FORT KNOX, Ky — The 2nd Regiment of Advance Camp Cadets arrived at Fort Knox, Ky, for Cadet Summer Training (CST) on June 8, 2026. CST is intended to train ROTC Cadets to develop their leadership abilities, prepare them to meet Army standards, and evaluate the Cadets’ potential in becoming commissioned officers.

Despite being the 2nd Regiment to arrive at Fort Knox, many of the Cadets expressed feeling nervous about some aspects of CST.

“Maybe the AFT, just a little bit, because it’s tomorrow,” said Cadet Toluwanimi Ibuoye, a Cadet assigned to Delta Company, 1st Platoon from Howard University. “But I’m just ready to get it done.”

Other Cadets, like Jamie Sessions, a Cadet assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon, are more worried about other major exercises that Cadets experience during CST.

“Confidence Course is always a big thing,” he said. “But I think trying not to worry about it too much is the benefit. I previously thought I might not be ready yet, but after coming here and finishing up the gear checkout, I feel more ready than I felt before.”

But despite every Cadet having their own reason for joining ROTC, one reason stands out more than the others — family.

Cadet Dainah Adkins, assigned to Bravo Company from University of Arkansas, joined ROTC because of her mom.

“My mom wanted to do this when she was younger, and she didn’t get to because she had me,” Adkins said. “I did do it for her, but I also did it for myself.”

As a high school student, Adkins said that she asked for a sign. Immediately following that prayer, Adkins’s social media was flooded with Army posts, and the very next day, an Army recruiter came to her class. After that, she knew what she needed to do.

“It’s challenging and it’s keeping me on my toes,” Adkins said. “She is very proud, and I’m so happy that she’s happy.”

Cadet Toluwanimi Ibuoye has a similar reasoning for joining ROTC — an uncle that serves in the Army.

“Just knowing that he came from Nigeria to join and serve the country, I feel like that was really inspirational,” Ibuoye said.”I think [that] is my biggest reason.”

Despite the nerves, many Cadets expressed excitement about not only certain exercises and training courses that they will experience over the summer, but also about the lessons that they will learn during their time at Fort Knox.

“Definitely confidence,” Ibuoye said. “I feel like sometimes, when it comes to field tactics, [I feel] like someone that’s a bit in the background. But I feel like with this, it will really allow me to be more bold and more confident.”

But other Cadets are more excited as to how their time during CST will benefit them when it comes time for them to commission.

“I think the experience of CST will push us even further,” said Sessions. “It’ll push us past the boundaries that we thought we had, and it’ll push us into being the best.”