FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Cadets from 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Field Training Exercises as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 19, 2023.

During the FTX, Cadets engage in realistic training scenarios in a field environment to enhance their tactical abilities and teamwork skills. It is vital that Cadets receive realistic training in order to build their skillset and their overall confidence.

Cadet Stephen Swope from New Mexico Military Institute shares his experience at the FTX.

“It’s going great, we woke up a little early this morning,” Swope said. “We had a briefing before we had our first lane, which was an ambush. We did pretty well and didn’t have too many things that went wrong.” 

Many different skills go into each lane, Cadet Swope touches on some of the skills he used in his lane today.

“Definitely, noise concealment. You definitely want to be quiet, you don’t want to be out and about just screaming and you definitely want to keep a low noise discipline,” Swope said. “You also want to make sure your head is on a swivel, and you’re always looking out, making sure everyone is good at organizing and tasks.”

Cadet Nicolas Tercero, who just so happened to be Swope’s roommate at the New Mexico Military Institute, discussed the difference in terrain between their University’s and the one here at Fort Knox.

“Here in Kentucky at Fort Knox, they have trees everywhere, it’s wet, damp, leaves everywhere, and concealment is abundant. You can find a lot of places to pull security here,” Tercero said. “When we’re in Mexico, it’s a desert environment, much flatter, not a lot of cover and concealment.”

Many Cadets at CST see many changes from what they experience at their universities. CST is a time where Cadets come together and learn how to work as a unit.

Tercero left some closing advice to give future Cadets.

“It’s a lot easier than you think it’s going to be,” Tercero said. “It’s the Army, it’ll get tough, it’ll get hot, you’ll be uncomfortable, but keep in mind that many people have done it before, and they’ve been successful so you can do the same.”