Fort Knox, Ky. – Amidst the pops of gunfire echoing through the trees, Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp are expanding their skill set at Cadet Summer Training’s Warrior Skills training, on July 20, 2024.

“Warrior Skills, to me, is understanding the basic fundamentals of being a Soldier,” said Cadet Mae Sunsdahl, Florida Atlantic University. “Although we may not be using these skills every single day, it’s important that we understand the basics: how to apply, how to have a standard, how to hold that standard. In order to lead, you have got to know everything– every position, every angle.”

At Warrior Skills, Cadets attend different stations, each emphasizing a different field skill, including how to apply camouflage face paint, tag weapons, use hand signals, and call to fire.

“For a lot of soldiers, this is their first and only time with military training, so it’s good that they give some sort of brief introduction instead of just throwing us in the deep end seeing how we swim,” said Cadet Matthew Nudson, California State University, Dominguez Hills. “This is a great opportunity for them to see the real Army and try to experience that before they get to their units.”

Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp will enter the field tomorrow as they advance to Wolverine, the first iteration of their Field Training Exercise. FTX includes three phases and will result in Cadets spending 12 consecutive days in the woods.

“We’re here learning to train for the field, getting  hands on time with all different kinds of weapons, learning how to camouflage yourself for the forest environment, learning all the skills we’ll need to be successful in the field,” Nudson said. “I’m feeling ready for the field tomorrow–happy to get out there. It’s getting closer to the end, so you know, just push through and we’ll have fun. You’re gonna be getting down and dirty. But that’s the whole point of it. So just have fun and realize that’s why you’re here.”

For Advanced Camp Cadets who aspire to become officers in the military, these training exercises are crucial in building their teamwork and leadership skills. To get through, they’ll not only have to utilize the skills they learned at Warrior Skills, but come together as a platoon and rely on their battle buddies.

“It’s a cool opportunity to be at CST because all officers are in one spot, and that wouldn’t happen very often, so it’s humbling to have to be led by your peers and get a chance to learn from them,” Sunsdahl said. “And it’s all about people. The Army is just people: it’s taking care of people, it’s helping people, and it’s leading people. I don’t think any of us would be here if it wasn’t to support men or women to our left and right.”

Tomorrow, these Cadets will head into the field to test their steel as leaders. Today, they build the skills they’ll need to get there.