By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- In their 28th day of training, Cadets of 7th Regiment, Basic Camp leaned on one another to conquer the confidence course and climbing towers at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex, Aug. 4. The complex is designed for Cadets to face their fears, develop confidence, trust one another and overcome the obstacles set before them. MS3 Basic Camp Trainer, Cadet Charles Moorehead, University of Virgin Islands St. Croix, said it’s important for Cadets to see the bigger possibilities in conquering the course. “This course is testing out their confidence in themselves, their equipment, and each other, […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets graduated from Cadet Summer Training, August 1, on Brooks Field at Fort Knox. Five-hundred sixty-nine Cadets graduated and received a graduation certificate and a ribbon, signifying the completion of Advanced Camp during CST. Though every Cadet who meets the criteria receives a completion certificate, some Cadets receive special awards commending different achievements. Cadets who received Regimental Awards are as follows: Cadet Jeremy D. Jones, California Lutheran University, earned the AUSA Warrior Ethos Award. This award is presented to the top Cadet in each Regiment, as determined by the Regimental […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets performed weapons maintenance on their issued M4 rifles, July 31, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Maintenance is an essential part of training as CST starts to come to a close for 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets. “We’ve got them cleaning their weapons out. They’ve been out in the field for about two weeks now. So, their weapons have a lot of carbon, tar and other stuff in them,” said 2nd Lt. Willie Walker. “They’ve been shooting a lot for the past couple days and it’s just a […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets executed their Individual Task Testing, July 28, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. ITT is a course evaluation where Cadets take their culminated knowledge from training and apply it to a practical, real-life situation. “The ITT testing we’re doing today is basically a check on knowledge to say, ‘hey, for the last week and a half, you all have been learning these things. Now that we give you a scenario, a real world scenario, can you apply the knowledge that you’ve learned and use them like building blocks’,” […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second lieutenants, working as Cadre for 6th Regiment, Basic Camp, arrived at the Central Issuing Facility, July 27, to turn in equipment and gear during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Gear is issued to Cadre and Cadets alike to make sure that they are taken care of while out in the field training. “We got to turn in our gear that we used during camp. We basically had to take all of our gear that we used such as our rucksacks and assault pack, cleaned them up and make sure it was clean […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed Field Training Exercises, July 25, during Cadet Summer training at Fort Knox. FTX is training done out in the field where Cadets spend eight days running drills and employing their culminated knowledge to develop leadership skills. “So, over the last eight days, they’ve been out in the field working on platoon small unit tactics against a pretty aggressive bad guy out there. They got a lot of good training in small unit tactics and it enabled the Cadre to evaluate their leadership potential,” said Lt. Col. Joel Thomas. […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets zeroed and qualified with their M16 rifles at Canby Hill Range, July 24, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. At this course, Cadets used live rounds to practice firing at paper targets, which simulate varying distances from 50 meters to 300 meters. “They’re going through basic marksmanship instruction. For a lot of Cadets, it’s the first time they’ve ever shot a weapon. First, they have to zero the weapon. So, get a couple rounds close together on the target where they’re aiming. Then they’re going to qualify, where […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets completed their 12-mile ruck march test, July 21, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. The goal is to complete the 12-mile ruck march under four hours. For RECONDO candidates, it must be completed under three hours. “We completed a 12-mile ruck march with a minimum 35-pound ruck. Some Cadets had more or less. That was up to them. The minimum requirement was 35 pounds. I rucked with 40,” said Cadet Jacob Roberts, Florida State University, Tampa, Fla. “The Army standard for these ruck marches is typically 35. That’s […]

FORT KNOX – Ky. – Sweat dripped off the rim of a Cadet’s patrol cap as he and his fellow Cadets from 8th Regiment, Basic Camp maneuvered their way through the Team Development Course (TDC) in the ninety-degree heat on July 21. Despite the heat, humidity and the demanding nature of each obstacle throughout the course, Cadets learned valuable lessons on the importance of communication, teamwork and leadership. “TDC is all about team building,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gene Ray. “It’s teaching Cadets to work together out of a group they’ve just met while they learn how to lead and how […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets executed Alt-C weapons qualification at Canby Hill Range, July 19, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Cadets worked to qualify by zeroing and grouping the M16 rifle in the controlled setting of the Alt-C course. “Zero involves getting your weapon aimed down sites the right way. Grouping is to make sure that they get a certain amount of shots within a certain area so that they’re consistent in their aiming,” stated 2nd Lt. Justin Atkins, graduate of University of California, Riverside. Cadets practiced these two skills by firing […]

Fort Knox, Ky., – On July 19, the Cadets of 7th Regiment Basic Camp learned to disassemble, clean and fire their standard issue M16 rifles. For many Cadets this was their first time even holding a rifle. To help Cadets become comfortable with their rifles, cadre personnel demonstrated rifle field-stripping, proper shooting form, and introduced acronyms to help Cadets remember the fundamentals of marksmanship. After becoming familiar with their rifles, the Cadets were brought to the firing line to demonstrate what they learned by sighting-in, or ‘zeroing’ their rifles prior to attempting Alt-C Qualification. Since it was their first exposure to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – It was a little past 11 o’clock at night when Cadet Mercedes Hayes of New Mexico Military Institute reminded herself that she was over halfway done. There were only 3.2 miles remaining. “I came up with a little mantra to tell myself – that I’m a strong person, everyone else is doing the same thing I am, and no matter what, it’s just about finishing,” she said as she sat to take a water break with the other Cadets of 5th Regiment, Basic Camp. “I feel like I want to sleep, honestly. But I feel that I […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Tori Richison, a student at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, says she feels well-prepared for the mission that’s sure to be a challenge: land navigation. “It’s a little nerve-wracking just because you’re on your own, and it’s at night, too,” the Osceola, Wisconsin native said. Richison, along with the other Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, is required to successfully navigate alone from one location to another through the daunting, critter-infested forests of rural Fort Knox. She says knowing how to physically lead through any type of terrain is “very important.” “As a platoon leader, […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, executed squad battle drills in Training Area 12, July 18, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Squad battle drills are simulated scenarios with specific objectives created to test Cadets in many different ways such as leadership capabilities, movement techniques, and tactical engagement performances. The first iteration was done at a ‘crawl’ pace. This is where Cadre led Cadets through step by step in objectives. The second iteration of squad battle drills was a movement to contact drill. “The training we just completed was a react to contact lane. What […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets practiced land navigation at Assembly Area Baker, July 17, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Land navigation is a vital skill for Cadets and Cadre alike. Armed with a protractor, compass and map, Cadets must locate key points, plot a course to those points and successfully navigate to them. “We get a map, a protractor and a compass. Then, we plot the points with our protractor. Then you have to find the distance and navigate your way through the woods, find the different points to make sure you […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Thirty-one days of rigorous, stress-inducing and physically demanding training has come to an end for the nearly five hundred Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced Camp on July 15. Through the countless miles rucked, the sleepless nights in the field and the obstacles they’ve had to face these past few weeks, the Cadets of Fifth Regiment ended their time here at CST just as it had began: together. “Today everything came together,” said Cadet Andrew Vanderweele, The Pennsylvania State University. “There are lots of happy faces here.” Cadet Vanderweele was the recipient of the ApexTech Warrior Award, which […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp, 7th Regiment Cadets took on their second day in the STX Lanes, in a Cadre lead ambush against OPFOR (Opposing Forces) for their training at Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. The Situational Tactical Exercise or STX Lanes are a series of four lanes that are staged into different scenarios to help the Cadets learn. The four lanes have different scenarios, Raid and Recon, Ambush, Movement to Contact, and a lane that combines all three of those scenarios that the Cadets must go through. As it is the second day of their STX lane […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, was educated and tested on Call For Fire techniques, July 13, at Fort Knox during Cadet Summer Training. Some of the learning objectives for CFF training include: describe and learn the call for fire format, execute virtual call for fire mission, report battle damage assessment. Cadets learned the six elements involved in CFF which include: observer identification, warning order, target location, target description, method of engagement, method of fire and control. “They get a basic PowerPoint on the format for call for fire, how to make corrections, and then they’ll […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets woke up early to execute a six-mile ruck march, July 14, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. This was to prepare Cadets for the pass/fail 12-mile ruck march in a few weeks. “It’s important for our training so we can build ourselves up to the point where we can do 12 miles. We’re trying to make sure that everyone starts off with a good baseline,” said Cadet Samantha Frank, Texas A&M, Springbranch, Texas. “A lot of people from different schools don’t have hills like they do here in […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Eighth Regiment, Advanced Camp suited up in full MOPP4 gear, grabbed tightly to the shoulder of the Cadet in front of them and braced for impact at the CS Chamber on July 14. The CS chamber is an exercise Cadets must pass through in order to fulfill their CBRN requirement. CBRN, which stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, is a part of Cadet Summer Training that helps to foster Cadets’ confidence in their gear. “The intent of CBRN is to build confidence in our abilities and our gear,” said Cadet Zachary Stuart, Texas Christian […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, entered Hill Hall at Fort Knox, July 11, to attend branch round tables. This event was held for Cadets to explore the different branches in the Army in a more personal setting. Cadre with years of experience in each of the branch came and spoke to Cadets about available opportunities. “They’re going through the different branches prior to them making their choice on August 21 to see which branches they like, maybe don’t like, and some that may interest them or that they didn’t know about,” explained Capt. Shevez Freeman, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – What do you call getting woken up bright and early to navigate difficult terrain in order to successfully complete Advanced Camp? For Seventh Regiment, Advanced Camp, this is called just another day in paradise. Cadets spent the morning of July 11 completing their Land Navigation test, a must-pass requirement for Cadet Summer Training, with simply a map, compass and their intuition to guide the way – no Google Maps allowed. “Yesterday we completed the written portion of the land navigation test,” said Cadet Janine Donnelly, Washington State University. “The written part tested how well we do with […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 5th Regiment rappelled into confidence, July 12, on the Rappel tower/ Confidence Course during their final days before they graduate from Advanced Camp at Fort Knox. Cadets learn how to rappel down a 64-foot tower. They make their own harness from rope, they then move onto the slanted wall and just get the movements down and to figure out which hand will be the break hand and which hand is the guide hand. The Cadets must go down two different sides; one side is with a wall that goes 64 foot straight up wall side […]

By: Madison Thompson FORT KNOX, Ky. – 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, arrived at Assembly Area Baker, July 10, to complete their written land navigation test during Cadet Summer Training. Land navigation involves reading a physical map and being able to navigate terrain without technology, using compasses and protractors. “The written test demonstrates their knowledge of terrain features, distance and direction on a map, the difference between grid north, magnetic north and true north,” said Capt. Ron Gooding. Cadets spent the morning studying and reviewing information before their exam. While waiting, Cadre answered questions and coached Cadets in improvised areas. Areas of […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Fifth Regiment, Advanced camp spent their evening exploring the different branches the U.S. Army has to offer at Branch Orientation on Sunday, July 10. Branch orientation slightly resembles a career fair, where men and women with years of service in a specific field come and speak about their experience and what Cadets can expect, should they choose to go a certain route. However, where traditional job fairs are usually held in convention centers with rows of employers asking, “do you think you have what it takes?” branch orientation is devised into a three-hour rotation period […]