FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets assigned to 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed Warrior Skills training on Fort Knox, Ky., June 26, 2025, building the vital foundational skills that they will need to be effective leaders during Cadet Summer Training and as officers.

WS training teaches Cadets critical skills such as how to camouflage themselves and their equipment, hand signals, how to call for fire and how to use the radio to communicate clearly and effectively.

“As future officers, being leaders in the Army, it’s very important for us to have these basics down,” said Cadet Haden Smith, University of North Florida. “So that when we are leading future enlisted Soldiers, they can come to us for questions they may have, and we should be able to solve them quickly.”

The skills learned at WS training build the foundational components that Cadets need for the field training exercise, where they will have to combine everything they have learned to be able to complete each phase successfully.

“(The FTX) is a culmination of all these years of training that (we) have built up in our MS one through three years,” said Smith. “That culminating event has got a lot of us very excited to get out there and put our skills to the test.”

Even though the days of the FTX may be grueling, the foundation of trust between Cadets can make those moments in the field just a little bit easier.

Similarly to Smith, Cadet Isabelle Boykin, Oregon State University, is excited and ready to take on the FTX phases – Wolverine, Panther and Grizzley.

“I’m so excited for (the FTX),” said Boykin. “All of my school year has been (spent) preparing for this, and I feel super prepared, excited and ready.”

Like many events at CST, Cadets must work together to complete the FTX effectively. Boykin says that cohesiveness in her squad and helping each other learn are essential components for being successful.

“Know that we are a team,” said Boykin. “We’re able to work with our squad to go over things, quiz each other and make sure we know exactly what we’re talking about.”

Through WS training, Cadets are not only honing their tactical skills but also reinforcing the teamwork and camaraderie that are vital in communicating effectively while in the field. Looking forward to the FTX and beyond, these foundational skills that Cadets have learned serve as a steppingstone in their development as future Army officers.