FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Emily Jackson from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, plans to commission as an active duty nurse for the Army. While at Cadet Summer Training, she shared that her experience in the National Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps furthered her passion towards caring for others at Fort Knox, Ky., June 22, 2023. “I’ve always been super interested in the medical field, and I’m also really passionate about kids and babies,” said Jackson. “So while doing research about [the medical field], I got super interested in labor and delivery and just the whole delivery process itself.” Jackson is from […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Squads of Bravo Company’s 1st Platoon Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, took turns playing the role of either medic or radio personnel during Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 24, 2023. Within their squads, Cadets practiced the standard procedures they would use to check over a casualty in the event of a real-life emergency. Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Seys from California State University Fullerton explained that this training event is designed to encourage Cadets to learn ‘the building blocks’ of first aid without applying too much pressure on them. “The Army has […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the situation training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 23, 2023. During the situation training exercise, Cadets did a deliberate attack. A deliberate attack is when Cadets destroy or defeat enemy forces, seizes, and secures terrain. Two Cadets talked about their experience during the situation training exercise.  Cadet Cleveland Williams from Texas A&M University Central Texas has been an active duty member of the U.S. Army for four and a half years. His military occupational specialty was an 88M. An 88M is a transport operator. He said that he joined […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – While absorbed in lively conversation, 2nd Regiment Cadets’ Noah Scott from Norwich University, Kyle Sopplar from Clarkson University, and Hannah Yun from Loyola University of Chicago put on their camouflage in attempt to blend in with the rest of the forest during their situational training exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., June 23, 2023. Yun said she is ‘shocked’ by how close she has gotten with her fellow ‘teammates’ in such a short period of time. “We’ve all met each other two weeks ago, and I think I’m just surprised by how easy it was for us to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, tested their leadership abilities at the Field Leader Reaction Course, Fort Knox, Ky., June 22, 2023.  Cadets go through five of the 16 obstacles at the FLRC choosing a new squad leader each time. This gives the ability for more Cadets to practice being leaders. Cadet Evan Harper, University of San Francisco, described the FLRC as a team building event. “We’re doing these events and different challenges together, seeing how we work as a team, and also, how we react to challenges and adversity,” Harper said. “It really shows how well […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.-  Cadets in the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, trekked in a four-mile march from Logistics Support Area Baker to Schroder Range at Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023. Once Cadets arrived at Schroder Range, Cadre instructed them to shoot for two rounds at pop-up-targets. This event is better known as battle march, and shoot. The objective of battle march, and shoot is for Cadets to receive a simulated combat experience. Cadet Kaitlyn Sheridan from Ohio University stated how she felt during the training under such poor weather conditions. “The road march here was pretty challenging due to the weather,” […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from the 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, faced their fears and rappelled down the 64-foot rappel tower at Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023. The purpose of the rappel tower training is to provide Cadets with the ability to overcome their fears, know how to safely rappel for the future, and build team cohesion. Cadet Kelly Godsey, University of New Mexico, felt ready to conquer the rappel tower. “I felt excited,” Godsey said. “I love rappelling, and I love doing things outside, just doing physical things, so I was really excited to do it.” Godsey has prior […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, take their land navigation qualification at Training Area 14, Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Land navigation examines Cadets on their ability to read a map and navigate unfamiliar terrains.  Cadets are given a timed limit of four hours to complete their training using a map, compass, protractor, and a pencil.  Unlike other trainings that Cadets receive, they cannot rely on the help from other Cadets or communicate with each other.   “You have to have a tactical approach to land navigation,” said Spc. Kaitlyn Shulaman, Cadre leader. “You don’t have […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, rotate through eight stations during their warrior skills training at the Richardson Training Area, June 14, 2023. The eight stations at warrior skills training includes: hand grenades, claymore mines, troop leading procedures, range cards, route planning, direct fire planning, rehearsal types and linear danger area.  A key objective for Cadets during warrior skills training is to become accustomed with combat environments and weapons. Cadets wear protective gear such as gloves, eye protection and advanced combat helmets to ensure safety during each mission. During Cadet Summer Training, the drills that Cadets complete […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets complete their weapons qualification at Pells Range, Fort Knox, Ky., June 18, 2023.  Cadets spent the last three days preparing. Prior to making it to weapons qualifications, Cadets must go through the preliminary marksmanship instruction, the engagement skills trainer, and then, group and zero on the days leading up to qualifications day.  Cadets will complete a practice round before participating in the official qualifications round. Cadet Haley Higgins, University of Central Missouri, scored a 23 on the practice round of the qualifications. Cadets must hit a minimum of 23 out of 40 […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – The 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets started their morning soaked in rain during the Army combat fitness test at Fort Knox, Ky., June 19, 2023.  The first physical requirement that Cadets completed was the ACFT, which measured their physical fitness. The ACFT consists of six events: the three-repetition max deadlift, the standing power throw, hand-release pushups, sprint-drag-carry, plank and two-mile run. Cadet Alexander Bradley, Texas A&M University Central Texas, is one Cadet who completed the ACFT. “Fitness is one of the most important things that the military looks for,” Bradley said. “It’s essentially a baseline for being […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, practice their shooting accuracy gushing an engagement skills trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Here, they get the opportunity to learn about their weapons. Similarly, Cadet Landon Dugas, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is in the same regiment as Smith. Dugas comes from a military family, and he has decided to follow in the footsteps of his father. During training, they learn different skills such as shooting positions, changing magazines, and practice using their sights. The sight produces a red dot on the targeted area, ideally providing for […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – During field leaders reaction course training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 17, 2023, small squads from the  2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets learned how to come together as they rotate from one station to the next. Capt. Eric Engel from the University of Cincinnati explained that FLRC is designed in a way that forces Advanced Camp Cadets to work together as a unit. “We have 16 lanes of squad obstacles here, and they approach each one from their own squad’s perspective, and one squad leader receives a mission brief,” said Engel. “They make decisions and communicate, and […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The field leadership reaction course, known as FLRC, puts Cadet’s strength, quick thinking and teamwork to the test. Cadet Lauren Alexander, Indiana University, is doing her best to move as a member of a team during FLRC, June 15, 2023. “I think we are working extremely well, especially given that this is our first tactical event where people are switching leadership,” said Alexander.   Cadets must complete as many obstacle courses as possible within the four-hour time limit. A team leader receives a briefing from Cadre about the obstacle, then they inform their teammates about the rules […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spent the day participating in the warrior skills training, in Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Cadets went through eight stations, including learning how to use claymore mines, employ hand grenades, and complete special team tasks. The special teams tasks teach Cadets how to move as a squad, move through dangerous areas, react to contact, check enemy prisoners of war, and prepare injured friendlies for evacuation. Cadet Jonathan Michael, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, reflects on the importance of the warrior skills training event during Cadet Summer Training. “It is important […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – U.S. Army 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets participated in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear chamber at Fort Knox, Ky., June 14, 2023. The Cadets go through gas chamber training to learn how to properly put on their gas masks and to do so in the correct timeframe. The training helps to prepare them for a possible enemy attack in combat. Cadet Serena Williams, Minnesota State University, Mankato, has been through a CBRN chamber before. Williams went though basic training in 2021 and is a part of the Minnesota State National Guard. “I was excited. I’ve done […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – U.S. Army Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, tackle group and zero at Fort Knox, Ky., June 12, 2023. Group and zero is the third, and final, training exercise that Cadets must go through before they can complete their weapons qualification. When his fellow Cadets had questions about where to aim on the targets for each distance, Cadet Noah Bufalini, Rochester Institute of Technology, approached a nearby Cadre member to ask if a whiteboard was available. Once he was given the materials, Bufalini drew diagrams and reviewed with his fellow Cadets. “I had some knowledge in that, […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Armed with a compass, protractor, pencil, map, and a list of coordinates, pairs of Cadets in the 1stRegiment, Advanced Camp, set off on their last day of land navigation practice to find at least two pinpoints in under 90minutes, Fort Knox, Ky., June 10, 2023. One pair that completed the event under the allotted time are Cadet Rebecca Galan, from the University of the Incarnate Word, and Cadet Akilah Austin, from the University of Idaho.  “Land nav [navigation] is basically an adult scavenger hunt,” Austin said. “I’ve never thought of Land nav as ‘hard’, instead it’s [your] judgment […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, spent the day completing the engagement skills trainer exercise in Fort Knox, Ky., June 11, 2023. The EST is a simulated rifle qualification table. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Robert Points, senior military science instructor at Truman State University, explains the importance of EST training. “Some of these Cadets don’t have the opportunity to handle weapons as much,” Points said. “The engagement skills trainer is a cheap and easy way that they can learn to handle those weapons systems and practice fundamentals without having to spend ammunition and time on getting […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 2nd Regiment Cadets at Advanced Camp arrived to the preliminary marksmanship instruction range in Fort Knox, Ky., early June 10, 2023 for a refresher course in marksmanship. During PMI, nobody is above the basics of marksmanship. Even the most experienced Cadets must go back to basics and work on their technique. Before the 2nd Regiment Cadets get released to their stations, the Cadre give a briefing over the four pillars of weapon safety. The instructor explained to the Cadets that the key to a smooth shot is keeping a position that is stable. The instructor also […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Cadets conduct training for Group and Zero, shooting five rounds at a 25-meter target with their M4 rifles at Canby Hill Range in Fort Knox, Ky., June 7, 2023. The goal is to get a tight shot group in the center mass of the targets.  Staff Sgt. Cody Grunwald, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment explains the importance of the group and zero training. “We need to get them grouped and zero here so when they go to the range they can actually get targets that they shoot at,” Grunwald said. U.S. Army Cadets Nayla Borrego […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 1st Regiment Cadets in Cadet Summer Training, Advanced Camp, are given lessons on the fundamentals of their rifles during the preliminary marksmanship instruction at Fort Knox, Ky., June 7, 2023. The purpose of the PMI is to provide the Cadets with a better understanding of the basics of rifle marksmanship. For the Cadets to safely learn the baseline knowledge of their weapons, they receive blank ammunition instead of live rounds during the rifle training. The different lessons at PMI include understanding the basic operations of the rifle, how to change magazines, proper body positions while firing, and […]

Story by Lanie Guinn and Madelyn Guinn FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Samantha Roden’s promotion ceremony was performed by her brother, 2nd Lt. Joshua Roden in Fort Knox, Ky., June 1, 2023. Staff Sgt. Roden has been a military working dog handler for five years and a part of the 905th Military Police Detachment. During her promotion ceremony, Staff Sgt. Roden conducted demonstrations with her military working dog named Sgt. 1st Class Disco. Capt. Kyle Hinzman, company commander for 34th Military Police Detachment underneath Cadet Command and 905th MP Detachment, had more than enough great things to say […]

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 […]

As Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2022 comes to a close and 10,000 freshly graduated Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets depart Fort Knox, Ky., it is time to take a look back at some of the successes from Advanced and Basic Camp.  From the moment Cadets got boots on the ground they were prepared and willing to put in the work. “I was very impressed with how Cadets showed up here physically ready to operate,” said Col. Douglas Thompson, Commandant, U.S. Army Cadet Summer Training, something he credited to each Cadet’s individual ROTC program at the over 900 universities they […]