By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- The 556 Cadets of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp finished Cadet Summer Training with Graduation on Brooks Field. Nine Cadets of the regiment received the RECONDO (Reconnaissance Commando) certificate from Maj. Gen. Hughes, Commanding General of Cadet Summer Training and Fort Knox. Regimental Awards were given to twelve Cadets for outstanding performances at CST. Cadet Emily Gallagher, Dequesne University, received the Armed Forces Services Corporation Award for achieving the highest female score on the Army Physical Fitness Test. Her parents, Laura and Ed were there at graduation waiting to congratulate her. “We’re extremely proud of her. […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, KY.,- Forest Hills Climbing Complex has been buzzing with Cadets all summer long, but today was their last day of operation for Cadet Summer Training as 8th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets conquered their fears and the course. Ziplining, low crawling, climbing and hanging; Cadets spent their last day of training before graduation encouraging each other and conquering their fear of heights. Cadet Judy Senesabath, University of Tennessee Knoxville said as a climber, communication with her belayer was key. “The belayer is not only like a safety but they guide you, letting you know where you can […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, were further conditioned in their future leader training in the Call for Fire Trainer on June 18. “Call for Fire Trainer is used to test and teach Army ROTC Cadets the skill of how to call in indirect fire. It’s a skill that’s required that can help save their lives and the lives of their Soldiers one day.” said Lt. Col. Larry Rentz, Officer in Charge. The overall objective was that Cadets would walk away with an understanding of the call and purpose for fire as well as the process, radio transitions and […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp took on their weapons qualification July 3 at George Blair range. “What’s required of Cadets is discipline and the fundamentals of shooting such as the firing position, the trigger squeeze, the breathing and also target acquisition, which is identifying the target.” said Staff Sgt. Austin W. Bowles, Range Safety Officer, Fort Hood, Texas. Bowles expressed that he felt as though it would be difficult for Cadets who were not familiar with firearms to qualify given that marksmanship can be a tedious task to master. Bowles also shared his advice on how he believed […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 4th Regiment, Basic Camp, put their physical fitness skills to the test bright and early during the Army Physical Fitness Test July 2. “To be honest, it’s tough, but its nice having the other Cadets around.” said Cadet Mikayla Blaska, Princeton, “We are all going through the same thing. Its nice to have unity and be going through the struggle together.” During the APFT, Cadets are required to complete push-ups, sit-ups and a 2-mile run to complete the entire test. Cadets were required to be awake well before dawn for the APFT, which is strenuous for most. […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadets of 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, were introduced to new tactics on Tuesday, June 12, at the Christensen Range, Fort Knox, Ky. The training focused on small unit tactics. The training was broken down into three rotations: individual movement training (IMT), hand grenade training, and a classroom style briefing. Cadets dressed in their field gear and used camouflage face paint, branches and leaves to blend in with their surroundings. “What we are doing here today is infantry training. A lot of the Cadets are given blanks and are being put in a situation where they are going to be […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Basic Camp Cadets learned the importance of the Center of the Army Profession and Ethics (CAPE) Sunday afternoon, June 11. Cadets were briefed in a classroom setting on the values of trust, morals and ethics. These are key to having a successful profession in the Army. Following the briefing, Cadets were given a scenario to put what they had learned into effect. “It’s basically a team building exercise which will continue over into the Bravo Company,” said 2LT Jessica Turner, platoon leader, of Alcorn State University, Woodridge, Virginia, “You get to see what they really think about this as […]

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. – 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, and 7th Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets welcomed Ambassador John Limbert at Olive Theater, August 3, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox. Ambassador John Limbert was invited to speak to Cadets about a variety of topics including advice for Cadets when they commission as second lieutenants as well as opening the floor for questions. In his opening statements, Ambassador Limbert thanked Cadets. “Let me thank you today for choosing a career of public service. There are rewards, frustrations and dangers, but it’s something I did … and it was never […]

 By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in their final must pass event Wednesday, the 64-foot rappel tower. Nervous energy surrounds the tower as many Cadets battle a fear of heights, like Cadet Alex Marshall, Gannon University, PA. “I’ve rappelled before at my school so that wasn’t really new. I think it’s cool because I’m afraid of heights but rappelling is easy; you just trust your equipment and your Cadre,” he said. “Everything in place here is to protect Cadets, from the NCOs up at the top of the tower to your equipment and belay. […]

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: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- Cadets of 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp rounded up all their equipment, cleaned everything and headed to the Central Issue Facility, July 30. “Today at CIF we are turning in all the equipment we got at the beginning of camp which is the final stage of camp for us,” said Cadet Nicholas Christopher, University of Louisville, Ky. Unique to other Advanced Camp Cadets, Christopher has had his equipment for two months, instead of the normal 30 days. He and a few others in his regiment arrived to Fort Knox, 30 days prior to their training to […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp had the opportunity to do branch orientation on July 25, at Fort Knox, Ky., to help them decide which branch they would like to serve in once they become Army Officers. “Basic Camp gets a minor orientation, the Cadre from each tent just give them a brief overview of what they do and this is the reason why you might want to join our branch,” said 2nd Lieutenant Matthew Booker, Alumni to Canisius College, Buffalo, New York. “Once they get to Advanced Camp they do this again but they select the […]

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: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, Ky.,- Cadet Summer Training (CST) came to an end for the General Carl W. Stiner Regiment, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, with nine Reconnaissance Commando (RECONDO) awards; the most of any regiment to date. The RECONDO award is given to Cadets who scored a 90% or higher in all pass-required events such as land navigation, marksmanship and the field training exercise. Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. James (Boe) Young, Commanding General of 75th Training Command, Houston, TX., addressed Cadets not only as an officer with over 30 years of experience, but as a father to graduating Cadet Elizabeth […]

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 […]

FORT KNOX, KY—10th Regiment Advanced Camp completed CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) training at the CBRN chamber. Cadets begin their CBRN training by first being trained on how to put on their MOP gear. MOPP (mission oriented protective posture) gear consists of rubber gloves and boots, a jacket, pants, and a mask. Cadets have to be able to successfully get their mask on in less than eight seconds, and all of their MOPP gear in less than eight minutes before entering the chamber. “CBRN is used to simulate engaging an enemy in a chemical warfare situation,” said Cadet Devante Spears, Central […]

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 […]

By: Mattie Cook Fort Knox, Ky.,- 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets are nearing the end of camp with just equipment turn-in and Family Day to go; but before swinging into graduation, they had to conquer their last event: the confidence course and rappel tower. The 64-foot rappel tower consists of a wall side rappel and a free rappel. Cadets go off both sides of the tower not only to learn rappelling technique but to test their confidence and trust in their equipment and Cadre. Cadet Torrence Hass, Colorado State University, Co., said he was nervous all morning in anticipation. “I’m afraid […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from Advanced Camp 9th Regiment headed to George Blair Shooting Range for weapon qualification, July 17, during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky. The day before qualification the Cadets go through Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) to help them hold the weapon, know the parts of the weapon, and the different positions they will be shooting from. “I do believe that PMI prepared me for today, it just goes over the basic fundamentals that every shooter needs to become a great shooter, said Cadet Jared Neeb, University of Louisiana in Lafayette, from New Orleans, La Weapon […]

By: Mattie Cook FORT KNOX, KY.,- Cadets of 9th Regiment Advanced Camp cleared their sinuses at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber on Fort Knox, Ky., July 19. Cadets were first trained in proper care and use of gas masks and mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear. In order to be properly equipped and ready, they must be able to put on their gear and seal their mask in eight minutes or less. After their gear is secured, it’s time to go through the chamber. “My face was on fire, my lungs were on fire, I wanted to breathe […]

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 […]