DOWNLOAD Program Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence AwardCadet Keely Jones, University of North Carolina, Pembroke Military Order of World Wars AwardCadet Jaylan Workman, University of North Georgia Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Elizabeth Glazener, Texas Christian University First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Grant Schafer, North Dakota State University USAA Warrior Spirit AwardCadet Malia Kaakimakaifo, University of Honolulu Armed Forces Bank AwardCadet Tae Kim, University of Texas at Austin Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Adrianne Williams, Georgia State University National Guard Association of the United State AwardCadet Justin Heyn, South Dakota State University Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Apolline Vincent, University […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — When teenagers turn 16 in America, some parents go out of their way to make sure this day is a special one. Parties, limousine rides and expensive gifts are not a rare sight on this day. AnnaLee Reid’s Sweet 16 was just a little different. Reid, a Cadet from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, who attends Central Washington University, received a present that unknowingly started her on the road to become a U.S. Army Officer. “My parents for my 16 birthday took me out and taught me how to shoot a handgun,” said Reid.  “That was like the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — There is no doubt that the tactics modern troops use to move around the battlefield would surprise the early American Soldiers. Perhaps no other tactic would surprise them more than the concept of Fire and Maneuver. A squad tactic that involves the use of two elements, maneuver and fire support, Fire and Maneuver revolutionized the way wars are fought by replacing the rigid line-up tactics of the past with a dynamic approach that allows for movement, cover and concealment on the battlefield. On July 18, Cadets from 11th Regiment, Advanced Camp, learned how to apply this tactical […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — When Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived to Fort Knox, Ky., for their Cadet Summer Training (CST) their marksmanship skill levels were at different stages of development.  From previous service special forces Cadets to Cadets that have never touched a gun in their lives, Cadre must train them all to be proficient with the M4 rifle and for the new .40 Individual Weapons Qualification. “Every program has different assets in what they can deal and train with,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Kirkendall, a member from the training Cadre. “Cadets come in to CST who not […]

On the morning of July 21, 2021, the Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp were set loose in the forests of Fort Knox, Ky. with a map, a set of coordinates, and a time limit. “They’re somewhere in the woods—find them using plotted points,” said Cadet Orkhun Ismayil of Virginia Tech. “You’re given four, and you have to get at least three in four hours.” The four grid coordinates that were given to each Cadet corresponded to a real-world objective, which were comparatively small orange and white squares suspended about six feet above the ground on a street sign post. Each […]

Fort Knox, Ky., —  Throughout Cadet Summer Training, Cadets learn the meaning of being a Soldier and a leader by exposing themselves every day to new experiences that help them grow. They conquer fears on the Rappel Tower, they develop confidence during Land Navigation and they learn to trust their equipment during the Confidence Chamber.   By the time Cadets arrive at the Field Training Exercise (FTX) their Regiments are a well-oiled machine that is ready to showcase the things they have learned throughout camp, but before they can do that, they must learn one final lesson: How to work with each […]

Fort Knox, Ky., — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, received a motivational boost from Gen. Paul E. Funk II during his visit to their Field Training Exercise (FTX) at AO Wolverine on July 19. “I was busy writing my OPORD (Operations Order) and I started looking up and I counted one, two, three, four stars on the chest and I was like ‘oh my God, we have a general out here,’” said Cadet Danny Yim, UC Berkeley.  Funk, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, shared with Cadets a moment of comradery and expressed his gratitude […]

When the Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived to the Warrior Skills training site on Thursday, July 1, the excitement could be felt in the air. Smiling faces bounced around scouting every inch of the green military tents in the distance. For the Cadets, Warrior Skills is the first hands-on training event of their Cadet Summer Training, and the place where they learned to save lives and provide indirect fire support for ground troops. Cadets started the event by receiving a mandatory safety brief from the Cadre staff and later split into platoons to challenge the Call for Fire lane […]

On April 22, 1915, German troops wrote a gruesome new chapter in the book of modern warfare with the deployment of poison gas on the unsuspecting Allied troops defending Ypres, Belgium. Since then, the use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons became widespread among nations and have been used as recent as the 1990s when Iraqi forces deployed Nerve Agents and CS Gas against its own population to control a popular uprising. To prevent a repeat of the Ypres attack, the U.S. Military developed the Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) and trained its troops in the effective reaction against the […]

First there was the silence of aiming. Next the first couple gunshots of the eager. Eventually, the shots cascaded from the lined-up Cadets so fast that it sounded reminiscent of the opening drum solo of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.” Although it sounds like fun, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp’s Weapons Group Zero training was a serious event that demanded intense concentration. Each Platoon took a prone-supported position on a shooting range at Fort Knox, KY, and fired volleys of five rounds from their M4 rifles at a target approximately twenty-five meters away. The goal: grouping their shots together, and adjusting their […]

Unlike most college students on summer break who likely sleep in, Cadet Erin Gustafson from Texas A&M University finished her Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) at 5:30 a.m on June 21. Gustafson, who is part of Alpha Company, 4th Regiment, is currently attending Advanced Camp, which is part of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky.  The ACFT is the newest physical test for the Army, replacing the previous Army Physical Fitness Test. The new test revolves around combat-related stresses, such as being able to jump over obstacles, reacting quickly to fire, or pushing a disabled vehicle. Most Cadets are training […]

On June 14, 2021, 4th Regiment Cadets attended Fire and Maneuver training at Fort Knox, Ky. Every Cadet learns how to effectively provide cover from enemy fire, for themselves and their battle buddy, using suppressive fire and maneuver techniques. Though live rounds are not used for this exercise, Fire and Maneuver training ensures that, if ever faced with a real combat situation, Cadets would know how to efficiently communicate and provide cover for a comrade in arms.  Cadet Marcellus Forbes said, “It gives us a better perspective to what our troops will be doing in real life.” When he’s not attending […]

On June 10th, 2021, First Regiment Cadets arrived at the Land Navigation (Land Nav) site, ready and prepared to tackle the Day Land Nav course at Fort Knox, Ky.  Lt. Col. Kraig Kline, chief of the Land Nav committee, is responsible for preparing the course beforehand and supporting Cadets during the training event. “We give Cadets a certain number of points,” said Kline. “Cadets take their protractor and compass and figure out, after they have plotted the points, how to actually get to that point on the ground.”  Kline compares the exercise to a ”treasure quest.” He says they’re similar, however, […]

Just one week after their arrival at Fort Knox, KY, the Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp marched to their hand grenade training on the sunny morning of June 14, 2021. Despite having been strangers when they got here, these Cadets had been spending almost every minute of every day together for the past week, and it showed in their behavior. No Cadet seemed out of place, and they used every minute of down time to make conversation. “Delta company, fourth platoon feels like family already,” said Cadet Liberty Henson from the University of Central Florida. “At first it was kind of […]

1st Regiment had the chance to step into a gas chamber and breathe in tear gas during their protective gear and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) training on June 12 while at Cadet Summer Training Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Ky. “The purpose is for them to have confidence in their protective gear,” said Staff Sgt. Paville Simpson, who ran the training inside the chamber and is from the 172nd CBRN Company. “In the event that someone wants to use chemical weapons against us, they know how to properly use their mask. Like how to properly put it on, […]

1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spent their day learning about fire and maneuver techniques at Fort Knox, Ky. on May 30, 2021.  Cadets learned techniques on how to effectively move through a field with barricades, logs and wire, all while trying to carry their rifle and maintain safety of themselves and their partner, otherwise known as their battle buddy.  The purpose of the exercise is to help Cadets get comfortable with high-stress situations and also know how to move under real fire when in combat.  Cadre use a go and no go system to test Cadets. “Go” means that they passed […]

Name: Emily Maier-Costanza School: The University of Alabama Hometown: Walnut Creek, Ca Major/Minor: Criminal Justice What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers? Cadet Maier-Costanza has demonstrated great dedication and determination since she stepped foot on the University of Alabama Campus and joined Army ROTC. Cadet Maier-Costanza is a very active participant in and outside of the ROTC program. She has played on the UA club soccer team, has volunteered to be the OIC for the Dinning Out in Spring of 2020 and is the current PAO for the Cadet Battalion. Furthermore, Cadet Maier-Costanza has been a member of the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated and parted ways this morning, August 8. Advanced Camp is a long, tasking 37 days long; challenges present themselves at every corner and Cadets are expected to address and overcome them. Their graduation ceremony is a very welcome event, reuniting them with their family and friends and sending them on their way home. Knowledge that Sticks Out of all they learn at Advanced Camp, many Cadets have something in particular that sticks with them. “The most important thing I’ve learned is just to listen to others and not be […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — One thing that distinguishes Basic Camp from other levels of Army training is the number of Cadre who oversee the training. A lot of the basic camp instruction is given by drill sergeants and newly commissioned officers, but there is another group helping with the basic camp regiments: MSIII trainers. MSIII stands for Military Science 300, and it is made up of ROTC Cadets in college who have completed their junior year of school and graduated advanced camp this summer. After graduating, some opted to stick around in Fort Knox for basic camp and work as mentors […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp, competed in a drill and ceremony (D&C) competition today to test their marching and military bearing skills. The competition tested the basic foundations of D&C on how you march and conduct yourself in a formation. For the first portion of the competition, each platoon in the regiment created a routine that included numerous required elements and commands. Cadre graded Cadets on how well they conducted their platoon D&C routines and how well they maintained their military bearing. Maintaining a strong military bearing is holding and conducting yourself in a well-disciplined manner. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — On Aug. 5, Cadets of the 10th Regiment had an early morning fighting the enemy during a defense mission at AO Grizzly. This is their last full day of the Field Training Exercises (FTX), with graduation just around the corner. Defense missions are pretty straightforward: the platoon is set up at a patrol base with borders and protection surrounding it. The Opposing Force (OPFOR) wants to take that base over, and plans to attack it. The Cadets have no knowledge of when the OPFOR are coming, but have to stay quick on their feet and maintain control […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — “COVER ME WHILE I MOVE!!!” “I GOT YOU COVERED!!!” These two phrases were a common consistency on Aug. 4 at Mill Creek Range, when 6th Regiment of Basic Camp went through the Fire Team Movement drill. Similar to the Buddy Team Live Fire exercise Advanced Camp Cadets undergo, the Fire Team Movement drill requires Cadets to take turns advancing along different points of cover, with their partners providing cover fire behind them. It is performed to grow Cadets’ communication skills, increase their confidence in advancing to cover, and progress the relationships of battle buddies. One group of […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — After 24 days at Basic Camp, 5th Regiment Cadets took on the 10k Foot March this morning to test their physical and mental endurance. Foot marches challenge Cadets with walking long distances at a fast pace with weight in their rucksacks. “It is mostly mental,” Cadet Mason Aldridge, from Birmingham, Alabama, and attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said. “Coming out here and doing this ruck march is to prove that you can go further than you think you can.” The Cadets began the march at 4 a.m. The purpose of this was to not only […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — On August 3, nearly 600 Cadets stood in formation as Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford delivered some parting words to end their Advanced Camp journey. After 37 days of facing fears such as heights or hand grenades, pushing through mental challenges such as land navigation and map reading, and going survival-mode in the Field Training Exercises, the 8th Regiment has finally reached the end of their training at Fort Knox. One of the main reasons Cadets work to pass Advanced Camp is the gateway it provides to becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. This is why the Cadre constantly challenged […]