Inhale. Exhale. Pull the trigger.
Lying prone under the hot sun, the cool metal of the gun pressed to their cheeks, Cadets at Fort Knox’s group and zero range improve their aim and familiarize themselves with how to safely handle firearms. On July 11, Cadets of 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp take to the range.
“More than anything, the Cadre in the Army are dealing with a wide range of skill levels,” said Cadet John Dana, Park University. “So what this exercise does is instill confidence in individuals who are perhaps very inexperienced–maybe this is the first time on the range for some Cadets.”
Cadets are graded on their accuracy and consistency as they try to tighten their shot grouping.
“I honestly am terrible at shooting, and I was actually decent today! I was so close [to meeting the standard],” Cadet Dorante Cuba, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said. “I just missed it by like, one point and so that’s okay, that just means I get more experience.”
Cadet Roxana Escobar, University of Texas at San Antonio, has served as active duty in the Army for the past six years. She’s come to camp this summer to advance her military career and she says she recognizes the importance of exercises like group and zero for Cadets.
“I think it will help us in our leadership abilities,” Escobar said. “I would never tell my Soldiers to do something I would never do, and Soldiers will definitely have to do this at some point in their lives. So for us to be able to experience it in order to lead others? It’s a perfect example of being a leader.”
Cadets with prior experience shooting, such as Cadet Jamal Williams, Marion Military Institute, who completes FTX throughout the school year with his program, are able to share tips and tricks with those struggling, as well as offer encouragement to their platoon.
“Make sure you try your best and just keep a good spirit,” Williams said. “It’s going to be hot. It’s going to be long days, but just keep that good spirit because at the end of the day you’re going to look back and really, really enjoy your experience here.”
Inhale. Exhale. Pull the trigger. Repeat.
About the Author: Ania Delaney Boutin
