FORT KNOX, Kentucky – Cadets with 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, take a virtual step toward their marksmanship qualification through completion of the Engagement Skills Trainer on Fort Knox, July 15, 2024. A virtual shooting simulator, EST allows Cadets to practice their fundamental skills in firing their M4 Carbine in a controlled indoor environment before engaging in live fire at the range.   Groups of Cadets practice their shooting positions as they wait to be tested. With this time to practice, Cadets are also given the opportunity to converse with each other, giving out advice and reassurance for the exercise to come. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, practiced firing their rifles during the Engagement Skills Trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., July 16, 2023. Designed to simulate a weapons qualification, EST allows Cadets to learn how to use their rifle before they go into the field. As they start their firing practice, some Cadets use their past experiences, Cadre, or family, for inspiration or advice. “EST is a training facility for us to utilize and practice our shooting skills,” said Cadet Amy Beaven, Northern Arizona University. “It’s a great way for people to either learn how to use their [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets completed their training on the engagement skills trainer for Cadet Summer Training, Fort Knox, Ky., June 23, 2023.  This training allows Cadets to learn how to handle their weapons properly before they move onto their group and zero training, weapons qualification, and their battle march and shoot.  “Well, today we’re doing EST, the electric range, so we went out there and we practiced ‘dot 40,’ we did stage five and stage six, and we’re qualifying,” said Cadet Joel Frederickson from Missouri University of Science and Technology. “We’re getting ready for grouping and [...]

Cadets of 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, spend the day preparing for marksmanship qualification and received a virtual glance at what the real test will look like at Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023.

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in the engagement skills trainer during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 18, 2023. The EST is a virtual shooting simulator that allows Cadets to practice their shooting accuracy before qualifying their weapons later during CST. During this training, Cadets participate in different exercises that help them practice changing M4 carbine magazines and moving between the four proper firing positions. The four firing positions are kneeling, standing and prone (supported and unsupported). It is important for Cadets to know how to perform these positions before qualifying their weapons at [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, spent the day completing the engagement skills trainer exercise in Fort Knox, Ky., June 11, 2023. The EST is a simulated rifle qualification table. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Robert Points, senior military science instructor at Truman State University, explains the importance of EST training. “Some of these Cadets don’t have the opportunity to handle weapons as much,” Points said. “The engagement skills trainer is a cheap and easy way that they can learn to handle those weapons systems and practice fundamentals without having to spend ammunition and time on getting [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the engagement skills trainer at Fort Knox, Ky., June 8, 2023. The EST is a virtual shooting simulator that allows Cadets to practice how to properly handle an M4 rifle while going through the motions of reloading their magazine and conducting the three firing positions that they must conduct in prone supported and prone unsupported.  The three firing positions consist of prone, kneeling, and standing. Cadets have to know how to effectively perform these positions before qualifying for the range where they use live ammunition later this week and have [...]