FORT KNOX, Kentucky – Cadets with 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, took their last step onto the range to train the fundamentals of firing their M4 Carbines before they move to complete their M4 Qualifications.

They line up to receive their ammunition, 15 round magazines intended to hit targets from 100, 200, and 300 meters away, heading to their lanes, ready to execute their confirm application hold off exercise.

Proper handling of an M4 Carbine Rifle is a critical skill for Cadets in both their upcoming field training exercises as part of Cadet Summer Training and in their future as U.S Army Officers. Cadets must be able to exert total control over themselves, diverting full attention on their body, their M4 Carbine Rifle, and their target in order to shoot effectively.

“It takes an incredible amount of focus. The slightest amount of not paying attention can cause you to make an error in a magazine change or shoot too many rounds at a target or miss a target completely if you just happen to not see a pop up or get distracted by something out there in the distance,” Said Cadet James Daniels, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville.

Prior enlisted for five years as a 68 Whiskey Combat Medic and growing up around firearms from a young age, Daniels has developed a personal strategy for keeping focus and control while on the range. Through conversations with his fellow Cadets, he has observed them as doing the same.

“I try to clear my head and focus more on counting my rounds and witnessing the targets pop up as they come up. For some people I know they like to think about a happy place or something that keeps them focused. For others, something as simple as counting rounds, can keep people in line with the targets ahead. They know what’s coming in and where they’re at,” explained Daniels.

The fundamentals of operating an M4 Carbine are taught to every Cadet at the beginning of Cadet Summer Training during preliminary marksmanship instruction. However, every Cadet will have different weak points they must access in themselves to learn how to control.

Cadet Hannah Kang, Syracuse University, opens up about one of these challenges that she has to adapt to while firing on the range. “I have a smaller build. So the recoil of the gun really takes me aback. I really have to push my weapon against the sandbag in order to reduce the amount of recoil that I get. I also have to settle myself down and make sure my sight picture and everything is aligned with my body and make sure my trigger squeeze is held stable.”

Staying fully aware of themselves and their surroundings in high stress environments can be difficult for Cadets to adapt to. To Cadet Aeryn Hale, Creighton University, the best way to learn is by doing.

Aeryn advises all future Cadets that “Knowing your body, knowing how the weapon fits in your hand, on your shoulder and on your face, whenever you look down the sights, having that the same every time is definitely key.”

By the end of the day, the Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, will have concluded their M4 Qualifications, bringing them into the next stages of Cadet Summer Training.