FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, trekked in a four-mile march from Logistics Support Area Baker to Schroder Range at Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023. Once Cadets arrived at Schroder Range, Cadre instructed them to shoot for two rounds at pop-up targets. This event is better known as battle march, and shoot. The objective of battle march, and shoot is for Cadets to receive a simulated combat experience. Cadet Kaitlyn Sheridan from Ohio University stated how she felt during the training under such poor weather conditions. “The road march here was pretty challenging due to [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – Cadets from the 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, faced their fears and rappelled down the 64-foot rappel tower at Fort Knox, Ky., June 21, 2023. The purpose of the rappel tower training is to provide Cadets with the ability to overcome their fears, know how to safely rappel for the future, and build team cohesion. Cadet Kelly Godsey, University of New Mexico, felt ready to conquer the rappel tower. “I felt excited,” Godsey said. “I love rappelling, and I love doing things outside, just doing physical things, so I was really excited to do it.” Godsey has prior [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, take their land navigation qualification at Training Area 14, Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Land navigation examines Cadets on their ability to read a map and navigate unfamiliar terrains.  Cadets are given a timed limit of four hours to complete their training using a map, compass, protractor, and a pencil.  Unlike other trainings that Cadets receive, they cannot rely on the help from other Cadets or communicate with each other.   “You have to have a tactical approach to land navigation,” said Spc. Kaitlyn Shulaman, Cadre leader. “You don’t have [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, rotate through eight stations during their warrior skills training at the Richardson Training Area, June 14, 2023. The eight stations at warrior skills training includes: hand grenades, claymore mines, troop leading procedures, range cards, route planning, direct fire planning, rehearsal types and linear danger area.  A key objective for Cadets during warrior skills training is to become accustomed with combat environments and weapons. Cadets wear protective gear such as gloves, eye protection and advanced combat helmets to ensure safety during each mission. During Cadet Summer Training, the drills that Cadets complete [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets complete their weapons qualification at Pells Range, Fort Knox, Ky., June 18, 2023.  Cadets spent the last three days preparing. Prior to making it to weapons qualifications, Cadets must go through the preliminary marksmanship instruction, the engagement skills trainer, and then, group and zero on the days leading up to qualifications day.  Cadets will complete a practice round before participating in the official qualifications round. Cadet Haley Higgins, University of Central Missouri, scored a 23 on the practice round of the qualifications. Cadets must hit a minimum of 23 out of 40 [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky., – The 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets started their morning soaked in rain during the Army combat fitness test at Fort Knox, Ky., June 19, 2023.  The first physical requirement that Cadets completed was the ACFT, which measured their physical fitness. The ACFT consists of six events: the three-repetition max deadlift, the standing power throw, hand-release pushups, sprint-drag-carry, plank and two-mile run. Cadet Alexander Bradley, Texas A&M University Central Texas, is one Cadet who completed the ACFT. “Fitness is one of the most important things that the military looks for,” Bradley said. “It’s essentially a baseline for being [...]

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 [...]

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., – 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 [...]