2nd Regiment, Basic Camp photo album. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCkVen

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, broke through the tree line, becoming protected by the woodland canopy of the Field Training Exercise site, July 28, 2025. There, they coordinated their simulated attack on an enemy position, which lay just on the other side of the wooded brush.

In a moment of stealth, the air was quiet and undisturbed—no one could hear the whisper of squad leaders such as Tyler Jurnak, Norwich University. A Cadet inspired by his military family history, dating back to his grandfather in the 101st Airborne during World War ll.

With his prior time in the Civil Air Patrol, a disaster and emergency relief service, Jurnak had a head start in developing the qualities of a Cadet.

“It taught me a lot of valuable lessons in the military,” Jurnak said. “I learned how to march, how to salute. It really set me up for ROTC.”

When the plan of attack was decided, the Cadets divided into teams. One that would stay under the canopy of the trees and press a centered strike onto the enemy position. The other would splinter off and flank them from the side.

Bravo team, Jurnak’s squad, was the latter. And as a squad leader, his Soldiers were going to succeed. He and his team moved down the tree line and around the target position.

“I made sure they were all good with their weapons and water,” Jurnak said. “My team listened to me, and I listened to them.”

Jurnak also knows where he needs to improve as a leader.

“I could have been a little louder on the lane (talking to my team) because of the blanks going off.”

He intends to branch into aviation when he goes through Advanced Camp next year, hoping to fulfill the thrill and excitement he had growing up next to an airport. But what pushes him doesn’t stop on the tarmac

“A lot of people inspire me in my life,” he said. “Especially, my parents. But throughout my whole childhood, the person who inspired me the most besides my grandfather, was Maj. Richard Winters.”

Richard Winters was a World War ll Easy Company paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, chronicled by the HBO series “Band of Brothers” and the book with the same name. He is revered for his leadership and command during the liberation of Europe.

Jurnak intends to follow Winters’ example.

“I’m trying to be a person motivated by my values of integrity, of my volunteer service and my courage.”

He used that courage in execution of the FTX.

Once Jurnak’s team was in a flanking position, they had the go-ahead to fire upon the enemy first. The Cadets stepped out of the brush and opened fire on the target—immediately joined by the other team’s volley. In a matter of seconds, the Cadets won the enemy position.