FORT KNOX, Ky. — When cadets came to Cadet Summer Training to form 8^th Regiment, they left their families behind during the 31 days at Advanced Camp. While at camp, cadets find family in their peers and cadre they meet.

Once cadets arrive, they are broken up into four companies, four different teams, all working towards the same thing — to graduate.

They have to remember that at the end of the day, they all wear the same uniform. For Cadet Odali Perez, from the University of California, Santa Barbara, assigned to Bravo company, these moments come in humorous ways.

While talking about why she joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, a shower of “BOOOOOOOOO’SSSSSSSS” filled the air and they came from none other than Alpha Company cadets that were passing by.

“That’s Alpha, that’s our rival right there, they stole our streamer last night,” Perez said. “We woke up at 12 a.m. to try to take their guidon, and somehow they stole our streamer.”

“It’s fun, because just like that, even when they pass by, sometimes it gets really bad,” Perez said. “They’ll start barking or boo-ing. But it makes us more competitive and we want to try harder to get streamers or just better scores to show that we’re the best.”

Like the saying goes, iron sharpens iron and the companies having a little friendly competition makes everyone perform better. It is not always about competition but also bonding between all the cadets.

“Last night, we actually stayed out in the field here, and it was so much fun. We got to set up tarps together, and we were just laughing our butts off,” Perez said. “We were playing games, like mafia, we just all got together. It was very fun, and it was a lot of bonding. It was probably the best day and best night.”

Families do not just come out of thin air though, they are created, and for Cadet Marion Fiame from the University of Missouri, it has been one of his favorite parts of CST.

“It’s been great, you meet so many different people with so many different experiences, you meet people that have been in the army already, prior enlisted and then people that are brand new and fresh,” Fiame said.

The forced proximity for 31 days offers cadets the chance to connect and bond through the camp experience.

“Being able to share experiences and share some similar backgrounds has been awesome,” Fiame said. “You just meet so many new people, and I’ve been really enjoying it.”

Another part of being in a family is having each other’s backs and people to rely on. For Cadet Brooklyn Kay of Oregon State University, it’s not only her battle buddies that have her back but also cadre.

Kay was cleaning her rifle the day before qualification and noticed the firing pin was broken on her M4 Carbine. Kay was unsure what to do, wondering if she could push on or if she would be left behind.

However, with the cadre doing what they do best, assisting and making sure cadets are set up for success were able to come through and help her.

“I told the cadre and they were like, ‘oh my gosh,’” Kay said. “So everyone was lining up to qualify and my weapon was non-functional. So they had to rush and go find a new pin and bring it back.”

The effort from the cadre was appreciated and Kay made sure it was worth the while.

“When I finally got to shoot, I was the last of the line and I ended up getting a 32 out of 40, so it was worth it,” Kay said.