Fort Knox, Ky. – The stars were out; the crickets were chirping and 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets were rucking. At 4 a.m. the Cadets were lined up and began the six-mile ruck march. “It is good to be out here with all of my buddies, I have made some really good friendships thus far and I love a really good (physical training) session,” Cadet Dylan Vansickell from Little Silver, New Jersey, and a student at Stevens Institute of Technology said. “A six-mile ruck to start the morning [makes for] a good day.” The Cadets used this time in a variety [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyFK2DV53E[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – For 37 days, 3rd Regiment Cadets have been working on completing Advanced Camp here at Fort Knox, Ky. Today, the Cadets celebrated the end of their journeys at Cadet Summer Training (CST) by reuniting with family and friends. Cadets practiced for tomorrow’s graduation on Brooks Field while family and friends were briefed on Advanced Camp in Waybur Theater. At the end of rehersal, Cadets were released to waiting parents, friends, and significant others. “My family is pretty important to me, so it is nice to see them,” Cadet Cochise Wanzer, from McLean, Virginia, and attending [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqKGF7S5DbM[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, KY –Tenth Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets arrived Sunday afternoon at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Day Zero to start their Cadet Summer Training (CST). About 600 Cadets arrived to start their 37 days of CST. Upon arrival, Cadets began with checking-in, organizing and accounting for their belongings. Over the course of the next 37 days, 10th Regiment Cadets will take part in various events such as the Rappel Tower, the Land Navigation course, Field Training Exercises (FTX), the CBRN Confidence Chamber, Hand Grenades and Weapons Qualification. What Cadets will learn most, though, is to hone in on their leadership [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5uVQYUon0E[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — 9th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets got the chance to learn the terrain, test out strategies and knock off the Land Navigation (Land Nav) rust that built up after the spring semester ended at the Land Nav Refresher. Land Nav Refresher requires Cadets to plot and locate two points in two hours with a map, protractor and compass. This is meant to help simulate the actual test the Cadets will be facing the following morning. However, this refresher is less strict, in that it allows Cadets to assist each other and ask questions of the Cadre. [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4lIBFXJ7TM[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — A day after Fort Knox celebrated Independence Day with fireworks, 7th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets practiced with a very different kind of explosive – hand grenades. Once Cadets at Christensen Hand Grenade Range learned how to handle hand grenades, they completed the Hand Grenade Qualifications Course. In order to simulate combat conditions, Cadets maneuvered their lane, rushing forward before low or high crawling to cover. They climbed up over walls, before throwing a grenade from different positions. Cadets had 7 grenades to engage 6 targets. Unlike live hand grenade training, Cadets use dummy grenades while [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrD-cflDsEA[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 6th Regiment of Advanced Camp entered into their third day in the field this morning, July 6. Spending their days in classes, these Cadets are preparing for their next FTX (Field Training Exercise) site where they will be leading ambushes and attacks. Field Work “It’s going. It’s hot, but it’s going,” Cadet Alexis Molina, from Schererville, Indiana, and attending Purdue University, said. “So far we’ve taken a bunch of classes, just refreshers before actually heading into our big FTXs where we get evaluated.” Molina’s platoon went through their first field mission today, [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Motivation to complete Advanced Camp comes from different places for each Cadet. Today, during the group and zeroing range 8th Regiment Cadets share motivation to train from celebrating the nation’s birthday together. “There is no better way to celebrate this country than to be training and doing something for the purpose of this country,” Cadet Benjamin Thornton, from Mount Washington Kentucky, who attends Western Kentucky University, said. Cadets were able to celebrate with traditional Fourth of July food, such as hot dogs and hamburgers despite missing family traditions. “A few us of while we were falling asleep [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1luPUcx_CSE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Throwing live hand grenades is one of the most dangerous things Cadets can do, and so the Cadre make sure Cadets from 7th Regiment Advanced Camp are prepared before ever handling a live hand grenade. Cadets are brought to the Christensen Hand Grenade Range and begin to learn the safety procedures that are paramount to making sure that they stay safe. From the proper steps of arming to the action of throwing, Cadets go through this training upwards of 40-50 times, according to Capt. Jason Rivard. Rivard, a Cadre member from California State University at [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mczUHvjdUKU[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Second Regiment Cadets are closing out their time at Advanced Camp as they graduate tomorrow. Today the Cadets were reunited with family and friends whom they haven’t seen for the duration of their time here at Fort Knox. Anxious and awaiting family members and friends filled Waybur Theater for a quick overview of Cadet Summer Training before being released to see their Cadets. While family and friends received an introduction to Advanced Camp and learned of all their accomplishments, Cadets practiced on Brooks Field for their upcoming graduation ceremony tomorrow. Right before noon the doors [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3Pp3ce6VE[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Seventh Regiment Cadets spent the day hoping to hit the mark at George Blair Range for weapons qualification. For some Cadets, this morning was nerve-racking while for others like Cleveland State University Cadet David Kullik, from North Olmsted, Ohio, this was a morning full of excitement. “I am actually really excited,” Kullik said. “It is always fun to throw rounds down range and be with your friends. It is fun testing yourself. Marksmanship is an important soldiering skill, everyone needs to know it. It is really fun to put it to the test and compete [...]

FORT KNOX, KY – Third Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets arrived Monday afternoon at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Day Zero to start their Cadet Summer Training (CST). On the day of arrival, Cadets began with checking-in, organizing and accounting for their equipment. Belongings were checked to ensure the safety of the Cadets, and to make sure they did not bring any contraband items. Cadre went through these procedures to get the Cadets ready to set up their lockers and make sure everything is squared away. As Cadets arrived the air was filled with many different emotions. Some Cadets were excited for the [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – “By virtue of the fact that you are all sitting here right now means you are infinitely successful,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Gregory, from The University of Hawaii, to the Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Bravo Company. “You have different experiences and backgrounds which means that you have a different way of viewing the world based on those prior experiences.” 8th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets had to work in squads to complete the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC), this morning, as part of their leadership development. “So far, the only thing Cadets have had to do [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XykzDVmKtsc[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment arrived yesterday and geared up today for the upcoming training events that make up Advanced Camp. “I am pretty excited,” Cadet Reilly Andresen, from Brookings, South Dakota, who attends South Dakota State University, said. “We are on day two so we haven’t done a whole lot yet, but we are about to get into it all.” The Cadets went through Central Issue Facility (CIF) where they received gear they needed and inspected their bags for deficiencies in their equipment. The goal of the day is to ensure Cadets are prepared for [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – A desolate confidence course is abruptly rushed by 5th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets ready to train, June 27. The confidence course involves a series of obstacles Cadets complete with their battle buddies prior to braving the rappel tower. “They are tested on three primary competencies: confidence, courage, and teamwork,” said Capt. Patrick O’Neil, from Central Michigan University. “It’s about maintaining squad integrity and encouraging each other.” 5th Regiment Cadets were by no means short on encouragement. While they waited for their turn to attempt each obstacle, Cadets cheered for their battle buddies who were completing their attempts. “It’s pretty [...]

  For the first three weeks of Advanced Camp, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets of 1st Regiment established a trusting relationship with each other. They worked together to accomplish feats such as rappelling down a 64-foot tower and walking through a chamber filled with CS gas during Cadet Summer Training (CST). Then, 40 United States Military Academy (USMA) Cadets were suddenly integrated into several platoons of 1st regiment for the Field Training Exercise (FTX) portion of Advanced Camp. As part of an initiative to unite the two commissioning sources, USMA at West Point Cadets arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky to [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Cadets give up a lot to be here at Advanced Camp. One Cadet is missing time with his son and watching him to grow. Cadet Alexander Graham is from Gainesville, Florida, and is attending the University of South Carolina. The 5th regiment Cadet enlisted in the Army in 2015 after earning his undergraduate degree in business. “I joined the Army after getting an undergraduate degree because it was tough to find work at home and I come from a military family,” Graham said. “My father was in the Army and retired after 20 years, my brother is [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Living out in the woods for several days brings out a whole new side of people. Cadets in the 3rd regiment are hoping the three-part training Field training Exercise (FTX) will showcase their leadership abilities. The FTX is broken up into three phases. The ‘crawl, walk, run’ model allows Cadets to learn and practice the tactical and leadership skills being assessed. The Panther Phase is the ‘walk’ phase of the training, during which Cadets are actively being evaluated. The exercises allow Cadets to fill various leadership roles as well as practice tactics, regardless of what the weather [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yMPg0P6lRw[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Basic Camp Cadets begin their first steps in their training in the classroom to gain helpful tips in overcoming the ahead. Jon Walker is the Lead Performance Expert at Fort Knox and one of the leaders from the R2, Ready and Resilient, Performance Center running the 1st Regiment Basic Camp Cadets’ Performance Training. Described by Walker as, “PT for the mind,” this training focuses on five mental toughening skills to help the Cadets prepare for their month here at basic camp. Confidence, concentration, composure, goal setting/motivation and integrated imagery are all things the Cadets are [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – It was a sunny morning on the George Blair Range for the 5th regiment Cadets at weapons qualification today. The Cadets shot at pop-targets with the goal of shooting 23 out of the 40 targets, at a minimum. For some Cadets, this was a first exposure to pop-up targets. For Cadet Justin Larson from St. Simons Island, Georgia, who attends the University of Georgia, shooting at pop-up targets was a completely new experience. “This is my first time shooting on a pop-up range,” Larson said. “Honestly, I was nervous because I had never qualified on a pop-up [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Six miles, two aching feet, 35 plus pounds, and Cadets of 5th Regiment only needed one thing to push them forward, each other. The six-mile road march is the first of three different marches the Cadets will be tasked with over the course of Cadet Summer training. The time limit to complete the event was two hours. For those aiming for Recondo the time to beat was 1 hour and 30 minutes. Lt. Col. Jack Toohey from Ohio State University was one of the Cadre who rucked with the Cadets, but he had an added task. He [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLZIqxixX9Q[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Three words dictate Army training: crawl, walk and run, three words that became very important to the Cadets of 3rd Regiment today at first aid training. Staff Sgt. Christopher Jackson, of the 3-414th Training Battalion, noted on one of the injuries the Cadets may be faced with in the field is a hemorrhaging femoral artery, a major vessel that carries blood through the thigh. Should this happen the casualty has approximately 60 seconds to live. Cadets are given several demonstrations and chances to see how to deal with this kind of injury so that in [...]

[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=OMWMvid0Z10[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — Weather may have kept 3rd Regiment Delta Company out of the confidence chamber, but it did not keep them from learning. While the Confidence Chamber may be the exciting part of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense training, 3rd Regiment Delta Company learned there was a lot more that went into CBRN and what it means for the Army. Staff Sgt. Scott Dimmick of the 22nd CBRNE (Explosive) unit out of Fort Bliss, Texas, oversaw the training today. “I think it’s important for the Cadets to learn, so if they choose to go CBRN [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Wednesday, May 22, Cadet Summer Training Cadre refined their fundamentals at the George Blair Live Fire Range.  They are sharpening their skills for when the Cadets come to CST. The Cadre focused on the basics of marksmanship for the training. They focused on getting into position, how to be sturdy in the position and finally how to execute shots up to 300 meters away. “It helps our self-confidence because I know what I am doing and everyone knowns what I am doing; we just need to hone in our skills,” said Spc. Zachary Hauk. “It helps to [...]