Last Updated: June 13th, 2024By Tags: , , ,


FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Warrior Skills training event at Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023.

Cadet Aidan McKenna, Rice University, 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, throws a training grenade at a target during the Warrior Skills event at Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023. This training introduces Cadets to leadership skills such as setting up practice C4 mines, throwing inert hand grenades, and other essential procedures. | Photos by Connor Kerwin, Carson Newman University, CST 2023 Public Affairs Office

Warrior Skills introduces Cadets to many procedures that focus on the fundamentals of munitions and range finding. The Cadets have hands-on experience that allow them to understand important Soldiering tactics.

Cadet Brandon De La Rosa, from East Stroudsburg University, shares his thoughts on the importance of Warrior Skills.

“I was successful in throwing today because the grenade was like a baseball,” De la Rosa said. “A lot of kids grew up playing baseball, including me, so it was easier to get a grip on the grenade and throw it.”

Cadets are instructed by Cadre on how to throw grenades before moving to their lanes to engage a target in the field. Experience levels for each Cadet vary, so an overview of munitions and fundamental safety practices for each is necessary.

“I wrestle for my college at a D2 level, and you have to be very mentally and physically strong for wrestling, so it correlates well with the Army,” De la Rosa stated. “This training is good because it teaches you discipline much like wrestling, and when I’m in a situation where you need to act, like when throwing a grenade, I have the background knowledge to where I won’t freeze up.”

Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, learn how to set up a C4 mine during the Warrior Skills training event at Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023. This training introduces Cadets to leadership skills such as setting up practice C4 mines, throwing inert hand grenades, and other essential procedures. | Photos by Connor Kerwin, Carson Newman University, CST 2023 Public Affairs Office

Many stations like the grenade throwing lane at Warriors Skills, built on concepts Cadets are familiar with. The goal of this training is to use these familiarities and transform them into skills that become valuable to the U.S. Army.

“I think as a future leader, you need to know all the tasks from the bottom up,” said Cadet Darryl Wilson, from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. “That way, you can better direct your subordinates, and they can be better leaders as well.”

Warrior Skills will continue to challenge the Cadets as well as expand their leadership skills, confidence in themselves, and build team cohesion.

“This is great for teambuilding and us all cheer each-other on,” De la Rosa said. “We’re all there for each other in these events, and we’re all here to help each other out.”

About the Author: Conner Kerwin
Conner Kerwin
Connor Kerwin is a student enrolled at Carson Newman University, majoring in graphic design. He has been invested in graphic arts and has exceptional skills as an artist. Drawing is a hobby of his and he is looking for more experience in digital media and photography to enhance his work, and explore more career opportunities while interning for the CST Public Affairs team located at Fort Knox, KY.