There was excitement in the air as Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, fired off their final rounds and completed one last tactical mission during their concluding iteration of Field Training Exercises (FTX).   The morale was incredibly high as these Cadets looked back on their time in the field and recognized the very important, yet very different perspectives they had on the experience.   “If we’re not training, we’re out there in the actual, real fight,” Cadet John Halo, from Fayetteville State University, said. “It’s good to have that increased stress, it adds value to the training, so it makes the leaders […]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence Award This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by Regimental cadre board. Cadet Christopher Jennings, Western Oregon University First Command Financial Services Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the leadership traits necessary to encourage teamwork, improve unit cohesion, and reinforce mission accomplishment. Cadet Sabrina Fradette, University of South Florida USAA Warrior Ethos Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the Army Profession, Ethics, and Officership while best exemplifying the warrior spirit. Cadet David Broadhead, Utah Valley University Armed Forces Bank […]

Three Cadets, Vittorio Divalentin (left) from Virginia Tech, Annika Smylie (center) from Idaho State University, and Kyla McKim (right) from Drexel University, assigned to 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp of Cadet Summer Training discuss different aspects of Field Training Exercise (FTX) and offer some advice to future Cadets during their FTX at Fort Knox, Ky.

Nervous, excited, and thrilled were all words used by Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, to describe their emotions before crawling directly under and toward live M240 machine gun fire.  The Cadets embraced this challenge at the Night Infiltration Course (NIC), a training event at Cadet Summer Training (CST) designed to test physical and mental toughness through the simulation of a combat scenario.  “If you’re in a combat situation and you’re given a mission, you have to complete that mission, otherwise there will be rippling effects through neighboring units,” 2nd Lt. Christian Henderson, commissioned officer from Ball State University, said. “We’ll […]

Special Awards Recipients Military Order of the Purple Heart Badge of MeritCadet Itxel Martin-Huesca, Benedictine College Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet Anneliese Cowles, Seattle University Military Officer’s Association of America AwardCadet Emme Jennings, University of Houston- Downtown AUSA Warrior Ethos AwardCadet Zachary Ninneman, University of New Mexico First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Sarah Baumann, Pennsylvania State University- University Park Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet Jessielyn Reyes, University of Illinois- Chicago Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Serena Dingman, University of Texas- San Antonio Society of American Military Engineers AwardCadet Phillip Zombro, University of Alabama- Birmingham Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Israel […]

M4 carbine sights may have been fogged up as 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, went out to the Handiboe Range to group and zero their M4 Carbines, but the conditions taught Cadets that not everyday will be sunny and clear skies.  “It was a combination of fogginess and raindrops all over,” said Cadet Taylor Rice, Virginia Commonwealth University. “It started pouring so much that it got into both my prescriptions and into my eye pro.”  Rice along with her peers had to wipe off their eye protection or glasses in between firing iterations due to the intense downpour. While trying to clear […]

After the long-awaited signal that the skies were clear of lightning, Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, stepped off and began their last graduation requirement for Cadet Summer Training, the 12-mile foot-march.  The 4-5 hour trek takes Cadets from training area Densberger and stretches through blocked off roads, leading Cadets back to their barracks.  As Cadet Elayna Snyder, Kansas State University, reached Brandenburg Gate, which is around the halfway point, she looked behind her and noticed Cadet Mya Walker, Florida A&M University, walking in the back of the formation.   “I knew she got injured a few days ago, so I knew […]

“Electric. I felt no muscle fatigue, nothing,” said Cadet Trevor Corso, from George Mason University.  This invigorating feeling stemmed from the encouragement he received as he raced against his peers of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, toward the final challenge of the Beaudoin Obstacle Course.  The course consisted of 13 events designed to test physical capability and boost morale.  “I was up there motivating everybody. I loved the energy coming back to me too,” Corso said. “Giving everybody high-fives on both sides coming through, because they knew I was the last one.”  Corso was the final member of his squad to attempt […]

“When I was dangling in the air for the first five seconds, I was like, ‘oh my gosh, oh my gosh… I can’t do this,” said Cadet John Conrad, Texas Tech University.  In the hot July sun, Cadets conquered the 64ft. Rappel Tower and proved they had what it takes to trust others with their safety. “The scariest thing about going down the rappel tower was the initial part of having to trust everything,” said Conrad. “Myself, I like to be in control. There’s parts of life where you just have to trust in others.” While rappelling sounds like a one-man […]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence Award This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by Regimental cadre board. Cadet Garrett Lyons, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Magellan Federal High Performer Award This award is presented to the male and female Cadets who achieve the highest score on the Army Combat Fitness Test. Cadet Garrett Lyons, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityCadet Nicole Ansley, Norwich University First Command Financial Services Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the leadership traits necessary to encourage teamwork, improve unit cohesion, and reinforce mission accomplishment. […]

A nine-line and time was all 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets needed to get through their mission successfully – but time was not on their side.  “And in that moment, we only had five minutes and we had prepped the nine-line as much as we could,” said Cadet Nathaniel Sanders, American University. “But five minutes to get the nine-line out, especially with the casualties that I haven’t assessed yet, was stressful, to say the least.”  Sanders was the platoon sergeant (PSG) for the Field Training Exercise (FTX) during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Along with Sanders was another member […]

“I had everyone in my platoon help me train up until today, and I was very nervous especially on the line,” Cadet Blake Lisgar from University of Delaware said. After two previous days of shooting where Cadets had to group, zero their weapons and complete a zero confirmation, Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp test for marksmanship qualification at Pells Range.  In order to qualify, Cadets must shoot a minimum of 23 out of 40 targets. However, if a Cadet would like to qualify for the Recondo Badge, they must shoot 30 or more targets.  Although Lisgar has experience with shooting, […]

“When you’re crawling, it felt like forever,” said Cadet Thomas Damsgard, University of Alabama. “I felt like I was crawling for a mile.”  An obstacle that is approximately 100 meters long stands between Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, and Cadet Summer Training graduation.  The Night Infiltration Course fires live rounds above Cadets while they low crawl the distance under and over obstacles to include logs. Sand makes it into every crevice of their uniform as they drag themselves, as well as the additional weight of a plated vest and helmet through the course.  The extra weight makes it physically exhausting, […]

As Cadet James Fisher, from Ole Miss: University of Mississippi, looked over the edge of the Sgt. Maj. Gary Fortunato Memorial Rappel Tower, he did not feel nervous, but rather right in his element.  “I went to Sabalauski Air Assault School in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, prior to coming here,” Fisher said.  Having previous rappel experience, Fisher obtained a unique approach to the tower at Cadet Summer Training.  “My perspective is, I have knowledge that I can use to help, but the instructors that are out here are in charge. I shouldn’t be overstepping bounds,” Fisher said.  With immense pride in having […]

“Seeing her cheering me on was making me forget how high I was, and also her encouraging me to do it was like easing me off from being nervous, just making it fun for me,” Cadet Michelle Mercado said. From the University of Southern California, 1st Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets, Michelle Mercado and Chelsea Garcia, tackle the high ropes course at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex in Fort Knox, Ky. Although Mercado and Garcia have been going to the same school for the last two years, they did not meet until the beginning of Cadet Summer Training.  “She’s like a sister […]

With maps in hand and one goal in mind, the Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, were sent off into unknown terrain to test their land navigation skills.   The Cadets were provided coordinates and tasked with the mission of locating at least one of two points within a two-hour time limit, using only a map, protractor, compass, and pencil.   “We plotted our points and made our plan immediately, and were able to get moving,” Cadet Ryan McClure, from the College of William & Mary, said.   McClure and his fellow squad members, Cadet Justine Ameperosa, Cadet Vincent Bocchetti, Cadet Laura […]

A platoon sergeant patch was clinging onto Cadet Christian Lopez’s uniform while he was out at the grenade course during Cadet Summer Training.  Lopez practiced throwing grenades with everyone in his platoon, but he also had the leadership role of platoon sergeant that day. He had the weight of not only getting a GO on the lane – he was also being evaluated as a leader in that moment. Cadets are selected at random to take on leadership roles to include platoon sergeant, platoon leader, and squad leader at Advanced Camp with the roles changing daily. Lopez found that wearing a […]

As Cadet Summer Training (CST) graduation approaches for the Cadets of 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, they have traded in the comfort of their barracks for one final iteration of Field Training Exercises (FTX).   With that, Cadet Melanie Williams, from Grand Valley State University, and Cadet Ty Wesenyak, from Virginia Military Institute, have made a much bigger sacrifice, as they celebrate their 21st and 22nd birthdays out in the field.   “It’s worth it. This is something I really want to do with my career and with my life, so missing my 21st birthday, while it may seem in the moment […]

Basic Camp Cadets packed their rucks and went out to their Field Training Exercise (FTX) during Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2022.  FTX is done at a smaller scale when compared to Advanced Camp, because for some Cadets this could be a new experience being out in the field. Missions for the Basic Camp Cadets include ambush, attack, and movement to contact.  2nd Lt. Cole Arbaugh, Task Force Badger Cadre, went through CST last summer and returns as Cadre for Basic Camp Cadets. As a future Military Intelligence officer with a branch detail Infantry, the lieutenant […]

“Without the support of commands like Cadet Summer Training here at Fort Knox, we don’t have the blood that we need and we find that here,” Navy Capt. Leslie Riggs, the Division Chief for the Armed Services Blood Program said.  Riggs became devoted to the program after discovering the challenge of continuing the blood supply. “I want to ensure that our military members that go down range come back,” Riggs said. “They are given the best possible opportunity if they’re injured, that they get the ability to come back to their families.” Cadet William Koleszar from Liberty University saw the importance […]

Cadets trickled into the check-in table at the Land Navigation Course during Cadet Summer Training. Some finished the course within an hour and a half, including Cadet Alec Brinkman, a prior service Infantryman that has walked more than a mile on a few Land Navigation courses himself.  Brinkman, a Green-to-Gold Cadet, served as a Non-Commissioned Officer and contracted with Texas A&M University-Central Texas. After serving 12 years active duty, he has been stationed around the world to include Germany, Washington, Texas, and also found himself in Afghanistan nine months after graduating Basic Training in 2011.  Now in 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, […]

Drill Sergeants and newly commissioned Second Lieutenants helped to direct 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets through the Rugger’s Rope Course during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 15, 2022. In the mix of these senior leaders were a group of Cadets that have been at CST 2022 longer than most of the Cadre this summer. This group of Cadets recently graduated from CST less than a month ago and now serve as MSIII mentors for Basic Camp.  Prior to graduating from Advanced Camp, senior Army ROTC Cadets have the opportunity to serve as MSIII mentors for Basic Camp regiments […]

“Oh my gosh, my blood is pumping. I’m ecstatic. Over there, I was yelling ‘Can we do it again?’ I want to do it again. It was so much fun,” Cadet Nicole Darland from the University of Kentucky said.  1st Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets, complete the Night Infiltration Course. This is a confidence building training exercise where Cadets crawl a 100 meters while live ammunition is fired over their heads and simulated explosions erupt on the ground around them.   While some Cadets felt nervous, Darland felt nothing but excitement to tackle the course. “I was kind of excited. I didn’t know […]

“Wake up everyday to give the best leadership to those soldiers that you have the privilege of being in front of,” said Lt. Gen. Gary Brito, Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army.  Brito gave this advice to 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets, at Cadet Summer Training (CST), while visiting Fort Knox.   During his visit, Brito interacted with Basic Camp Cadets as they trained at the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), and Advanced Camp Cadets as they completed the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC).   He also spoke on the culture at CST.   “They learn how to operate in a […]

Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp completed the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), which allows them to practice firing their weapons in a simulation environment before they attempt a live qualification at the shooting range. For many of these Cadets, this will be the very first time they are firing a weapon. “I’ve never really shot a weapon before, but now that I’ve had my cadre helping me out with trying to perfect my shooting I feel a lot more confident,” Cadet Madison Howard from Clemson University said.  Howard recently transferred from the Air Force to Army ROTC where she is experiencing […]