FORT KNOX, Ky. — Anticipation and nerves were running wild around Brooks Field as the cadets assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, competed in a drill and ceremony competition on July 30, 2026 — a tournament where cadets from each company are evaluated on their discipline, teamwork, precision and drill and ceremony standards.

But despite the anxiety rushing through each of the cadets, Alpha Company pushed through and were named the winners of the competition, with Bravo Company coming in second.

And according to the cadets, all of the practice they had leading up to today was worth it.

Cadet Sean Juhasz, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from Cal State University, Fullerton, believes that all of the hard work his company put into their routine finally showed the rest of 2nd Regiment that they are “the best company.”

“I think we worked really hard and we finally put that into action,” Juhasz said. “Throughout the competition, we have been watching other platoons [and] seeing how we fare against them. But I think we finally showed them that we are the best company. We are the alphas.”

However, the road to that victory was not an easy one.

Cadet Joelle Wise, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, claimed that the process was a lot of trial and error.

“We failed. A lot. We all had to mess up at some point to learn from our mistakes. It was hard, but we got it,” Wise said. “I was nervous, but I kind of had to realize that if we messed up, then we messed up. All of our practice was going to be worth it.”

Cadet Ausha Daniels, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from Georgia Military College, felt similarly.

“It was definitely stressful. Most of us did not know how to do drill and ceremony at all, so we had to start from scratch,” Daniels said. “[I feel] relieved, because the pressure was definitely on.”

Now, with graduation right around the corner, these cadets are more than ready to leave basic camp behind them and move onto the next chapter of their lives. For some of them, that comes in the form of the front door of their home, and for others, it is a hot meal from their favorite restaurant.

However, one thing remains constant throughout each of these cadets’ minds as their time at CST comes to an end.

“Alpha leads the way.”