Cadet Summer Training (CST)
The Cadet Summer Training (CST) is now held annually at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The U.S. Army's largest training exercise, CST is the U.S. Army Cadet Command's capstone training event attended by all Cadets between their Junior and Senior year.
The purpose of the course is to train U.S. Army ROTC Cadets to Army standards, to develop their leadership skills, and to evaluate their officer potential. Most Army Cadets attend CST between their junior and senior undergraduate years after having contracted to join the Army. Successful completion of CST is a prerequisite to becoming an Army officer through ROTC.
The 34-day course starts with individual training and leads to collective training, building from simple to complex tasks. This building-block approach permits integration of previously-learned skills into follow-on training. This logical, common-sense training sequence is maintained for each training cycle. Every day at CST is a day of training.
Land Navigation
Land Navigation training must be mastered early in the training cycle for the Cadets
to be fully successful in the tactical training which follows. The Land Navigation
evaluation consists of both a written exam and practical applicatio during the day
and night. Prior to Land Navigation, cadets will learn field craft while living and
sleeping in the woods. They will set up field-expedient shelters using ponchos and
whatever else is available. They'll learn how to maintain noise, light and litter
discipline.
Confidence Training
This includes rappel training, Log Walk/Rope Drop, and confidence and obstacle courses.
Confidence Training is designed to challenge the cadets' physical courage, build confidence
in personal abilities, and help them overcome fear. At the rappelling site, each cadet
executes one 17-foot rappel and several 37-foot rappels. Cadets demonstrate confidence
in their ability to overcome fear of heights by executing CST.
Field Leader's Reaction Course (FLRC)
FLRC is designed to develop and evaluate leadership, and to build teamwork early in
the training cycle. Course administration is accomplished using the established cadet
organization and chain of command. Cadet leadership potential is assessed by committee
evaluators. Cadets are provided the opportunity to get early feedback on their leadership
strengths, weaknesses, styles and techniques.
CBRNE
Chemical, Biological Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive Training teaches Cadets how
to administer a nerve agent antidote, how to protect themselves from chemical and
biological contamination using their assigned protective mask, decontaminate themselves
and individual equipment using chemical decontaminating kits and how to react to chemical
or biological hazard/attack. Cadets must go through the CS gas chamber at CST.
U.S. Weapons Familiarization
Familiarizes cadets with the operation and employment of infantry squad weapons and
call for fire grid missions. The Cadets train in the fundamentals of operation and
engaging of targets and emplacement of crew-served weapons such as the M-249, M203,
and 240b.
First Aid
Cadets develop confidence in their ability to react properly to battlefield wounds.
Through hands-on training and evaluation, cadets learn critical first aid skills.
Maneuver Training
In the first block of instruction in maneuver at CST, cadets learn individual battlefield
skills, combat movement techniques and procedures necessary for subsequent tactical
training at the squad level. Maneuver training is a vehicle to teach and evaluate
leadership. It introduces conditions of stress that parallel those found in combat.
Tactical training introduces new skills, provides performance-oriented reinforcement
opportunities and increases the degree of difficulty and sophistication of training
events. Cadets learn the skills necessary to function in a Tactical Training Area
This building-block approach provides the best opportunity for cadets to learn and
for cadre to assess leadership potential.
Tactics
Tactical Leadership is assessed through Field Traning Exercises (FTX) through three phases (Wolverine, Panther, and Grizzly). Developmental feedback is provided to all levels of leadership. Patrolling builds on and reinforces all previous instruction received during the course. The event ends with a 12 mile foot march.