FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp, celebrated their Family Day, August 2, 2024, on Fort Knox. This event is an occasion where they reunite with loved ones after their training and serves as a precursor to their graduation.

For Cadet Colin Stouffer, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, this day was an opportunity to reunite with his father. Reflecting on the experience, Stouffer expressed excitement about reaching the end of training.

“It feels so great,” Stouffer said. “Freedom. The only word I got right now is freedom.”

Stouffer, who has prior military experience, found the training very familiar thanks to his previous experiences.

“I did prior service. I did six months for basic, so Advanced Camp felt like a cakewalk,” Stouffer explained. “It was a good refresher for information I already knew and an opportunity to get closer with future Second Lieutenants. It was really nice.”

Among the memories made during training, Stouffer reflects a pivotal moment that that brought his team together when they were in the Field Training Exercise.

“I remember being in the field with the others, embracing the challenges together,” Stouffer said. “You really don’t know what the trials are until you’re under a thunderstorm for four hours straight. I think that was probably my best memory.”

Family Day was special for Stouffer, as his father, a retired Staff Sergeant, was present. His father works with the ROTC program at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, providing his son with a support system. Stouffer acknowledged his family’s military background as an influence on his decision to join ROTC.

“I come from a big military family,” Stouffer said. “My dad was an E-6 and then became an officer, and my grandfather did the same thing. My stepdad just got out of being a Command Sergeant Major.”

Reflecting on the lessons learned during Advanced Camp, Stouffer highlighted the importance of leading by example.

“A big lesson learned was leading from the front,” Stouffer said. “If you really want the soldiers to look at you in a high regard, show your leadership skills. If you step up as a leader, show that you care, and do well at that, they will look forward to you and your leadership.”

Looking back on his journey, Stouffer had advice for his past self.

“My advice to a younger me would be to keep your head up,” Stouffer said. “Keep going, and embrace any challenges headed your way.”

With graduation right on the horizon, Family Day for 7^th Regiment, Advanced Camp, allows Cadets to reap the rewards from their hardships by spending it with their families. They carry the skills, experiences, and lessons learned during their training. The culmination of their training is not only an end, but a beginning of their future roles as leaders in the military.