University and company representatives from all over the nation came to Fort Knox this week to catch a glimpse of Cadet life. The Purpose Centers of Influence (COIs) are universities and companies that the U.S. Army deems influential in the lives of the youth. These COIs are beneficial in reaching out to and drawing in potential Cadets. Inviting them out them out to Fort Knox each year, Cadet Command allows these deans of universities and heads of companies to learn about the ROTC program and become part of it, even if only for a few days. “These are educators, marketers, folks […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3WhA9dREc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “This training is important because, you need to be prepared with whatever the Army throws at you. You need to adapt and overcome,” said Cadet Savannah Mercado, from the University of Southern California. Today, Cadets from the 3rd Regiment Advanced Camp learned how to do this when they endured the Chemical, Biological Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) chamber. The chemical used at CBRN is tear gas; when unprotected, it specifically irritates the skin, respiratory system and eyes. There were several different stations Cadets visited to learn how to properly don their mask and suit. “The instructors here […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAwCJqdPRBc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — While the rain may have added more challenge for 4th Regiment Cadets at this morning’s Weapons Qualification, they embraced it with open arms. 2nd Lt. Samuel Tease was one of the Fort Knox Cadre overseeing the event and he noted that while Weapon’s Qualification isn’t new, having the training at the pop-up is. “We did it last year, but it was a non-qualifying event,” Tease said. “I think they realized the pop-ups gave more dynamic training than stationary targets. So, by having a way for Cadets train at varying distances with a more realistic situation. […]

“The range is hot,” yelled different Cadre as the Cadets began firing their rifles.  Last week, 4th Regiment completed Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) training where they familiarized themselves with their M4 Carbines.  Today, they gathered at Canby Hill Range to zero their rifles. For some Cadets, zeroing their weapon is an unfamiliar skill they have yet to practice, but many Cadets from the 4th Regiment have had a wide-range of experience with rifles.  Today allowed each Cadet to make adjustments to zero their weapon, based on the shots they fired at a target. Cadet Sinai Erazo arrived at Fort Knox around […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM9d2Zvh_yc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. — “Being brave is not about not being afraid of anything. It is about being afraid of something and going through with it anyway,” said 1st Sgt. Justin Davis, as he stood in front of the 64-foot rappel tower here. Cadets from the 2nd Regt., Advanced Camp took on the daunting tower, in what some say is the one event Cadets dread most about CST. Before Cadets conquer the rappel tower, they first learned to tie a swiss seat which is how Cadets rappelled the wall and free-fell. “[The swiss seat], is a super tight knot […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJlF-4DeDAM[/embedyt] “My favorite part about this training is that you are not limited to how many bullets you get to shoot,” said Stacey Estrada, from Weber State University, “If you are not doing so great and you need extra practice, we have the supply here to keep practicing and to keep getting better.” And practice they did.  For the last two days Cadets from the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp shot round, after round, after round improving their shooting skills at the George Blair Shooting Range. All their practice leads to their weapons qualification tomorrow. Fort Knox uses a location of […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFCJY15WUIM[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY. – “These are just basic Soldier skills that everyone in the Army just needs to know,” said Cadet Joseph Marcos, from Seton Hall University, “Not everyone is going to be in combat but you may find yourself in that position where you may have to execute some of these tasks.” Cadets started the day by practicing with mock hand grenades then moved on to live hand grenades. After learning how to operate one, 2nd Regtiment Advanced Camp Cadets learned how to use it to their advantage. Once Cadets completed these two trainings, they went down to […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8MZcQbE3lQ[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Delta Co., 3rdRegiment Cadets went through the Confidence Course yesterday, June 8, with the motivation of their squad encouraging them the whole way. The Course The Confidence Course is made up of nine different obstacles meant to challenge the Cadets’ strength, both physical and mental. Each obstacle presents a new problem to overcome, and some are harder than others. Whether it’s climbing a rope to scoot across wooden planks or swinging yourself up onto a log, all encompass their own difficulties. The nine obstacles are The Tough One (known as being the most difficult), […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5QkXVfclLs[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Delta Co., 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets lead their way through the Field Leader Reaction Course yesterday, June 6. The Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) puts Cadets, separated into squads, through obstacles that are modeled after situations that Soldiers have come across in historical American wars. To successfully complete an obstacle, the Cadets must get specific equipment through, as well as each squad member. With each new obstacle, a new Squad Leader is appointed. This offers a change in team dynamic with each different challenge. Some leaders take charge, others try to open more […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1QV_lBkji8[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Leading people is hard, but leading your peers is even harder as the Cadets of 3rd Regiment found out today at the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC). The FLRC training the Cadets tackled was a course that was comprised of 12 different obstacles of which the Cadets are asked to attempt and or complete six. The idea behind these obstacles is to build teamwork between these Cadets who have only known each other for about 72 hours, as this is the first time the Cadets get to face a problem as a unit rather than […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ow2VHG__nE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Alpha and Bravo Co., 2nd Regiment Cadets, tested their night land navigation skills late Sunday night on Ft. Knox. Cadets were given a map with two points that they were to find. Points are marked with orange and white, reflective signs posted on a stake. To pass, and this is a must-pass event, they only need to find one of those points within the two-hour time limit. To make RECONDO, they need to find both points within that time limit on their first try. Along with the map, Cadets are given a compass and […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGT2lee3de8[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Randy has been shot and the Cadets have one chance to save him. Cadets from 2nd Regiment went to Heard Park today to complete their Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3), more commonly known as First Aid, testing. The training focused on evaluating a casualty, going through the proper steps of treating the mannequin, Rescue Randy, and transporting him to a location where he can receive more in-depth treatment. Maj. Joshua Conroy of the 3rd Bn., 414th Inf. Regt., was one of the Army Reservists from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington who oversaw the training. […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFFJ-reRAAE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – During today’s briefing of the Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC), Lt. Col. Daniel Gregory asked Advanced Camp Cadets from Bravo Company, 2nd Regiment to raise their hands if they thought they would successfully complete all the obstacles their squad faced. Many of them confidently raised their hands, laughing with their squad members. Some of those Cadets would soon find out there is one obstacle that has yet to be beat – the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The FLRC is an event that happens within the first few days of Cadet Summer Training (CST). This course […]

Cadets in Alpha Company, 1st Regiment Advanced Camp fired the first rounds of Cadet Summer Training 2019 today at Canby Hill Range as part of Basic Rifle Marksmanship training. Following a day of Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction, the Cadets moved to the range to fire their M4 Carbine at a target 25-meters away.  This is the first step in weapons qualification, a must pass event for camp graduation. Today’s Group and Zero range trains Cadets to zero their weapon by grouping their shots as close together as possible. After receiving instruction from their Cadre, they took to the range to put yesterday’s […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUCnR2CX6k4[/embedyt] Six continuous miles, 35 extra pounds on their back and layer upon layer of gear. To any person in the general public, this just sounds like a hiking trip that some crazy nature-lover might take. To the Cadets, though, this is their first ruck march of the summer: the six-mile. Throughout their time at camp, Cadets will undergo a six-mile, eight-mile and twelve-mile ruck march. The six-mile is the only must-pass ruck, in which cadets have two hours to complete the ruck or they will not be able to continue at camp. The other two rucks are purely based […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzM8-BpwDIg[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) is just the beginning of the cornerstone skill for every Soldier in the United States Army, rifle marksmanship. Cadets from 1st Regiment Alpha and Bravo companies met with Cadre from U.S. Army 4th Regiment Infantry Division for PMI, the beginning portion of Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) training. Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Kirkendall, a military science and ROTC instructor at West Virginia State University but a cavalry scout by trade, gave a brief overview of what PMI included. All Cadets would leave the training today being able to use weapon systems, disassemble […]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMek7uvk0yg[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from the 1st Regiment filed into formation behind the Copple Center today for Cadet Summer Training (CST) Advanced Camp inprocessing. Once inside the Copple Center, Cadets pass through seven different stations: including arrival at CST and CCIMS, listing special guests that might be coming to graduation, Cadet payment information and issues, verifying travel arrangements in Defense Travel System (DTS) after CST, confirming emergency data information, and a few other administrative stations. “We double check to make sure all their pay information is included, their scholarship payments, and if there’s any issues, they will be […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — “CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, so what we’re training these cadets here to do is to react primarily to a chemical and biological attack,” 2nd Lt. Johnathan Marcelli said about CBRN training. Marcelli is a recent graduate and commissionee from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He will be joining the 59th Chemical Company in Fort Drum, New York. He is one of many who have traveled far and wide to train this year’s Cadets. CBRN training takes Cadets through a few different stations, including a hands-on teaching session that covers eight critical tasks, a […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – For the majority of Cadets that come through Fort Knox for Cadet Summer Training, both Basic and Advanced Camp serve as their first real look at what to expect as an Army Officer. For two cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, however, the journey to commissioning has been seven, even 12 years in the making. While the average age for a commissioned 2nd Lt. ranges between 21 and 23, these two Cadets are redefining what it means to be young commissioned officers. With two days left before 10th Regiment bids farewell to Fort Knox, Cadet Darren Fossett, Shippensburg University, reflected […]

THE STORY OF THE FIRST ORTHODOX JEW AT ADVANCED CAMP AT FT KNOX FORT KNOX, Ky.— Cadet Michael (Aryeh) Urist from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, carries more than the standard weight in his rucksack during his time at Cadet Summer Training. Urist carries a week’s worth of MRE’s and the pressure of maintaining his religion in the field. Urist is an Orthodox Jew, meaning he adheres to the Torah. He follows strict jewish law on Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath. He is the first Orthodox Jew to complete Advanced Camp since camp has been hosted at Fort Knox. He eats a kosher […]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp role-played as the Opposing Forces, also known as OPFOR, during Field Training Exercises, FTX, Aug. 5 at Area of Operation Panther. The OPFOR Cadets were conducting a defense mission against American forces that are trying to take the mortar tubes they have at the OPFOR patrol base. This helps the Cadets who are the American forces learn how to properly carry out and complete an objective and mission. Also, it teaches the OPFOR cadets proper defense techniques when they are in the offensive side. Prior enlisted Cadet Mike Powell, from University of […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Delta Company, bound forward! Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp navigated their way through FTX this morning August 6, 2018. In order to have a successful Field Training Exercise, Cadets must communicate well with each other and correctly prepare for their mission. Whether the mission is an assault, a retreat or a defense. Cadets from Delta Company faced the Opposing Forces while planning an attack on the objective, Olympia. What was originally planned as a deliberate attack, but due to making contact during the leader’s recon, it turned into a hasty attack. Cadet Matt Wilder, The Citadel, was […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — We ruck through life trying to figure out the lessons along the way, hoping we are becoming a better version of ourselves. Cadets from 9thRegiment, Advanced Camp reflect on why they’re at Cadet Summer Training and what they’ve learned during Field Exercise Training. Today, the Cadets originally planned to conduct a hasty attack. Cadets set up a defensive position and switch over to an offensive position. However, things change. “We did get ambushed,” Cadet Lauren Martinez, University of Kentucky, said. “So…that changes the plan, right? We have to think on our feet.” Field Training Exercises throw curveballs […]

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.– As tents were lined up side by side with basic branch Officers within them, Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp went touring for the many options that the Army has to offer. Within these tents, many Combat Arms including Field Artillery, Infantry and Engineers were beginning to fill up with young and ambitious female Cadets. January 2016 marked a day in history lifting since the ban on women joining combat branches. This achievement allowed female Soldiers to fight next to their male counterparts and equally participate in any event within the Army. “The Military is based on wars […]