Fort Knox, Ky. – As the summer heat sets in, Cadets, assigned to 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, are completing the most challenging part of their journey through Cadet Summer Training. Following three days and nights in the woods of Kentucky, Cadets performed their final ‘Panther’ mission, completing phase two of their field training exercise, June 25, 2025.

For the past 25 days these Cadets have challenged themselves as individuals, gaining weapon familiarity, strengthening their self-confidence and learning how to operate in high-pressure situations.

As they near the end of camp, the combination of these skills is put to the test. In addition to reliance on their own abilities, Cadets must be able to trust their teammates.

Cadet Natan Blumberg, Rutgers University, was assigned the role of weapons squad leader during today’s exercise. On top of overseeing his peers, this was also Blumberg’s first time using the M240 machine gun and M249 Squad Assault Weapon.

As an assessment of the past 25 days, he acknowledged the necessary stress this training induced.

“You can’t stay in your comfort zone forever, that’s not how it works,” said Blumberg. “CST really forces you to make decisions because as leaders that’s what you have to do.”

Blumberg knew he wanted to join the Army since eighth grade, it’s here he’s found a community that feels like family. From three years under his belt as a ROTC student to three weeks at CST, this sense of brotherhood has remained the same.

In addition to being assigned accountability for weapons, Blumberg was graded on the control over his squad. He reflected on his goal coming into CST – breaking out of his shell to confidently make commands.

“Through junior year and CST I’ve become more extroverted because I have to,” said Blumberg. “It’s okay to be a quiet leader, but you have to know how to command and control with your voice.”

According to Blumberg, this transition into a self-assured leader at CST couldn’t have occurred without his comrades beside him.

“You see everyone else around you trying to improve themselves, and I think it heavily promotes that ‘hey, I need to do better’ and be all I can be,” said Blumberg.

Cadet Aria Kundo, Duke University, also recognized the connection between the lessons learned during CSTs prior events and graded skills during the FTX.

She calls the control over stress transferable, overcoming a fear of heights on the rappel tower led her to calmly leading her peers against simulated enemy fire.

“Overcoming your fears, overcoming challenges and being able to deal with the hits you take has all led up to these missions we’re running,” said Kundo. “It feels good leading my platoon because you know they have your back.”

Blumberg and Kundo credited their individual progress to 3rd Platoon’s family-like dynamic. Through an understanding of each member’s strengths and weaknesses they’ve entered the combat simulation knowing how to perform at their best.

Moving into their last and most challenging simulated combat mission tomorrow, the ‘Grizzly’ phase of FTX, Kundo trusts her peers and thus their ability to succeed.

“Being able to rely on your battle buddy plays a huge role, I’m glad we all have a great platoon and great company,” said Kundo. “Just like I had their back for their missions, I know they’ll have mine.”