4th Regiment Cadets completed training with the engagement skills trainer (EST) at Fort Knox, Ky., June 20, 2022.  EST, which is part of Cadet Summer Training, teaches Cadets some of the skills they need to qualify with their weapons. It is a simulated, digital range where Cadets can grow more comfortable with the M4 carbine. The training also allows them to practice techniques that will help them when they move to the live fire ranges.  Cadets at CST have varying levels of familiarity both with weapons and with the EST training itself.  Cadet Trejaun Smallwood from Liberty University said he has […]

3rd Regiment Cadets completed grouping and zeroing with their M4 carbines in preparation for their rifle qualification at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2022.  Cadet Vincent McGinnis, a graduate of Penn State Brandywine, said he enjoys grouping and zeroing. Grouping and zeroing, which is part of Cadet Summer Training helps Cadets be sure their sights are set properly.  “Grouping and zeroing entails taking five shot rounds and trying to place them as close to the center of the target as possible and making adjustments on your sight so that your sight lines up with where your rifle is aiming,” McGinnis said.  […]

4th Regiment Cadets completed their chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training and testing at Fort Knox, Ky., on June 15, 2022.  The training is part of Cadet Summer Training. It involved a safety brief, classes, tests, and then a short time in the confidence chamber. In the chamber, Cadets are exposed to CS gas. They have to perform several small exercises while wearing their masks. Then, they remove their masks.  Many Cadets feel nervous when thinking about entering the confidence chamber. For these Cadets, their squad and platoon can be a source of encouragement and motivation.  Cadet Hunter Cashmer from Clarion […]

1st Regiment Cadets trained on the rappel tower and confidence obstacle course as part of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 9, 2022.  Cadet Conor Custer from Lock Haven University enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 18. He attended air assault training, which he said helped him conquer his fear of heights. One obstacle involved climbing a rope, walking across beams and climbing down a rope net.  “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the ‘tough one’ obstacle, but other than that I passed all the obstacles that were over there and repelling – repelling is always fun,” […]

2nd Regiment Cadets tested for their basic rifle marksmanship qualification as part of their Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky.,  June 12, 2022.  Master Sgt. Benjamin Chumley with the 7th Brigade works at Middle Tennessee State University and was one of the Cadre at the qualification. Chumley said scoring is based on accuracy and how many hits a Cadet gets with 40 rounds of ammunition.  “23 out of 40 is a pass, but they are broken down into marksmen, sharpshooters and expert,” Chumley said.  Chumley said 23 to 30 is a marksman, 30 to 36 is a sharpshooter and 36 […]

2nd Regiment Cadets tested on land navigation for Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Ky., on June 6, 2022.  Staff Sgt. Lana Bansbach, with the 2nd Battalion of 319th Regiment, has been working on land navigation for five years. She said the Cadets receive different points to find. They get different lanes, which could be a mixture of similar points or different points to other Cadets.   Cadets worked to find four points using minimal equipment. Cadets had four hours to find three out of the four points to pass the test.  Cadets could not ask each other for help and […]

The 2nd Regiment Cadets practiced tactical combat casualty care at Fort Knox, Ky., on June 5, 2022.  This portion of Cadet Summer Training (CST) focused on teaching Cadets necessary medical skills to help a wounded Soldier in the field.  Staff Sgt. Mark Colburn said this training is different from all the other medical fields such as nursing or working as an EMT.  “The process is different when you’re reacting to an injury on the battlefield like if you’re actively getting shot at,” Colburn said. “It’s much different than treating somebody in a clinic, who has a broken leg or runny nose.”  […]

The first Regiment of Cadets went through chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training May 31, 2022. CBRN is one of the training events Cadets are required to complete for Cadet Summer Training (CST).  1st Lt. Adam Dykens, 21st Chemical Company, said this is a ten level warrior skills training for CBRN defense. Training includes donning of chemical defense equipment, detection of chemical defense equipment as well as reacting to nuclear, chemical and biological attacks.  Dykens said this training is important for future leaders, so they know how to respond to this type of warfare. This helps keep them and their […]

U.S. Army Soldiers spent a day training on the Schroeder Range at Fort Knox, Ky., May 26, 2022. These Soldiers were grouping and zeroing M4A1 carbines as part of their training in preparation for Cadet Summer Training (CST).  They will be the Cadre instructing the Cadets over the summer. Maj. Steve Paniati is an instructor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. At the university he teaches Military Science to Cadets in their junior year. He said the instructors spend all year getting the Cadets ready for CST.   “One example is coming to the range, so we do live fire with […]

A team of medical responders on Fort Knox in Kentucky worked on two heat casualties May 24, 2022. They rushed to get the two Soldiers onto the M997 Field Litter Ambulance, and back to Role 2 Field Hospital.  In reality, these Soldiers did not have heat injuries. This was a coordinated training exercise to prepare the medical team for Cadet Summer Training. There were a number of training scenarios throughout the day that helped the medical team practice necessary responses. This practice prepares the medical team to respond in case of Cadet injury during the summer. Pvt. Alex Velasquez with 3rd […]