­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After finishing up their field training exercises, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in an early morning 10K road march during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 10, 2023. The Cadets spent two days out in the field for the FTX, then woke up at around 2:30 a.m. to march a little over six miles back to the barracks. Once the road march was over, Cadet Grant Schaefer from Norwich University said that he had a good experience and felt motivated and energized. “It was cool to see everyone doing it all together,” Schaefer [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After sleeping outside in the early morning hours, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the field training exercises during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 8, 2023. The FTX lanes simulate real-life tactical scenarios that allow Cadets to improve their skills and gain more practical field experience. The three lanes they enact are squad ambush, squad attack and movement to contact. Cadet Racquel Wilson from Florida Atlantic University said that the purpose of these exercises is for Cadets to take what they learned in the classroom and physically put it to the test [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – At approximately 4 p.m. on August 3rd, 1973, Richard Spencer raised his right hand and recited the oath of an Army Officer after graduating from Jacksonville State University and completing the Army ROTC program. This newly commissioned lieutenant was heading to Airborne School that afternoon full of excitement. Little did the then 2nd Lt. Spencer know what the next 50 years would hold. Spencer began serving in the Active Duty Army in January of 1974 as a Military Police Officer. “My first duty assignment was very unique since I had a college degree, which was very unusual [...]

­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Forest Hills Climbing Complex during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 2, 2023. The FHCC is meant to help Cadets overcome their fears and gain confidence in themselves and their equipment while completing different climbing obstacles. These obstacles include the Moore’s Mountain rock-climbing wall, the Alpine Towers and the Rudder’s Ropes Course. Despite not having any prior experience with climbing, Cadet Amaya Bradford, Towson University, said that she completed the course a lot better than she thought she would. “I was pretty nervous coming up and [...]

Special Awards Recipients Military Order of the Purple Heart Badge of Merit AwardCadet Troy Bannister, Florida State University Military Order of the World Wars AwardCadet William Breen, Benedictine College Military Officers Association of America AwardCadet Maia James-Daniels, Florida A&M University AUSA Warrior Ethos AwardCadet Jordan Smith, University of Nebraska at Lincoln First Command Financial Services AwardCadet Rachel Oh, San Jose State University Armed Forces Bank Performance AwardCadet John Powers, Central Texas College Reserve Organization of America AwardCadet Delilah Kitsakos, New Mexico Military Insitute Society of American Military Engineers AwardCadet Louise Bonnimond, The Citadel Bold Leader Spirit AwardCadet Rosean Rhone, University of [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the Military Blood Drive at Fort Knox, Ky., August 3, 2023. The Military Blood Drive allows Cadets to have their blood drawn which is tested and collected to be given to service members, Department of Defense employees and civilian families in need. Cadet Melissa Esswein from the University of Michigan shares her thoughts pertaining to the blood drive. “I think the blood drive is important because it’s a great way to give back to the community,” Esswein said. “In a military setting, accidents happen, people get injured, and it’s [...]

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. – During Cadet Summer Training, Cadets from Advanced Camp, 7th Regiment, donate blood at the Armed Services Blood Program’s blood drive at Smith Gym, Fort Knox, Ky., July 31, 2023.   Throughout CST, the Armed Services Blood Program hosts multiple blood drives, giving Cadets the opportunity to potentially save lives through their blood donations. Sgt. Andrew Smith III from Fort Moore, Ga., explained why the blood drive is an important activity for Cadets to participate in. “These Cadets are going to be our future leaders, so we want to get it in their mind that once they become [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, completed their daytime land navigation exercise on Fort Knox, Ky., July 30, 2023. Land navigation acts as a tool to teach Cadets to maneuver through various terrains while locating the intended checkpoints. “Land navigation is the practice of finding where you’re going from your current location,” said Cadet Robert Esgro, Penn State. “We don’t know where we’re going, so every step is a step into the unknown.” This exercise exists so that Cadets can develop their planning skills as well as learn to think more critically about the situations they are [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – Cadets from the 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed their Warrior Skills training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 30, 2023. The Warrior Skills training is an event that teaches and improves Cadets’ tactical skills for the field. Cadets learn about the fundamentals of munitions and practice what they have learned in a hands-on environment. Cadet Elena Oliver from Pacific Lutheran University shares her thoughts on the Warrior Skills training. “I think I did pretty well, and it was nice to refresh our skills in the field,” Oliver said. “It was good to interact with everything, and see how [...]