Cadets from 1st Regiment Basic Camp were introduced to the concept of Land Navigation on July 11, 2021. For most Basic Camp Cadets, this was the first time they learned to find their way without a phone or GPS. Cadets rotated through three courses, learning how to properly use a compass, identify terrain features on a map, and set their pace count, or how many steps they take when walking a distance of 100 meters on flat ground. During Land Navigation, Cadets receive randomly assigned coordinate points that they will plot on a map using their protractor. Using the map, they […]

“You never know how a patient is going to be,” said Spc. Kaleb Wilkerson, a medic at Task Force Med, who played the injured. “A patient can be calm as a cucumber or they can be combative. Today I was trying to mess them up… I was trying to give them the worst situation they can possible have… Just make it the worst-case scenario so they can do better in the real scenario.”

“Just like having a bag of chips, you literally have a whole meal in a bag,” said Sgt. Devonte Bush, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, TX assigned to Task Force Med supporting Cadet Summer Training.

  FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets examined their potential future career paths during Branch Orientation at Keyes Park August 14, 2019, during Cadet Summer Training. “We’re going around to all of the various branches, 17 in total, of the Army and we’re just seeing which ones we might be interested in, learning more, and, for me especially, I know very little about the Army and what the branches do. So, I’m just taking this as an opportunity to dive into a bunch of them and learn a bunch of stuff,” explained Cadet Reiss Becker, a student at […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – After a year of planning and three months of execution, Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2019 has come to a close. The single largest training operation in the entire United States Army, CST trains over 10,000 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets from universities across the nation in 100 days to prepare them for their future careers as Army Officers.  One of the CST core planners Maj. Juan Renaud explained how planning for CST is a process which begins nearly a year in advance for each summer.  “This allows task force leaders, commanders and other planners time to […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm-ABbPk7ro[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – “The Army will come and go, but family will always be there,” said CSM Timothy Guden, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, to Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp, at their graduation on August 11.  Family and loved ones traveled from near and far to see their Cadets graduate. For some Cadets, military service is a familial legacy which they are now continuing.  “I am not the first in my family to join the military. I am joining a long line of family members in service. It’s a family business,” said Cadet Cameron Cloutier. In […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp walked away from branch orientation enlightened and excited, August 8.  Branch orientation is an opportunity for Cadets to learn about the different branches of the Army from non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers in those branches. It may be the first time that Cadets are exposed to the array of potential careers available to them after they commission.  Cadet Emily Heil, attending Murray State University, decided to attend the special operations branch brief because of a pamphlet she had received.  “I am studying medicine at my university,” said Heil. “Apparently there is […]

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. – 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets graduated on Brooks Field August 6 after completing Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Cadets completed numerous exercises to build themselves not only as leaders and teammates, but also to build their confidence in themselves and each other. After graduating and officially completing their training, Cadets expressed their feelings after walking off of Brooks Field. One Cadet was excited to demonstrate their skills learned throughout camp. “Just feeling really excited to get out of here and learn with all this knowledge that I’ve learned since I’ve been here. This is […]

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 […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNNzeYQXSfU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – After being trained in Army fundamentals for the past month, 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets had the opportunity to engage with Cadre – and even some equipment – during branch orientation, August 4. For most Cadets, finding a branch that interested them was not so difficult. One Cadet from Norfolk State University plans to pursue a career in the medical services branch because of his passion for medicine and serving others. “Growing up I had family that served in the medical field. I am studying medicine in school right now,” said Cadet Nathan Foster. “I […]

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 […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVrJrDR9tmQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Fourth Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets put their marching skills to the test today during the platoon and regimental drill and ceremony (D&C) competition. Cadets competed in two different competition; a platoon-level D&C competition, where the six platoons from 4th Regiment performed in front of Cadre who chose the wining platoon, and a regimental D&C competition, where Cadets are individually competing to win. Over the past 28 days, Cadets learned Army customs and courtesies, how to march and conduct themselves in a professional manner. “The purpose of this competition was to test the culmination of everything […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZlGrPxV5lU[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets tackled the team development course (TDC) as part of their leadership development, August 3. The course evaluates Cadets on their ability to plan and execute objectives in simulated tactical scenarios with limited resources. The TDC is challenging as it requires Cadets to remain cohesive within their squads. “Everyone has different ideas and is capable of different movements,” said Cadet Christy Morales, attending the University of Central Arkansas. “We eventually got specific people to do specific things and others just followed as needed.” Throughout the course, squad leadership rotates giving more […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG_zAZ_2GNE[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 6th Regiment, Basic Camp spent the day at the range to get the first-time experience of sighting and shooting their M4 rifles. This training may seem basic to many, but it reinforces the idea that no matter where the Cadets end up, they are a rifleman first. Eastern Washington University Cadet Justin Mebes, may not be new to shooting, but his take on the mantra, “Every Soldier, a rifleman,” drew an interesting comparison to another. “I want to be a Ranger,” Mebes said. “My dad was a Ranger, and they say that […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4uEox8Cw7c[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — Every Cadet comes to a point where they may not be able to push any further, but, as the Basic Camp Cadets learned, that’s when the motivation from those behind them can push them beyond their limits. The Obstacle Course 6th Regiment took on today was filled with challenges of varying difficulty, that tested the Cadets physical and mental abilities. After they completed all of the obstacles, Cadets took a moment to reflect on what they had faced and how they were able to push past those difficulties. Cadet Lacy Pemberton, from Virginia Wesleyan […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUV-GzOa37c[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 5th Regiment of Basic Camp were introduced to battle drills in preparation for their upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX). Cadets started in a classroom setting, Cadre drawing battle drills on paper like plays on a whiteboard in a basketball game. They then moved out into the field, putting their newfound skills to the test; drill after drill after drill, the Cadets practiced flanking maneuvers and battle tactics. Cadre Strive to Help The Cadets are taught by a wide variety of people, enlisted and commissioned alike. “The lieutenants are super helpful,” Cadet Emily […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v14e-c37SW0[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — Going into the field for the first time for Field Training Exercise (FTX) may be scary, but Cadre made sure the Cadets were ready. Fire Team Movement works as a refresher course for the Cadets, but also as a way for Cadre to know the Cadets know the basics like the back of their hands. That way they don’t have to worry about forgetting anything when the real test begins. Cadet Ivan Torres, of Rowlett, Texas, noted that these basics are things he and the Cadets should be able to do automatically, and the […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky. — 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets attended Branch Orientation at Keyes Park July 30 during Cadet Summer Training. “We are at Branch Day. So, we are getting an opportunity to visit with representatives from each of the basic branches that we may choose or put on our lists after we commission,” said Cadet Karen Yurek, Queens University of Charlotte. Master Sgt. Christopher Parker, Senior Military Instructor at Florida International University, explained that Cadets have a certain number of branches they must visit. “They’ll have nine rotations in which two of the rotations they must visit the Reserve […]

  FORT KNOX, Ky. — 5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets learned how to group and zero their M-4 rifles at Morgan Riley Range July 26 during Cadet Summer Training. “We started with grouping and zeroing. Grouping is just get all of your shots to be together in a little group – hence grouping. Zeroing is just trying to get them as close to the center of the target as possible,” explained Cadet Gregory Cottrell, Virginia Commonwealth University. When explaining what group and zero was, Cadets created a few different similes. One Cadet found that group and zero could be explained in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets progressed through training as they were introduced to Small Unit Tactics July 25 at Mill Creek Range during Cadet Summer Training. “We just went through the IMT lanes (Individual Movement Tactics) that’s basically you moving in the buddy system. The first buddy is supposed to yell out ‘Cover me while I move,’” explained Cadet Tanner Delphin, Northwestern State University. “They move and the other buddy is supposed to simulate cover fire and once that first buddy who moved is set, they’ll say ‘Set.’ Then the buddy who was laying down cover fire […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — First Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets graduated today, completing the final event of their 31 days of training. Cadets sent to Basic Camp learned about different Soldier and leadership skills they will need as future Army Officers. “Basic Camps purpose is to give people who are interested in the Army a start,” Cadet Celeste Doiron, from Monument, Colorado, and attending California Polytechnic State University, said. “It kind of gives them a taste of the Army and [helps them decide] if it is something they want to do in the future.” “Get Up There and Lead”  Some Cadets came […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMobnb97XqE[/embedyt]   FORT KNOX, Ky. — Family Day has finally arrived for 1st Regiment Basic Camp, and it was filled with many smiles and tearful reunions. Basic Camp Cadets have been here at Fort Knox for 30 days. In that time, this is the first time Cadets got to see their families again since they left home. Cadet James Graves, from White Haven Pennsylvania, said he had been counting down the days until this day. And that waking up today had felt weird. “You’re always thinking about when you get to see them and counting down the days till that […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 4th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets studied and performed practical application of first aid and care under fire July 20 during Cadet Summer Training. “We’re learning how to do combat first aid, apply tourniquets, work with chest wounds, stopping bleeding, detecting burning, and any other first aid needs to get someone help before the medic could arrive,” stated Cadet Chad Crook, Western Oregon University. Cadets were presented with a hypothetical scenario where a Cadet and their battle buddy are on patrol and are suddenly under fire. Then the battle buddy is hit, explained Cadet Brooke Thompson, Westminster College […]