Fort Knox – Army officers ran through the Beaudoin Obstacle Course for Observer, Coach, Trainer Academy, June 9, 2025. The group will be assigned to Cadets assigned to 3^rd Regiment, Advanced Camp this summer, the academy is designed to prepare the Cadre for Cadets’ arrival.

OC/Ts are Soldiers certified to observe training exercises, coach and train individuals and units, and provide input after exercises to further elevate unit readiness levels.

A squad of nine were assigned a leader then completed the obstacle course while moving a manakin, designed as an injured Soldier, to an extraction point. The rest of the Cadre assessed them with the same score cards used to evaluate Cadets.

The Cadre were briefed on how to fill the cards out the day prior, this training is meant to put that information into practice. They are required to fairly observe and evaluate Cadets using the cards.

Cpt. Marcus Norton, University of Southern California Army ROTC, said this is essential for the Cadre.

“It’s very important that Cadre receive what the Cadets are going to experience,” said Norton. “We can assess them better and see what they are going through.”

Many of the Cadre have been in the same shoes as the Cadets.

2^nd Lt. Christian Larvie, recent graduate of Virginia Military Institute, attended Cadet Summer Training last year. He said the hands-on experience he received at CST has helped propel him into leadership.

“CST, out of everything, was the thing that prepared me the most,” said Larvie. “I was an athlete in college, so when other kids were doing (Army) ROTC time, I’d usually be doing athletics.”

Now as a Cadre member, Larvie said his goals are shaped by his experience as a Cadet at CST.

“Last year a big part of my success at CST were my Cadre,” said Larvie. “They built a positive environment; I’m just trying to work off of that.”

Looking forward he aims to support his Cadets, being there with anything they need.