CST, CST 2025, Leadership Excellence, comradery, friendship, personal growth, trust
His eyes burned from the sleepless night, and every blink felt like a gamble. It was his third hour on security, and his body begged for sleep. Despite the struggle, Cadet Cannon Allen, Illinois State University – Central, 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, refused to let sleep win. His squad was counting on him, and he knew—somewhere in the shroud of darkness—another Cadet was fighting for him too.
As grenades soar through the air, boots pound against the ground and Cadre yell out instructions, Cadets navigate the hand grenade assault course, July 17, 2025. The hand grenade assault course reinforces movement training while introducing grenades to their skillset.
Cadet Ty Rouse, East Carolina University, assigned to 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, tackled the course, finding that it was a lot more difficult than expected.
Basic Camp, Army ROTC, Forest Hill Climbing Complex, Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox
Her boots reached the edge of the log as she gazed down at her feet—seven feet above the rubber mulch pit—she prepared for the leap onto the rope ladder. A smile overtook Cadet Claire Campbell’s face. She whispered, “1, 2, 3, go,” under her breath as her fresh soles sliced through the tense air. Relieved, she felt the embrace of rope welcome her onto the Forest Hill Climbing Complex on Fort Knox, Ky., July 9, 2025.
In the early hours of the day, Cadets assigned to Alpha Company, 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, marched to the starting point of the six-mile battle march and shoot, July 5, 2025. The star lit sky and chilling damp air encouraged Cadets before they stepped off to start their trek.
