Three Cadets, Vittorio Divalentin (left) from Virginia Tech, Annika Smylie (center) from Idaho State University, and Kyla McKim (right) from Drexel University, assigned to 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp of Cadet Summer Training discuss different aspects of Field Training Exercise (FTX) and offer some advice to future Cadets during their FTX at Fort Knox, Ky.

“Electric. I felt no muscle fatigue, nothing,” said Cadet Trevor Corso, from George Mason University.  This invigorating feeling stemmed from the encouragement he received as he raced against his peers of 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, toward the final challenge of the Beaudoin Obstacle Course.  The course consisted of 13 events designed to test physical capability and boost morale.  “I was up there motivating everybody. I loved the energy coming back to me too,” Corso said. “Giving everybody high-fives on both sides coming through, because they knew I was the last one.”  Corso was the final member of his squad to attempt [...]

“Without the support of commands like Cadet Summer Training here at Fort Knox, we don’t have the blood that we need and we find that here,” Navy Capt. Leslie Riggs, the Division Chief for the Armed Services Blood Program said.  Riggs became devoted to the program after discovering the challenge of continuing the blood supply. “I want to ensure that our military members that go down range come back,” Riggs said. “They are given the best possible opportunity if they’re injured, that they get the ability to come back to their families.” Cadet William Koleszar from Liberty University saw the importance [...]

“Oh my gosh, my blood is pumping. I’m ecstatic. Over there, I was yelling ‘Can we do it again?’ I want to do it again. It was so much fun,” Cadet Nicole Darland from the University of Kentucky said.  1st Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets, complete the Night Infiltration Course. This is a confidence building training exercise where Cadets crawl a 100 meters while live ammunition is fired over their heads and simulated explosions erupt on the ground around them.   While some Cadets felt nervous, Darland felt nothing but excitement to tackle the course. “I was kind of excited. I didn’t know [...]

Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp completed the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), which allows them to practice firing their weapons in a simulation environment before they attempt a live qualification at the shooting range. For many of these Cadets, this will be the very first time they are firing a weapon. “I’ve never really shot a weapon before, but now that I’ve had my cadre helping me out with trying to perfect my shooting I feel a lot more confident,” Cadet Madison Howard from Clemson University said.  Howard recently transferred from the Air Force to Army ROTC where she is experiencing [...]

Nothing less than “Leadership Excellence” is expected of ROTC Cadets as they train to undertake the responsibility of becoming a U.S. Army Officer.  For Cadet Esther Njoki, from Truman State University, leadership is a familiar concept, with Army ROTC being only one of various leadership roles that she assumes. “I’m originally from Kenya and this is my ninth year in America,” said Njoki. “I’m a biology pre-med and I’m a codirector of an orphanage back in Uganda.”  The orphanage, located in Kirembe, Uganda, supports 200 children, providing them with food and education.  “It’s not just an orphanage for children who don’t [...]

Special Awards Recipients AUSA Leadership Excellence Award This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by Regimental cadre board. Cadet Andrew Williamson, University of Central Missouri First Command Financial Services Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the leadership traits necessary to encourage teamwork, improve unit cohesion, and reinforce mission accomplishment. Cadet Kingsley Ezeokonkwo, Georgia Southern University USAA Warrior Ethos Award This award is presented to the Cadet who best demonstrates the Army Profession, Ethics, and Officership while best exemplifying the warrior spirit. Cadet Austin Scavello, West Chester University Armed Forces Bank [...]

Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC) at Fort Knox, Ky. This course allowed Cadets to work as a team to complete each obstacle while building leadership skills. “I think it’s definitely important to work as a team. We first came up to this obstacle, none of us really knew how to get across it or what our plan was, but each person kind of had a different idea and together that made us more successful in completing this obstacle,” Guidi said.  Cadet Hannah Guidi from Boston University and her squad completed the barrel roll [...]

“I’m kind of nervous because I generally have a weak stomach, but I’m also excited because it’s something that all soldiers do, and I haven’t done it yet, so I want to get it done,” DeCristofaro said. 6th Regiment Cadets participated in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) training as part of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Cadet Marissa DeCristofaro from Sacramento State had never experienced the confidence chamber before.  “I don’t want to throw up. I think that’s what I’m most worried about is throwing up,” DeCristofaro said. On the other hand, Cadet Chandler Ard from the University [...]

The ACFT (Army Combat Fitness Test) took place in the early hours of Memorial Day, with Cadets from 1st Regiment challenged to complete the six-event test. According to Capt. Rob Haight, a chaplain present for the test, this is the first time that many Cadets are facing the ACFT at Cadet Summer Training (CST).   The ACFT is a relatively new addition to the Army’s physical fitness program. “It’s been in the planning phases for about two or three years now. They just made the final changes to it and it’ll become [on October First] the standard record for physical fitness,” [...]