­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After finishing up their field training exercises, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in an early morning 10K road march during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 10, 2023. The Cadets spent two days out in the field for the FTX, then woke up at around 2:30 a.m. to march a little over six miles back to the barracks. Once the road march was over, Cadet Grant Schaefer from Norwich University said that he had a good experience and felt motivated and energized. “It was cool to see everyone doing it all together,” Schaefer [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After sleeping outside in the early morning hours, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the field training exercises during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 8, 2023. The FTX lanes simulate real-life tactical scenarios that allow Cadets to improve their skills and gain more practical field experience. The three lanes they enact are squad ambush, squad attack and movement to contact. Cadet Racquel Wilson from Florida Atlantic University said that the purpose of these exercises is for Cadets to take what they learned in the classroom and physically put it to the test [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Forest Hills Climbing Complex during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 2, 2023. The FHCC is meant to help Cadets overcome their fears and gain confidence in themselves and their equipment while completing different climbing obstacles. These obstacles include the Moore’s Mountain rock-climbing wall, the Alpine Towers and the Rudder’s Ropes Course. Despite not having any prior experience with climbing, Cadet Amaya Bradford, Towson University, said that she completed the course a lot better than she thought she would. “I was pretty nervous coming up and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp completed the high ropes course at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex on Fort Knox, Ky., August 1, 2023. The high ropes course consists of the Rudder’s Rope Course, two Alpine towers and a rock wall. Each course is designed to help Cadets overcome their fears in a fun and challenging way.  “First, we did the Rudder’s Rope Course which involves a lot of climbing, crawling across ropes and then a little zipline at the end,” said Cadet Jason Dzik, University of Delaware. “Then, we went to these Alpine towers, which is [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, completed their daytime land navigation exercise on Fort Knox, Ky., July 30, 2023. Land navigation acts as a tool to teach Cadets to maneuver through various terrains while locating the intended checkpoints. “Land navigation is the practice of finding where you’re going from your current location,” said Cadet Robert Esgro, Penn State. “We don’t know where we’re going, so every step is a step into the unknown.” This exercise exists so that Cadets can develop their planning skills as well as learn to think more critically about the situations they are [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their land navigation qualification at Fort Knox, Ky., July 28, 2023. Armed with a compass, protractor, pencil, map, and a list of coordinates, the Cadets set out, fueled by determination, to find each of their points in under 4 hours. “Today we’re conducting a day land nav., where we are supposed to find three to four points on the course,” said Cadet David Nevarez, Middle Tennessee State University. “When I first got my points, my goal was to make some type of plan to get from my first point to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, entered the second stage of their Field Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 26, 2023.  Spending a total of 12 days in the field, Cadets complete groups of exercises, which are divided into 3 parts: Wolverine, Panther, and Grizzly. The Cadets are challenged mentally and physically before their skills are graded on the last day.  “We’re on our second mission, on the first day of Panther, and we’re completing an area defense,” said Cadet Phillip Jones, Alabama A&M. “Leadership is still processing the last few parts of our plan to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Armed with only their wits and a gas mask, Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, faced the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear chamber at Fort Knox, Ky. July 24, 2023. Many Cadets go into the chamber to challenge themselves in a different environment by preparing them for possible encounters with toxic substances in the future. “CBRN is the process and the description of being able to defend yourself from chemical warfare or any attack,” said Cadet Taylor Randazzo, Texas State. “We’re learning how to don a pro mask and how to protect ourselves against that chemical warfare [...]

­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, conducted a simulated raid mission as a part of their situational training exercise, known as STX, during Cadet Summer Training, at Fort Knox, Ky., June 28, 2023. At the STX, Cadets worked together as a platoon to practice various combat tactics with simulated field missions. These combat tactics included conducting a mock raid, attack, ambush, reaction to contact, and defensive positions. Cadet Nathan Taake from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University explained the purpose of the STX lanes. “STX is to keep us trained in the fundamentals of Army tactics and leadership,” [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the warrior skills training event during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 25, 2023. The warrior skills training event consists of different exercises that teach Cadets about basic military tactical operations in combat environments before beginning their field training exercises. Warrior skills training includes troop leading procedures, setting up claymore mines, throwing hand grenades, and other essential tasks. The purpose of this training event is for Cadets to work on their individual skillsets while the observer-controller-trainers assess the quality of Cadets’ leadership abilities. Lt. Col. Benjamin Van Meter [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, participated in the confidence course during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2023. The confidence course consists of a series of obstacles that are designed to challenge the Cadets’ physical abilities and help build their confidence. The obstacles require Cadets to climb ropes, jump hurdles, perform low crawls and more. Cadet Benjamin Rider of St. Norbert College—University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, explains the purpose of the confidence course. “In order to relate to the troops that we’ll one day be leading, we have to understand, always have confidence, [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, participated in preliminary marksmanship instruction during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 22, 2023, that taught them various lessons on marksmanship. The different lessons at PMI include understanding the basic operations of the M4 Carbine, how to change magazines, proper body positions while firing and the correct way to squeeze the trigger. Cadet Aaron Myles from Florida Southern College explains how PMI is important for all Cadets, despite what they may or may not have already learned about marksmanship at their Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program before [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets took the land navigation practical exam during Cadet Summer Training in Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023. In order for Cadets to pass the exam, they must locate at least three of the four grid coordinates within a four-hour time period. Cadet Lindsay Smutka from St. John’s University explained what tools Cadets were given and how they could use them for the exam. “We’re given a map, a compass, and a protractor, which we can use to actually plot the points on the map using the grids, and you can use [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets of the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, began their weapon group and zero training in the rain at Fort Knox, Ky., June 19, 2023. During group and zero, Cadets shoot five rounds at a 25-meter target and want to aim for a tight shot group in the center mass of the targets. This exercise helps Cadets perfect their sights and aim before they qualify with their M4 carbines later during Cadet Summer Training. Cadet Connor Powers from The Citadel explained that the purpose of group and zero is for Cadets to make sure that their sight and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in the engagement skills trainer during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 18, 2023. The EST is a virtual shooting simulator that allows Cadets to practice their shooting accuracy before qualifying their weapons later during CST. During this training, Cadets participate in different exercises that help them practice changing M4 carbine magazines and moving between the four proper firing positions. The four firing positions are kneeling, standing and prone (supported and unsupported). It is important for Cadets to know how to perform these positions before qualifying their weapons at [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets went through their last application hand-off range training before qualifying their weapons later today at Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Capt. Aaron Ryan, 3rd Brigade United States Army Cadet Command, explains what Cadets must do during this training. “There’s three targets: the 300-meter target, the 150 and the 70-meter,” Ryan said. “There’s three magazines with 10 rounds each, and you want to put all 10 rounds into those targets to confirm your zero.” Ryan also explained that the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets went through group and zero training yesterday, where [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Soldiers a part of the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, from Fort Carson, Colo., help during the medical evacuation at Fort Knox, Ky., June 14, 2023. The MEDEVAC drill is a simulated scenario that rehearses evacuating sick or wounded patients during emergencies at Cadet Summer Training. This drill is important to make sure the medical equipment and crew are ready, and the communications are set up correctly for the crew to properly receive and respond to emergency requests. Pfc. Kenny Crebar from the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, explains the purpose [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army 2nd Regiment Cadets in Cadet Summer Training, Advanced Camp, attended the preliminary marksmanship instruction at Fort Knox, Ky., June 12, 2023. PMI provides Cadets with the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship through various lessons. The different lessons at PMI include understanding the basic operations of the rifle, how to change magazines, proper body positions while firing, and the correct way to squeeze the trigger. This training event is crucial because Cadets will use this knowledge to qualify at the shooting range later during CST. Cadet Joseph Walker of Lehigh University speaks on what he believes are [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – During Cadet Summer Training, the 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets took the land navigation practical exam in Fort Knox, Ky., June 11, 2023, to teach them how to use a map, compass, and other techniques to navigate through various terrains and locate specific pinpoints. The land navigation practical exam is a single attempt event, in which Cadets must locate at least three of the four grid coordinates within a four-hour time period. Before the exam, Cadets are shown a large, three-dimensional terrain model of the surrounding area, and they are given a map, compass, protractor, and a [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the engagement skills trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., June 8, 2023. The EST is a virtual shooting simulator that allows Cadets to practice how to properly handle an M4 rifle while going through the motions of reloading their magazine and conducting the three firing positions that they must conduct in prone supported and prone unsupported.  The three firing positions consist of prone, kneeling, and standing. Cadets have to know how to effectively perform these positions before qualifying for the range where they use live ammunition later this week and have [...]

Story by Madelyn Guinn and Jaden Whiteman FORT KNOX, Ky. – The field leader reaction course is an obstacle course designed to challenge and strengthen the Cadets’ teamwork and critical thinking skills during Cadet Summer Training. With 12 different courses for them to complete, the Cadets split into equal teams, appoint a squad leader in each team to guide them through their obstacles and complete the task at hand within a certain amount of time. U.S. Army Cadet Leila Enoch from the University of Rhode Island is in her third year of being a Cadet, so she has worked through courses [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Army’s medical professionals completed heat casualty evacuation training in Fort Knox, Ky. before Cadet Summer Training began May 31, 2023.   Completing training before the arrival of the 1st Regiment ensures the safety of all Cadets and Cadre. CST training occurs in extreme weather conditions, making Cadets more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.   “It’s hot,” said Spc. Chase Peitsmeyer. “Cadets are going to be sweating a lot while doing extraneous activities. The Cadets are much more likely to fall out during camp.” Working based off his experience as a medic in Fort Riley, Ks., Peitsmeyer explained that hydrating, [...]

CST staff prepared for the summer by completing casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) training.

FORT KNOX, Ky. – As the 2023 Cadet Summer Training program is starting up, the 581st Area Support Medical Company (ASMC), 61st Multi-functional Medical Battalion, 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Fort Cavazos, Texas, are operating a role II field hospital support at Fort Knox. Located at Logistic Support Area Baker, the role II field hospital is set up to provide medical treatment and exercises for the Cadets that are training. The groups from Fort Cavazos began to prepare for their visit to Fort Knox for the mass casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) exercise by perfecting their role II operations and [...]