FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Anna Johnson from Michigan State University, Advanced Camp, 8th Regiment, recovers after the Field Training Exercise, at Densberger, Fort Knox, Ky., August 2, 2023. While cleaning her M-4 Carbine Rifle, Johnson described the pressure she felt while working together with her entire platoon to complete tactical missions in the field. “When you’re under stress or under pressure, you start to see a different side of people and how they develop as leaders,” Johnson explained. “At the baseline, everyone has to know these tactics and the basics of being a Soldier, so working as a whole not […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, entered the second stage of their Field Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 26, 2023.  Spending a total of 12 days in the field, Cadets complete groups of exercises, which are divided into 3 parts: Wolverine, Panther, and Grizzly. The Cadets are challenged mentally and physically before their skills are graded on the last day.  “We’re on our second mission, on the first day of Panther, and we’re completing an area defense,” said Cadet Phillip Jones, Alabama A&M. “Leadership is still processing the last few parts of our plan to […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Situational Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Ky., July 23, 2023. STX is an event that focuses on squad communication and tactics in a combat-like setting to qualify and become future U.S. Army leaders. Multiple scenarios test Cadets on their ability to work as a team and carry out their responsibilities in a timely manner. Cadet Trey Crow, from Harding University, shares his thoughts about the process of the STX. “It just helps you to learn teamwork with the new group of soldiers that you have just been introduced […]

FORT KNOX, Ky.– At Cadet Summer Training, Cadets come from across the United States and beyond to learn. One of the Army’s greatest strengths is its diversity and Cadet Rahul Khanal from the University of Colorado Denver, shares how his story of duty and pride has carried him across oceans to become an Army officer. Originally from Nepal in South Asia, Khanal traveled to the United States when he was 19 years old. “This was the land of opportunity. I was going to college, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology,” Khanal said. “I got a chance to join the military […]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Warrior Skills training event at Fort Knox, Ky., July 20, 2023. Warrior Skills introduces Cadets to many procedures that focus on the fundamentals of munitions and range finding. The Cadets have hands-on experience that allow them to understand important Soldiering tactics. Cadet Brandon De La Rosa, from East Stroudsburg University, shares his thoughts on the importance of Warrior Skills. “I was successful in throwing today because the grenade was like a baseball,” De la Rosa said. “A lot of kids grew up playing baseball, including me, so it was […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, spent the first half of the day learning the basics of first aid, radio usage, and squad formations at Fort Knox, KY., July 20, 2023. Knowing how to communicate and assist battle buddies is crucial for the Cadets to learn before beginning a Field Training Exercise. “We’re learning things like T-Triple C, which is Tactical Combat Casualty Care, or how to tactically care for someone who’s been wounded in combat,” said Cadet Eric Truong, University of Central Florida, “We’re also learning about radios, [Advanced System Improvement Program] radios, how to load […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the Field Leader Reaction Course on Fort Knox, Ky., July 17, 2023.   FLRC is a teamwork-based course in which Cadets complete challenging scenarios with the purpose of growing leadership and team-building skills. “We’re given challenges and obstacles to get across,” said Cadet Katrina Thoms, Stephen F. Austin State University. “Some are impossible, some just take a lot of planning, but as a team, we work together to accomplish the task at hand.” In preparation for the various obstacles, Cadets are given a scenario as well as a series of […]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from the 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their daytime land navigation test on Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Land navigation acts as a tool to teach Cadets to maneuver various terrains while locating the intended checkpoints. “We’re taught a couple days before and after our exercises how to use our tools like the protractor and compass and apply them,” said Cadet Kenneth Smith, University of Dayton. “You’ve got options on how to complete this and you find a preference through the practices we do in the coming days.” This exercise pushes Cadets into scenarios that […]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – U.S. Army Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp participated in Group and Zero as part of Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2023. “Grouping” is aligning firearm sights for accurate shooting while “zeroing” is calibrating the sights for accurate aiming at a specific distance. These skills are essential for Cadets to maintain shooting accuracy in a multitude of combat situations.   Cadet Grace Whaley from Norwich University shares her experience during Group & Zero. “I was nervous, I am usually not a good shot and never really practiced shooting until I came here,” Whaley […]

Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete their M4 Qualification at Pells ARF Range, Fort Knox, Ky., July 12, 2023. The M4 Qualification is a training event that focuses on a multitude of tasks for Cadets aspiring to become future Army Officers for the US Army. Learning basic marksmanship skills is crucial to this process and ensures Cadets can properly handle a standard military issued weapon. Cadet Ronald Heacock from Tarleton State University shares his thoughts on the importance of this training. “This is something I’ve never done before, so it’s all very new to me,” Heacock said. “I have gone […]