FORT KNOX, Ky. – Silence. For the Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp the most soul-piercing moment about their Field Training Exercise does not come from the chaos of enemy fire, but from the nothingness that inhabits the silence. Waking up at the crack of dawn, the Cadets take their posts inside the Central Command Base, located deep in the Kentucky wilderness. They form a circular perimeter around the base and sit as the silence fills the calm, cool air. Thoughts begin to wander, drifting towards the coming storm – the inevitable attack from the Opposing Force troops. With each passing moment the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Basic Camp participated in a Drill & Ceremony competition on August 2. D&C consists of the proper way to move and hold oneself while in formation. The competition is a new addition to Cadet Summer Training this year. Cadet Jamie Bridenstine, who completed Advanced Camp this summer, is working as a Military Science III trainer at Basic Camp. Bridenstine, a student at the University of Wyoming, stated that D&C builds discipline and helps people work as a team. She went through Basic Camp in 2016. “We focused on D&C but it wasn’t to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp conducted a raid on July 30, during the third and final phase of Field Training Exercises: the Grizzly phase. During the Grizzly phase, also known as the run phase, the Cadets conduct the missions themselves as opposed to being guided through them by Cadre like in the Wolverine (crawl) and Panther (walk) phases. Cadet Marc Venditti, University of South Florida, the platoon leader for yesterday’s mission, explained that he utilizes the chain of command to communicate with his platoon. He gives information to his squad leaders, who pass it on to their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp huddled around cell phone cameras before camp graduation on July 26, trying to see how their group photos with fellow Cadets turned out. 2nd Lt. Kasey Greenfield, a graduate of Texas A&M University, noticed an extraordinary difference in the demeanor of a lot of the Cadets – particularly their sense of pride – between the beginning of camp and graduation. Towards the end of camp, Greenfield stated, “a lot of them would stand up straighter,” and just wear the uniform a little differently. Between the homesickness, drill sergeants, and physical standards [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Maps, protractors, and binoculars covered the fold-out tables set out before Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp for a Call for Fire Trainer on July 25. Following 45 minutes of instruction, they had two hours to practice their skills in preparation for a must-pass 20-minute test. Additional time was set aside for retraining and retesting. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Kruse explained that the purpose of today’s training is to teach Cadets how to call for, and more specifically adjust, indirect fire. Direct fire is used when the target is within the sight range of a Soldier’s weapon [...]

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. – Often in life we are forced to climb on in situations of hardship, while in other moments we must decide to take a blind leap and hope that all our preparation will lead to a graceful landing. The Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp learned that great obstacles in their lives can be not only mentally challenging, but also physically demanding, as they took on the Rappel Tower and Confidence Course during Cadet Summer Training 2018. Most people started their morning rolling out of bed and enjoying things like the morning news, a nice breakfast, and a [...]

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. – Grab your Battle Buddy and join the Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp as they march into the Kentucky wilderness in search of at least 3 of 5 different checkpoints, as part of their Land Navigation exercise. The challenge of the mission stems from being strapped for time, with only having three hours allotted, and having to engage in precise map reading skills. The Cadets rely on one another as they count steps and keep their heads on a swivel, staying alert as they look for the distinguishable orange markers in the deep green foliage. Following a safety [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – This morning Cadets from 6th Regiment, Basic Camp took the Army Physical Fitness Test, which consists of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run. The Cadets must try to complete as many push-ups and sit-ups in the allotted time and run two miles as fast as they can. Cadet Jhordyn McWhorter, a student at Marion Military Institute, said they have undergone corrective training at Basic Camp to correct and improve form, as well as to enhance endurance, in preparation for the APFT. She described corrective training as good for team building, adding [...]

Fort Knox, Kentucky – Cadets from Alpha Company,1st Regiment, Basic Camp, were  accompanied by visiting Centers of Influence on June 13th, while overcoming their fear of heights at the Forrest Hills Complex. The Forest Hills Complex contains a three-part High Ropes Confidence Course, which includes a ropes course, alpine tower, and rock wall. The course is meant to instill self-confidence as well as encourage Cadets to trust their battle buddies and equipment. “Overcoming their fears gives them an opportunity to build confidence. It’ll help them as they move forward through life,” said Brig. Gen. John Evans, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command, [...]

FORT KNOX, KY – On June 6th, Basic Camp Cadets with 1stRegiment arrived at reception. As the Cadets exited the bus, they were instructed to not step on the grass while making their way to first formation. Sgt. 1stClass Otero stated, “If you are stepping on the grass, it symbolizes that you cut corners in your work.” The Cadre want to prepare these Cadets for success, by teaching them to go the extra mile. The Cadets began a layout of all their belongings, and were checked for contraband. They also had the opportunity to check in valuables for safe keeping during [...]