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.—Cadets from the 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Field Leadership Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., on July 12, 2023. FLRC is an obstacle course designed to challenge and grow the Cadets’ teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. The course forces the Cadets to work together with their battle buddies to understand one another and the roles that each person takes on the team. “We’re working together as a team, using our squads, who have already been together for the past 13 days,” said Cadet Caleb Kowalewski, Cedarville University, “We’ve had time to connect and build relationships. Now, [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, execute their battle march and shoot training exercise on Fort Knox, Ky., on July 9, 2023. Battle march and shoot simulates the fatigue that can appear while in active duty, pushing Cadets to remain prepared for combat. “The battle march and shoot is a [roughly] four mile ruck to make us really tired, and then we get 40 rounds and put them on a target,” said Cadet Geoffrey Takacs, University of Connecticut. “It’s to make sure that we can stay calm and even after working out, being under pressure, we can [...]

Being an Army officer requires a person to devote themselves to the tasks at hand, both physically and mentally. To do this requires more than just will; it requires confidence. Cadets of 7th Regiment put themselves to the test on July 8, 2021, in the Confidence Course: a set of eight obstacles in the woods of Fort Knox, KY. The obstacles were designed to force Cadets to learn to manipulate their bodies in difficult and unconventional ways to prepare them to navigate an unforeseen environment. But more than this, completion of the Confidence Course would get these Cadets to question what [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thu-lnDCoWg[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — With graduation growing ever closer, Cadets spent today, July 26, 2019, learning about where they will be going once they receive their commission. Branch Orientation allows Cadets an opportunity to ask questions and learn all they can about their preferred branches. However, if they want to branch out and learn about others groups in the Army, they are more than welcome to explore to find new interests. Cadet Miurel Hamburger, of Miami, Florida, came to today’s training with a whole host of questions about her preferred branch and was able to find out all [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZfbHQ6X-iU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets conducted a platoon attack against opposing forces (OPFOR) as part of their second field training exercise (FTX II), July 21.  FTX II is the run phase of FTX, meaning that Cadets coordinate their maneuvers completely independent of Cadre assistance. At the end of each mission however, Cadre guide Cadets’ after-action reviews (AARs) to explain where Cadets made errors and how they can correct them in future.  “During each mission we learn something new, especially during the AARs. We take a lot from them,” said Cadet Kiera Dixon, attending the University [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Cadets of 7th Regiment Advanced Camp performed a simulated platoon attack during their field training exercise (FTX), July 17. The training Cadets received was part of the walk phase of FTX, meaning that they were assisted by cadre. The Cadets’ mission was to assault an objective held by an opposing force (OPFOR), establish security and assess casualties before proceeding to conduct an after-action review (AAR) The Army’s Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. James McConville was visiting Cadet Summer Training and observed the platoon’s assault and participated in the AAR.  Although his visit was brief, McConville spoke [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp woke up in the early morning hours of July 30th, 2018 to step off for the 12-mile ruck march, the last critical event before graduation. “I’m about to knock out this 12-mile ruck march with 35 pounds on my back,” Cadet Jhory Miller, Norfolk State University, declared. For this ruck march, the Cadets carry a minimum of 35 pound of gear from the field. This prepares them for future combat situation where they will be carrying larger rucks for long periods of time. “Sometimes in warfare we have to live out [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets conduct a new mission during the Field Training Exercise July 26, 2018. A Field Training Exercise describes a coordinated exercise conducted by military units for training purposes. It assists Cadets getting prepared for leadership programs they must complete to graduate as commissioned officers. The exercise is usually carefully planned out by officers, in order to give Cadets a taste of battle and allows instructors to look for mistakes and correct them. Without disclosing any plans or information beforehand, it creates a more unpredictable and realistic situation for Cadets during the training. Cadet Jake [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – It was a rough morning for Cadets from 2nd Platoon, C Company, 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, as they lost a third of their platoon in a defensive battle exercise July 23, 2018. “Yesterday, we had taken a mortar position from some Op-For (opposing forces),” Cadet Eric Ward, University of Minnesota, explained  “Today our mission was to defend that position for a period of time, from 0900 in the morning to 2000 tonight.” They had been expecting the enemy to come any time from 0900 onward. As they waited, people were starting to fall asleep. However, platoon leader [...]

Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp spent their morning learning proper ambush techniques and teamwork during their Situational Training Exercise (STX). As Cadets took on day three of the 15-day field training, Cadre gathered the future leaders to explain proper ambush techniques. Once the Cadets were briefed on their mission, it was time to rehearse. For Cadet Jacob Roberts of Towson University, missions remind him what it means to be a leader in the United States Army. “We are all here to learn to be leaders and be able to take instruction and implement a plan. The best lesson I have learned [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in their first Situational Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 17, 2018. These Cadets took their first step toward Cadet led field exercises. They spend the first few days in the field learning the basics and this exercise functioned as their first practice exam. To prepare, Cadets eat and live exclusively in the humid wilderness of Kentucky. They receive tips and clear orders from Cadre while quickly cycling through a range of roles and positions allowing each Cadet to learn the basics in the early stages. This specific exercise was [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp set their marks and took their best shots, as guests from the Kentucky State Cabinet visited and observed what goes on during Weapons Qualification on July 10, 2018. After practicing grouping and zeroing their shots the day before, Cadets were tested on their abilities at the George Blair “pop- up” range. “Today, we are qualifying at the range to test our marksmanship skills,” stated Cadet Bryant Sullivan, East Carolina University. “The whole point of this is to ensure that your battle buddy next to you can do something as simple as [...]

Fort Knox, Ky., – 7th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets challenged their fear during the Obstacle Course June 9, 2018. The Obstacle Course is one of the training events that Cadets must go through for Advanced Camp graduation in the military. Cadets have to maneuver various obstacles during the event, such as climbing ladders and ropes, walking across the wooden logs aloft, crawling backward in the sand, and many others. A lot of Cadets have done an Obstacle Course before, but most of them are really frustrated with the higher and more difficult structures today. The activities are challenging for the Cadets; however, [...]

By Michele Brisco and Joel Polarek At 5:30 a.m, most college students roll over in a warm bed, drooling on their pillow. For Cadets in 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, 5:30 a.m. means it’s time for their APFT – Army Physical Fitness Test. Cadets must pass benchmarks for push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. “It takes a lot of preparation, especially since we’ve had a few days of just eating MREs, as well as not really having an opportunity to work out.” Cadet Christopher Pirrie from the University of Tampa shared. “Just know that your score might drop a little bit due to that.” [...]