FORT KNOX Ky. — Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, practiced firing their rifles during the Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Designed to simulate a weapons qualification, EST allows Cadets to learn how to use their rifle before they go into the field. As they start their firing practice, some Cadets use their past experiences, Cadre, or family, for inspiration or advice. “EST is a training facility for us to utilize and practice our shooting skills,” said Cadet Amy Beaven, Northern Arizona University. “It’s a great way for people to either learn how to use their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence course training where they rappelled off a 64-foot tower at Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Cadets learned how to properly rappel, the safety of rappelling, and how to tie a rappel seat, called a Swiss Seat, before rappelling off the rappel tower. The purpose of the rappel training is to build confidence in yourself, have trust in your people, and your equipment. Cadets tied their rappel seats, checked their safety knots, and headed to the slant wall, which is a short version of the rappel tower where [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete the 8-mile ruck march during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023. The 8-mile ruck march is the Cadets’ transition into the second half of their time spent in the field before graduation. “The march is at the end of the first phase of our Field Training Exercise (FTX),” said Cadet Madison Cappellano, Virginia Military Institute. “It’s basically a culminating event that transitions to the last six days of the field for the platoon.” At this point, Cadets have been in the field for five days, completing [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023. During the CBRN training, Cadets learned how to properly use their protective gear before entering the confidence chamber, which is filled with 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile. The purpose of the training is to teach Cadets how to react whenever they are caught in a situation with CS gas and how to react to it. Upon arrival there were classes set up for each squad to learn about CBRN. This was Cadet Clayton House from Texas A&M University’s first experience [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – U.S. Army Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in Group and Zero as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023. “Grouping” is aligning firearm sights for accurate shooting while “zeroing” is calibrating the sights for accurate aiming at a specific distance. These skills are essential for Cadets to maintain shooting accuracy in a multitude of combat situations. Cadet Grace Whaley from Norwich University shares her experience during Group & Zero. “I was nervous, I am usually not a good shot and never really practiced shooting until I came here,” Whaley said. [...]

Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their M4 Qualification at Pells ARF Range, Fort Knox, Ky., July 12, 2023. The M4 Qualification is a training event that focuses on a multitude of tasks for Cadets aspiring to become future Army Officers for the US Army. Learning basic marksmanship skills is crucial to this process and ensures Cadets can properly handle a standard military issued weapon. Cadet Ronald Heacock from Tarleton State University shares his thoughts on the importance of this training. “This is something I’ve never done before, so it’s all very new to me,” Heacock said. “I have gone [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp challenged the Forest Hills Climbing Complex on Fort Knox, Ky., July 13, 2023. FHCC is a part of training to help Cadets overcome their fears and gain confidence in themselves while completing the different obstacles. “Most people would say that it’s important because it teaches you not to be scared of heights,” said Cadet Dean Grassi, Penn State University. “I think it actually teaches you to overcome obstacles like your fear.” The course is comprised of a rock-climbing wall, two vertical alpine towers, and the high ropes course. All of these [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –Cadets from the 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, conducted Situational Training Exercise as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 13, 2023. During the STX, Cadet’s work as a platoon to practice planning, moving as a team, and reacting to combat scenarios. Cadet Zully Diana Gomez from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shared her experience during STX. “Today has been a day, this is the first time that we collectively as a platoon get together and run a mission,” Gomez stated. “We have gone from working in eight to 10 Cadet groups to now working [...]

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 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, completed the Team Development Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 13, 2023. The TDC consists of different obstacles that are designed to mentally and physically challenge Cadets. They must learn to critically think, solve problems, and work together as a team to find the solutions to the obstacles. Cadets had 10 minutes to plan and 20 minutes to execute the plan. Cadet Alex Poynter from Tarleton State University, 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, mentioned what obstacle he faced during the TDC. “We did event number four, which was the destroyed bridge,” Poynter [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — Distinguished visitors from learning institutions all over the nation received an inside look at Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 12-13, 2023. The distinguished visitors participated in the Forest Hills Climbing Course, rappel training, and the Field Leader Reaction Course during their visit. These training events are the same events that Cadets complete while at CST. Lt. Col. Daniel Laasko from the University of Cincinnati explained the importance of having the distinguished visitors experience CST for themselves. “It’s important that they are able to see what the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Course provides outside of [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Field Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 12, 2023. During the FTX, Cadets first start the training mission at the objective rally point, where they plan for the attack using the troop-leading procedures in order to destroy or defeat the opposing forces, and seize, and secure terrain. Cadet Cassandra Pichardo from Olivet Nazarene University mentioned her role during the attack. “My role was alpha team leader,” Pichardo said. “I was taking care of my people, and making sure that they were all ready to go.” Cadets take 2-3 [...]

Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their Group and Zero training at Canby Hill Range, Fort Knox, Ky., July 12, 2023. Group and Zero is an event that all Cadets must participate in to complete their training to become a future Army officer in the United States Army. It is a challenging exercise that requires patience, accuracy, and a steady aim. Cadet Bryson Matthew Quiambao from Sacramento State University shares his experience during Group and Zero training as he gears up. “For me, I usually shoot right-handed, but I tried something new because I found out that I could be [...]

FORT KNOX Ky.- Cadets from the 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, rotate throughout various training stations in Preliminary Marksmanship Skills on July 12 during the 2023 Cadet Summer Training held at Fort Knox, Ky. PMI is vital to CST because it introduces the fundamental of rifle marksmanship to the Cadets. Some have prior experience, while others may have zero. “PMI is going really well,” Cadet Austin Drake from American University said. “At first, I thought it was going to be boring, but it’s actually exciting to be here to learn and develop skills for marksmanship. It was a good time with my [...]

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. - Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox is home to one of the largest training events in the U.S. Army. Approximately 10,000 Cadets attend either Advanced or Basic Camp every summer, and ensuring their safety is a top priority. Task Force Med is one of the key elements in providing a safe training environment.

FORT KNOX, Ky. - Every year Soldiers and Civilians come to Fort Knox from across the country to facilitate Cadet Summer Training. Some act as Cadre for the Cadet regiments, some handle command and control or logistics, and some form task forces with specific purposes. Task Force Wolf from the 104th Training Division is comprised of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers that attend CST every summer to prepare Cadets to becoming future officers.

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in the Army Combat Fitness Test at Fort Knox, Ky., July 9, 2023. The ACFT accesses the agility, endurance, and strength of Cadets through a series of exercises as they start their Cadet Summer Training experience. “The ACFT is meant to measure the physical fitness of a cadet to ensure the preparedness of each person that serves,” said Cadet Anna Johnson, Michigan State. “It teaches resilience and dedication to what we do.” Designed to evaluate Cadets’ physical fitness, the ACFT is a tool that helps the Cadre identify the Cadets’ [...]

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 [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Cadre running the lanes at Group and Zero training watch over Advanced Camp Cadets from 7th Regiment as they adjust their rifles at Fort Knox, Ky., July 9, 2023. Like every single Cadet that participates in Cadet Summer Training, every Cadre comes to Fort Knox with their own story. Advanced Camp Cadets often base their personal leadership styles based off how the Cadre guides them through CST. “I know what type of leader that I want to be as I’ve learned from trial and error from other people’s failures and successes,” said Cadet Austin Herrman from [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Gina Lucciono from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, played the role of a squad leader at the elevation station during the Field Leader Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023. Being the only Cadet to be given instructions from the Cadre, it was up to Lucciono to communicate specific directions to the rest of her team. “I had to give out the information and pass it down accordingly,” Lucciono said. “I had to make sure everyone’s on the same page so we can actually execute the plan properly.” The FLRC teach Cadets how to work [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, descended a 64-foot tower for rappel training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023. A recent graduate from University of Central Florida, 2nd Lt. Hayley Blatt, explained the process Cadets participate in throughout rappel training. “First, we do a demonstration, then we assist with tying seats, [next] the Cadets go down the slant wall,” Blatt said. “After the Cadets complete the slant wall, they go down the closed side, then the open side of the tower.” After completing every step of the process, Cadet Sydney Honeycutt from Xavier University described how [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Soldiers from all different parts of the Army come to Fort Knox, Ky., to support Cadet Summer Training. Staff Sgt. Lidia Zavalza came to Fort Knox from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington to cook in one of the mobile kitchen trailers, making food for Cadre while they are on the job.  Zavalza joined the Army 10 years ago as a 92G, also known as a Culinary Specialist.  “I joined the Army because I grew up with my dad’s side of the family all being in the military, and I wanted to try it too,” Zavalza said. “My grandmother, she [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – A dark cloud storms its way across the training area where Cadets from 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp were planning to work on their field training exercises on July 1, 2023.  Due to the frequent lightning strikes, overheard thunder, and heavy rain, the training was brought to a halt. While the Cadets were waiting underneath their soon-to-be soaking wet ponchos, they had some down time to speak on FTX and their future aspirations.  “The field training event prepares us for future leadership events and tests how we perform under distress in adverse conditions,” said Cadet Alexander Grieves, Central [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the field training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 30, 2023. During the FTX, Cadets conducted a raid, a surprise attack where Cadets destroy or capture the opposing forces. One Cadet talked about their experience during the raid. Cadet Sam Barnhart from Virginia Tech said that he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because of his family. He was able to date his family’s history all the way back to the Revolutionary War. “Having that lineage of the military, it’s just in the blood, and I knew I was going [...]