Fort Knox, Ky. – Every Cadet’s story starts somewhere. This summer, Cadet Summer Training sees many Cadets take their first steps as it hosts two regiments of Basic Camp. Many Cadets in Basic Camp aren’t yet commissioned with the Army; they’re here to see if the military life is right for them. 

“I’m here at Basic Camp because I did a year of ROTC at my university and I loved it,” said Cadet Rylie Murphy, UC Santa Barbara. “I’m not contracted, so I couldn’t come help with Advanced Camp as part of opposing forces, so I asked to come to Basic Camp to learn some more discipline because I think everyone can benefit from it.”

Like many Basic Camp Cadets, Murphy is here because she got her first taste of the Army at her school’s ROTC program and fell in love.

“ROTC gave me a really structured schedule,” Murphy said. “It gave me these great people to be around and just an experience that none of my friends have ever gotten. I just enjoyed the hard work of it all. Everyone should join it. It’s great and it’s honestly the best decision I’ve made in college.”

Like Murphy, Cadet Evan Fewell, Tuskegee University, also just finished his first year in ROTC. For him, the interest to join was sparked by his family’s legacy. 

“I come from a long line of military family members,” Fewell said. “My uncles were in it, my great great uncles–I had people fighting in one of the world wars, so it kind of runs in my blood and so I just wanted to carry that on and keep that alive. My family was such a big motivation for me. They’re definitely my biggest role models.”

Fewell and Murphy are both Cadets in 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp. On July 31, 2024, they strengthened their military foundation with Round Robin training, which teaches basic soldier tasks such as weapons familiarization, hand and arm signals, camouflage face paint application, and basic land navigation.

“Doing events like this will help us become better as leaders in the Army because we’ll understand the basics that the soldiers we’re going to lead one day are going through,” Murphy said. “And at the end of the day, whether you’re enlisted or an officer, you all have to know the basic soldier skills.”

ROTC and CST are designed to instill important traits in these future Army leaders. Both Murphy and Fewell say that these programs have helped them grow, both as people and as leaders. 

“I would say one of the most important things it’s taught me is leadership,” Fewell said. “I’ve learned a lot of things, like how to be interpersonal and how to lead from the front, just stuff that I wouldn’t have been able to learn anywhere else.” 

While Basic Camp presents a challenge,  these Cadets don’t let it deter them from living the Army way; if anything, it’s motivation to push through. Both of these Cadets say that for someone considering the Army, be it attending CST or joining an ROTC program, they can’t recommend it enough. 

“I say just do it, even just try it for a year,” Fewell said. “There’s no commitment so you can just try it out and put your feet in the water. Honestly, just show up and try to be an example; I’m just doing my best and trying to lead and do a good job. It’s fun and I feel like if someone tries it, they’re gonna love it.”

And for those that do give it a try, they’ll find something infinitely more important than any physical skill. 

“They’re gonna get a family,” Fewell said. “Honestly, all of these people over here with me at CST, being my battle buddies? I wouldn’t trade them for the world. In the Army, the friendships you make are forged in fire.”