Ft. Knox, KY- Cadets of Bravo Company, 9th Regiment were up early to receive intensive training in Call for Fire. As these Cadets rubbed their eyes and had their morning stretch, they were all concentrated on what the day had in store for them. With over an hour and a half of classroom lectures, protractors, binoculars and their trusty canteens, these Cadets received thorough training in requesting artillery fires to destroy or disrupt the enemy. Call for Fire requires Cadets to quickly locate enemy tanks and report it to an observer. After reporting coordinates, it is the Cadet’s responsibility to destroy the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—9th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed their chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear, otherwise known as CBRN, confidence training—but this time with a birthday twist. CBRN confidence training is where Cadets learn about MOPP gear and then they go through the gas chamber. MOPP gear consists of boots, pants, a jacket, a gas mask, and gloves. Cadets have to be able to dawn all of the equipment in less than eight minutes and they have to be able to properly seal their mask in less than two minutes. Once inside the chamber, Cadets are lead through a little bit of PT. Once […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—9th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets were tested to shoot down pop-up targets during the Weapons Qualification July 21, 2018, at George Blair Range. Shooting practice is one of the most exciting events that happens for Cadets during their summer training. The weapon qualification helps Cadets prepare for future collective training and have confidence in their weapon systems. Cadets learned fundamental skills of shooting at their universities such as breathing, trigger squeeze or body positioning. Every Soldier and, particularly, every Officer should be familiar with the weapon systems. Alexandra Branson, St. Cloud State University, has been a national guard for […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—6th Regiment, Advanced Camp puts their skills to the test at the largest part of their training here at Fort Knox: Field Training Exercises. The FTX is the largest part of the training Cadets take part in during their time at Cadet Summer Training. The FTX is designed to be the “run” stage of their tactical knowledge. Prior to coming to the FTX, they complete the crawl and walk phases at the STX Lanes. FTX is where all the missions Cadet leadership run have to be done all on their own. Cadets receive operational orders from Cadre about the missions […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Good times never seemed so good when Cadets from C Company, 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp went through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training on July 19. At 7AM, the Cadets grounded their gear at the CBRN training site. The company was briefed before being separated into platoons and squads for Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear training. MOPP gear, consisting of a gas mask, gloves, boot covers, and a hooded suit, is designed to protect Soldiers in a toxic environment. Cadet Adam Minor, a student at Ohio State University, served in the 135th Military Police Company before joining […]

Fort Knox, Ky.- Discipline is the word of the day at the 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Drill and Ceremony Competition. When talking to several Cadets and Cadre, most emphasized discipline as a characteristic and necessity for outstanding drill movement. The Drill and Ceremony competition focused on how well a platoon can execute the basic movements a Soldier would make while marching along with a Drill Sergeant. Specifically, the foot and arm movement while marching, left and right turns, about-facing, saluting, and standing positions.   Though it may sound simple to execute, it’s not a single person effort. It is about learning […]

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 […]

U.S. Army Cadets Travel African Country to Learn Leadership, Understanding  ENTEBBE, Uganda– Thirty-three Cadets, a 1st Lt., a Capt., and a Sgt. land at the Entebbe airport after over twenty-four hours of travel. With weary legs they climb into a bus with a driver named Richard. Around 1 a.m. they arrive in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, without a single clue of the experiences they are in for. KAMPALA, Uganda– The team visits the U.S. Embassy. They learn that the United States is in Uganda for two main reasons: regional stability and trafficking management. They learn about the roles of Foreign […]

Fort Knox, KY- Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp were deep into the woods Tuesday afternoon performing a squad level ambush against mock oppositional forces. With camouflage painted across their faces and their M4 weapons locked and loaded, these Cadets were more than prepared to accomplish the mission. Accompanied by a second lieutenant as a mentor, these Cadets waited patiently. Uneven terrain filled with heavy shrubs helped with concealment while they waited for the enemy to cross their into their area. “We have to be as silent as possible,” explained Cadet Henry Jackson III, Bowie University. “We have to get to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp had the opportunity to hear presentations from 19 Army branches and functionaries represented at Branch Orientation on July 12. In a grassy area beside a large, black, armored Special Reaction Force vehicle, a gaggle of Cadets stood and watched as a Military Police K-9 handler demonstrated giving his dog commands. Sgt. 1st Class Travis Watkins, 14th MP Brigade out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., explained Branch Orientation helps Cadets get a feel for different branches. He considers it an opportunity to explore branch options and figure out what will actually be […]

FORT KNOX, KY –  Even through inclement weather and gray skies, the Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp managed to smile as they marched across Brooks Field for their graduation ceremony which signifies the completion of their training.The young college students from around the nation endured 31 days of rigorous training during Cadet Summer Training. Events like day and night time land navigation tested Cadets to manually navigate through various terrains, trusting their pace counts and road measurements to locate a pinpointed area. Weapon qualifications helped ensure a Cadet’s comfort level and concentration capabilities when aiming at a target up to 300 […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are walking into the woods in the rain during the Field Training Exercise July 16, 2018. From college classroom to Army labs, those Cadets need to manipulate a series of mock battles that pit one platoon against another in the forest, defend themselves in the ‘jungle’ of tall grass, or walking across timbers in the pouring rain. The Field Training Exercise is designed to test the skills, knowledge and leadership capabilities of Cadets. It presents them with a lot of autonomy in planning and execution. Cadet Matthew Shannon, Xavier University,  is the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—6th Regiment, Basic Camp took on their obstacle course with high morale, loud chants, and multiple sets of squats. At this point during their training, 6th Regiment, Basic Camp is 16 days into their 31 days of training here at Fort Knox. During this time, morale can sometimes run low and motivation has the tendency to drop even lower. However, this wasn’t the case for 6th Regiment as they took on the obstacle course in the pouring rain. “I’m from an island in the Pacific and back home we do a chant and it pumps up our people and gets their mind […]

Fort Knox, Ky. — 43 Cadets were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants during the End of Camp Commissioning Ceremony for 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp July 14, 2018. Most of these Lieutenants returned from last summer and spent 31 days this year on Fort Knox in Advanced Camp Training. During the summer, they learned new tactical, soldiering skills, and leadership techniques. Everyone is trying their best to get to know how their own leadership styles will contribute to the total Army. “Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory.”  For those Cadets who completed their 31 days Advanced Camp training, the commissioning […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp graduated from Cadet Summer Training after 31 days here at Fort Knox. While most soon to be college seniors spend their summer sitting pool side, or working part time jobs, for Army ROTC Cadets, they have a very different summer experience: 31 days, in the humidity and heat of the Kentucky wilderness to better themselves as future Army Officers. “My biggest take away has been the leadership opportunities I got in the field. We were put into some very stressful situations but it helped me grow and learn as a leader,” recalled Cadet Soren Johnson, Wheaton […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – While the rest of the world slept, Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp pushed through the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) early this morning. At 5:00 a.m. sharp, Cadre members started their timers and began counting off as Cadet after Cadet completed their two minutes’ worth of sit ups and push ups before heading to the dreaded two-mile run. Tension and heavy breathing filled the pavilion as Cadets prepared themselves for the next task to come. As the drill sergeant yelled out a five-minute warning, Cadets filed into formation, prepping their watches and steadying their breathing. To start the run, the […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—6th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducts Situational Training Exercise (STX) Lanes to help prepare them for their Field Training Exercises. You have to walk before you can run, and you have to be able to crawl before you can walk. This idea is something that has been adopted here at Cadet Summer Training, Advanced Camp. Before Cadets can run raids, ambushes and leaders recons in the field without any assistance, they have to know the basic Army doctrine on how to conduct each step of these missions. The STX Lanes is the crawl phase. “I feel this part of training is […]

Fort Knox, KY—As 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp’s time at Fort Knox comes to a close, a small group of 44 cadets earned their commission as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army. On a sunny and very hot Monday afternoon here at Fort Knox, inside the cool air of the Waybur theater, family members and friends of about to be commissioned Cadets chatted and milled around as they waited for the ceremony to begin While most Cadets traditionally commission at their universities a day before they graduate, some Cadets for various reason such as injury, sickness, or emergencies, are unable to […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – Fort Knox celebrated its centennial July 4, 2018. The celebration comes after the 100th birthday of the base and one hundred years of service to the United States of America. Families on and off base as well as Cadre and Cadets were invited to partake in this auspicious occasion. Bouncy houses, live bands, and raffles from donors and sponsors were free to the families, Cadre and Cadets attending. There were also eating competitions, arts and crafts, and games for all ages. While attending Fort Knox’s 4th of July celebration is a tradition for some, […]

The Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program gives the opportunity for Cadets to participate in military training and engage in humanitarian works throughout the world. Recently, Cadets from Honduras, Vietnam, and Thailand returned to the United States after spending three weeks with their CULP teams out-of-country. This experience is meant to train future army officers on how other cultures and militaries operate. Cadet Dana Gertschen, who deployed to Honduras, described the importance of CULP for future officers, “As a leader, it’s important to have perspective. A leader with perspective can think about a situation or a problem in a wise and reasonable […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets with 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp were challenged by the Field Leadership Reaction Course on June 26th. This event places a Cadet in a leadership position, where they must safely complete a given objective, while navigating an obstacle. They are dealt situations with many constraints and limited resources. “It really tests our leadership skills and ability to work as a team,” said Cadet Catherine Lynch from Mount Mary University (host school McDaniels University), “Our goal isn’t to complete the obstacles, but show our growth and ability to work together as a cohesive unit, as leaders and followers. This […]

Through the rain showers, heat and all other obstacles, Cadets from 2ndRegiment, Advanced Camp are learning to “love the suck” as they go through squad battle drills, in the words of Cadet Andrew Fisher. Fisher, from George Washington University, explained that because of the preparations for FTX through the squad battle drill, he and his fellow Cadets are learning how the role of a squad fits into the larger picture of a platoon. He emphasized how important squads were in the entire mission of the platoon. Maj. Brent Anderson, Platoon Tactical Officer for 4thPlatoon, Delta Company, 3rdRegiment further explained that the […]

Fort Knox, Kentucky – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp learned how to make calls for fire with an electronic simulation on June 23rd. A call for fire is a request for a target to be destroyed by fire support elements such as artillery or mortars. Sgt. Liam Barry from Washington, DC said, “In the event they find themselves in combat, these future leaders will be prepared to bring the support they need to the battlefield.” The Cadet’s arrived to the training site and were taught how to use available resources to call in artillery strikes. For the simulation, the Cadets had […]

Fort Knox, Kentucky – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp performed Individual Task Training (ITT) and learned how to assemble and utilize Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS). Erik Benson, an Aerospace engineering major from North Carolina State University said, “We learned how to assemble them, the battery, antenna, handset, and radio unit.” These Cadets are learning to use Combat Net Radios currently used by US and allied forces. They are designed to be reliable, secure, and easily maintained. The units weigh about eight pounds and are able to transmit data and voice communications. “The drill sergeants taught us how […]

Fort Knox, Kentucky – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, conducted a Situational Training Exercise (STX) based on reconnaissance and platoon raid June 17 at Forward Operation Base Wolverine. “Right now we are in the crawl phase, where our lanes are Cadre led,” said Cadet Patrick Patterson from Augusta University. “We learned a little about the terrain and some things that will benefit us when we start doing this on our own.” After preparing and planning their mission, Cadets move out from their patrol base and set up an Objective Rally Point. At their ORP, the majority of the platoon pulled security, […]