FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, practice their shooting accuracy gushing an engagement skills trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Here, they get the opportunity to learn about their weapons. Similarly, Cadet Landon Dugas, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is in the same regiment as Smith. Dugas comes from a military family, and he has decided to follow in the footsteps of his father. During training, they learn different skills such as shooting positions, changing magazines, and practicing using their sights. The sight produces a red dot on the targeted area, ideally providing for [...]

Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, focus on mastering their skills with the M4 rifle at the group and zero portion of marksmanship at Fort Knox, Ky., June 17, 2023.

FORT KNOX, Ky. – During field leaders reaction course training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 17, 2023, small squads from the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets learned how to come together as they rotate from one station to the next. Capt. Eric Engel from the University of Cincinnati explained that FLRC is designed in a way that forces Advanced Camp Cadets to work together as a unit. “We have 16 lanes of squad obstacles here, and they approach each one from their own squad’s perspective, and one squad leader receives a mission brief,” said Engel. “They make decisions and communicate, and [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – The field leadership reaction course, known as FLRC, puts Cadet’s strength, quick thinking and teamwork to the test. Cadet Lauren Alexander, Indiana University, is doing her best to move as a member of a team during FLRC, June 15, 2023. “I think we are working extremely well, especially given that this is our first tactical event where people are switching leadership,” said Alexander.   Cadets must complete as many obstacle courses as possible within the four-hour time limit. A team leader receives a briefing from Cadre about the obstacle, then they inform their teammates about the rules [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – The 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets completed their confidence course training for Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023.  Cadet Hilda Sanchez from James Madison University said teamwork was important for completing the confidence course. She credited her squad’s motivation with helping her finish the training. “They just kept saying ‘Sanchez, you got this, you can do it,’” Sanchez said. “And, I’d be like ‘no, I’m too small.’ They’re like ‘no don’t even think about it, don’t even say you’re gonna try, you’re gonna do it,’ and they just kept motivating me and then, helping [...]

“You gotta want it; if you don’t want it, you’re not gonna get it,” Cadet John Babbitts, College of William and Mary.  FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the battle march and shoot at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Cadets woke up around 4:00 a.m. before stepping off for the 4-mile ruck to the battle march and shoot. A ruck is a backpack that Cadets are required to have at Cadet Summer Training. The minimum weight for a ruck is 35-40 pounds, and the point of the ruck is to provide Cadets with important military [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets spent the day participating in the warrior skills training, in Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Cadets went through eight stations, including learning how to use claymore mines, employ hand grenades, and complete special team tasks. The special teams tasks teach Cadets how to move as a squad, move through dangerous areas, react to contact, check enemy prisoners of war, and prepare injured friendlies for evacuation. Cadet Jonathan Michael, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, reflects on the importance of the warrior skills training event during Cadet Summer Training. “It is important [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Although the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets had to scale down a 64-foot rappel tower solo, no Cadet felt truly alone during rappel tower training in Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Whether it be through securing somebody’s rope harness or cheering loudly, the 3rd Regiment Cadets found various ways to support one another throughout the entirety of training. Master Sgt. Joshua Geery from the University of Kansas has enjoyed watching the Cadets build bonds with one another during Cadet Summer Training. Geery works as a member of the platoon training officer team, and one of his [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence chamber at Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Cadets were taught a class on CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear), where they learned how to trust in their equipment which consisted of gas masks and protective suits. Cadet Andrew Weston, Virginia Military Institute said that he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because he wanted to continue his family’s legacy and give back to his nation. Weston said that his nation has provided him with wonderful things, places he’s seen and experienced. Before entering the gas chamber, Weston [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets went through their last application hand-off range training before qualifying their weapons later today at Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Capt. Aaron Ryan, 3rd Brigade United States Army Cadet Command, explains what Cadets must do during this training. “There’s three targets: the 300-meter target, the 150 and the 70-meter,” Ryan said. “There’s three magazines with 10 rounds each, and you want to put all 10 rounds into those targets to confirm your zero.” Ryan also explained that the 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets went through group and zero training yesterday, where [...]