FORT KNOX, Ky., – As the temperature rose with the sun, Cadets assigned to 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, learned the ins and outs of their weapon system and various shooting techniques during preliminary marksmanship instruction, June 23, 2025.

For some Cadets, this was their first time learning how to shoot an M4 carbine, but for Quinton Ryerson, Lincoln University, 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, his experience goes back to 2018.

Ryerson joined the Missouri National Guard seven years ago and has one more year until he is slated to commission and is hoping to go active duty.

“There have been things I have been doing (for proper marksmanship) since I joined in 2018 that I have now been given updated information on,” Ryerson said. “I’m still applying changes to my shooting process, so PMI is still very valuable.”

Although 4th Regiment has only been on Fort Knox, Ky., since June 15, they have had multiple opportunities to be a team as they learn new skills from the Cadre and other Cadets.

Ryerson has always been interested in pursuing leadership roles. He was a long-distance track runner but was more interested in the teamwork aspect of other sports. He grew up playing football and observed his high school coach’s ability to mentor a team and achieve a common goal.

“It’s a process I have really fallen in love with,” Ryerson said. “I’ve seen how a good leader can really impact people and change lives for the better.”

During this year’s Cadet Summer Training every Cadet will be assessed by Cadre after being assigned a leadership role for 24 hours. On Ryerson’s first day of Advanced Camp, he caught a glimpse of what it is like to be a platoon leader and attempt to execute the mentorship he observed many years ago as an athlete.

Ryerson’s job was to be the mind behind planning and operations. He sent out timelines to his platoon for the next days training, expecting everyone to be on board with an early wake-up call. Ryerson received feedback from his platoon expressing their concerns in the plan, so he gave them more time to sleep.

“I had to learn a very valuable lesson about not caving into pressure and going with your gut because the next day a couple people were late for formation and it was my fault,” Ryerson said.

After his 24 hours in a leadership role, Ryerson was assessed. He learned how to correct his mistakes and continue portraying his best leadership qualities.

His assessment helped him reflect on his own skills and abilities to lead. Ryerson’s desire to instill a teamwork mentality in his platoon is rooted in his ability to develop a positive and motivating environment.

“You take the good with the bad and then you learn how to improve from your mistakes,” Ryerson said.

From observing his football coach during his teenage years to taking on the role of platoon leader, Ryerson has learned the value of resilience and how to portray the qualities you are looking for in a team. According to him, the most valuable lesson you can learn during CST is how to correct your mistakes and improve your leadership skills.