Fort Knox, Ky. – The range is abuzz with the sounds of M4s firing, muted only by the ear protection snugly fitted in the ears of Cadets. The bangs echo off the surrounding trees and buildings, every shot serving as a reminder of today’s goal: to improve accuracy and qualify.

At Cadet Summer Training, Cadets spend a significant amount of time handling firearms, visiting various ranges across the Fort Knox base. On July 22, 2024, Cadets of 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their Confirm Hold Off exercise.

“I’m not gonna lie, Cadet Summer Training this summer is very hard, I think for me specifically,” said Cadet Lauren Hrusa, Niagara University. “I am not proficient by any means when it comes to an event like today’s Confirm Hold Off. I’ve never really shot before. My school’s ROTC program only shoots about once a year.”

Cadets of all skill levels come to CST and each event they complete is designed to help each of them meet the standard. At Confirm Hold Off, Cadets must achieve a certain level of accuracy to qualify, firing at 100, 200, and 300 meter targets.

“I think for people like me who aren’t confident holding a weapon and who need that help to get proficient at it, what’s been really nice at CST is that the Cadre want you to do well during these phases,” Hrusa said. “So when I did my EST, my virtual shooting simulator, as practice before the real range, I was there until 9 p.m. getting help from one of the Cadre. It was a long day, but I don’t regret it because it helped me get in the reps. The whole point of CST is to give you the reps that you need.”

Even if Cadets aren’t confident at certain events, be that shooting, physical obstacles, or tactical exercises, they have a strong support system at CST in the form of their experienced Cadre and fellow Cadets.

“Knowing that I have a great team behind me, people who are competent, it just makes me feel so much better because I know they’ve got me if I fall short on something,” said Cadet Whitney Miller, Marion Military Institute.

The family found in the military is a draw for many Cadets. They build their support system battle buddy by battle buddy, and it’s able to get them through some tough situations. For Hrusa, the support, discipline, and challenge she found in her ROTC program helped her commission, despite the demanding nature of a military program.

“I never even thought about going out in the woods before. I never ran or shot or did a push up, but I joined my school’s ROTC program to try it out, and I’ve definitely grown as a person since my freshman year in ROTC,” Hrusa said. “I just think, ‘Wow, okay, I’ve made it this far.’ Now I’m at CST, and I didn’t think I was gonna make it this far, but I really did.”

For those who join ROTC programs, it’s a chance for self improvement.

“I’m a very passive person, and I’m not very confident when it comes to a lot of things,” Hrusa said. “I never really put myself in leadership positions when I was in high school, but this program really helped me build my confidence level. ROTC allowed me to make connections with people and actually embrace the people-person that I am. It has been such a wonderful experience for me and it really helped me grow as a person and a leader.”

Pushing past limits and enduring hardships is an essential ingredient in the Army’s recipe for molding leaders. Today, it’s shooting over and over to improve aim. Tomorrow, it will be a new challenge.

“I’ve gotten a lot of leadership training out of it,” Miller said. “You have to be resilient. You’ve got to be able to push through. You’re going to meet amazing people and have them on your team, so just embrace the suck. Life is going to suck sometimes, but the Army makes you embrace it. Somebody’s got to do it, so it might as well be someone who’s willing to fight for this country and who loves this country.”

Side by side, Miller and Hrusa collect more ammunition and head back to the range to put in the work, the bangs still echoing around them.