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Advanced Camp
Held annually at Fort Knox, Kentucky, the purpose of CST 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 course starts with individual training and leads to collective training, building from simple to complex tasks. This building-block approach permits the 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.
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This page is NOT currently updated for CST '23. We expect to have it updated soon!
Graduation Requirements
Cadets must attend qualifying training events. If the Cadet cannot make up the training, the Regimental Training Officer (RTO) will review the Cadet’s performance and recommend to the TF Commander whether or not the Cadet should be retested or receive no credit for the course.
MUST PASS
PT Test
Height/Weight
Land Navigation (Day Points: 3/4, Night Points: 1/2)
Map Reading Test (70%)
Qual at BRM 300 Meter Range (minimum of 23/40 = Marksman)
6 Mile Foot March (2 Hours; 35 lb Rucksack)
CBRN
First Aid
Call For Fire
MUST COMPLETE
Cannot miss more than 48 hours of scheduled training
Cadets are assessed in three Leadership positions (FTX)
Complete Rappel / Confidence Course
Buddy Team Live Fire
Hand Grenade
Earn a minimum, rating of Capable on ACER
12 Mile Foot March
Stress Shoot
Night Infiltration Course
Reconnaissance Commando (RECONDO)
The RECONDO badge is awarded to Cadets who display show superior skills at Advanced Camp. They must exceed the standards in APFT, confidence courses, land navigation marksmanship, first aid, CBRN, and the 12-mile foot march. The following are the badge criteria:
*Score 270 or above on the Army Physical Fitness Test, without retest, with a minimum of 90 points per event
Score 90% or higher on the written land navigation test, no retest
Navigate to five out of six points on the day and night land navigation course, first time go
Qualify Sharpshooter or better on pop-up range (first-time GO).
Receive first-time GO on all First Aid, CBRN, and Call for Fire tasks
Complete the 12-mile foot march in 90 minutes or less (35 pound rucksack)
No founded disciplinary action/or failure of an Army Standard
Receive a GO for all "Must Complete" AC graduation requirements
Performance Evaluation
Cadre will observe, assess, and evaluate Cadets based on their performance in three critical areas:
Physical Fitness
Military Skills Competency
Leadership
Cadre will observe and counsel each Cadet based on character, presence, intellect, ability to display leadership qualities, develop, and achieve results at a platoon level, the figure below outlines the leadership, attributes, and competencies.
The Platoon Tactical Officer (PTO) is responsible for the evaluation and rank ordering of Cadets in a platoon (programmed 40 Cadet platoon). Cadet ranking is based upon physical fitness, military skills competence, and demonstrated leadership ability. The Advanced Camp Platoon Ranking Tool is used to determine Cadet ranking based on objective performance data. Cadet ranking determines the overall performance summary rating:
Top 15th Percentile = Outstanding (5 Cadets)
Upper 50th Percentile = Excellent (15 Cadets)
Lower 50th Percentile = Proficient (15 Cadets)
Bottom 15th Percentile = Capable (5 Cadets).
The USACC Form 1059 (ACER) will be used to document Cadet Performance for Advanced Camp.
Training Events Overview
The training events outlined on the following provide an overview of “must pass” or “must complete” events. You must understand the tasks to be trained and standards you will be expected to meet.
Land Navigation
Mission:
Conduct land nav in a scenario based environment
Standards:
Day: 4 hours to navigate 3 out 4 assigned points
Night: 2 hours to navigate to 1 out 2 assigned points
Only a red light is authorized for the night course
Day 1:
Land navigation orientation/equipment draw
Day 2:
Day Land Nav 0700 - 1200 to locate 3/4 points for a GO
Night Land NAv 2100 - 0000 to locate 1/2 points for a GO
Basic Rifle Marksmanship
Mission:
Successfully qualify marksman (23/40) on 200 meters pop-up range
Day 1: Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI)
Weapons maintenance and malfunctions
Round Trajectory
Positions and Aimpoints
Dime Washer and Shadow Boxes
Day 2: EST
Cadets practice qual on the EST
Day 3: Group/Zero
Group and Zero at 25m
Cadet fires 3x iterations of 50 rounds each grouping drills from prone supported
Day 4: 300m Qualification
Cadets fires 1 round standing unsupported
Cadet fires 9 rounds prone unsupported
Cadet fires 10 rouds prone supported
Cadet fires 10 rounds kneeling supported
Cadet fires 10 rounds standing supported
Cadet can fire up to 3x qualification if needed
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)
Mission:
In a training environment, given assigned protective mask, M8 and M9 detector paper, Joint Service Light Integrated Suite Technology (JSLIST) Chemical Protective Ensemble, CBRN protective footwear, and gloves
Standards:
Cadets will learn how to react to a CBRN attack or hazard by: performing operator level Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) on assigned protective mask, without damaging the mask and recording all deficiencies found anor corrected on DA Form 2404 or DA Form 5988E; putting on, cleaning and sealing assigned protective mask within 9 second; donning all CBRN individual Protective Equipment required to reach MOPP Level 4, within 8 minutes, an in sequence; drinking water from a canteen while wearing the M40A1/M50 series protective mask; decontamination self and equipment using decontamination kits
First Aid (1AID)
Mission:
First Aid educates, train and assesses Cadets on Tactical Combat Casualty Care Task IOT develop 2LTs with foundation knowledge in combat care
Training Events:
Cadets arrive on site
Safety brief and site orientation
Cadet hands on training followed by testing
Cadets depart training area
Outcomes:
Think critically and creatively in a stressful environment
Cadets will be confident, competent, and proficient in basic First Aid skills required to sustain life
Demonstrate mental and physical toughness
Understand the proper methods of hasty and deliberate casualty care
Cadet will develop fundamental leader tasks in medical care in direct and indirect fire
Click here for more on Tactical Combat Casualty Care
Buddy Team Live Fire
Action:
Employ buddy team movement/maneuver techniques while engaging targets with the M4A1 carbine (blank and live fire)
Condition:
During daylight hours, on a natural terrain course of approximately 150 meters in length. Given an M4A1 carbine, ammunition, ACH, FLC, IBA, seasonal uniform, and appropriate orders
Standards:
Cadets select temporary fighting positions with cover and concealment; use proper movement techniques as required by terrain and evemy fire; engages enemy personnel to enable continued movement towards the objective while communicating effectively with team
Hand Grenades
Mission:
Throw 2 live hand grenade and complete hand grenade assault course
Mock Bay
Successfully throw 3 out of 5 dummy hand grenades
Live Hand Grenade Range
From a 4 foot barrier, successfully throw 2 live hand grenades
Confidence Training
This includes rappel training, the slide for life, 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 70-foot rappel and several 37-foot rappels. Cadets demonstrate confidence in their ability to overcome fear of heights by executing the confidence/obstacle course, log walk/rope drop and slide for life.
Night Infiltration Course
Mission:
Move under direct fire
Conditions:
During darkness in a field environment, given an M4 Series Carbine with magazines, IBA, FLC, Eye Pro, camelbak with water, ammunition pouches, ACH and black adapter
Standards:
The trainee will negotiate the course using proper movement techniques, overcoming fear, and building up confidence while using noise and light discipline
Training Events:
Cadets receive safety brief and demonstration
Cadets are escorted to the SP (trench) by Committee Cadre
Cadets get online and negotiate course
Cadets move to the rally point at the end of the land for accountability
Buddy Team Live Fire
Basic Rifleman Marksmanship
Action:
Maintain an M4-Series Rifle Carbine.
Condition:
You have just returned from a mission with your loaded M4 series carbine and have been directed to conduct maintenance on your weapon. You have a small-arms case or a maintenance equipment case.
Standard:
Clear, disassemble, clean, inspect, lubricate, assemble, and perform a function check on the M4. Maintain the magazine and ammunition.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
Action:
Protect yourself from Chemical and Biological (CB) contamination using your assigned protective mask.
Conditions:
You are given your assigned protective mask, hood, carrier, a canteen with an M1 canteen cap or water canteen cap, and M8 detector paper. You find yourself in one of the following situations:
You hear or see a CB agent and/or unknown toxic industrial chemical attack/spill
You realize, through other means, that you are under a CB agent and/or toxic industrial chemical attack
You are ordered to mask
You must enter a contaminated area
After having donned your protective mask, you need to drink from their canteen
Standards:
Cadets will be evaluated on their ability to protect themselves from CB agents and; or unknown toxic industrial chemical contamination by donning, clearing, and checking your assigned protective mask within 9 seconds without becoming contaminated. Drink water through your protective mask from their canteen without becoming a casualty.
Communication
Action:
Operate a Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS)
Conditions:
Given a requirement to contact a distant radio station, an operational SINCGARS, antenna, distant station, Signal Operations Instructions (SOI), and required references in an operational environment.
Standards:
Prepare SINCGARS in Single Channel (SC); establish communication with a distant station by successfully conducting a secure communication check according to required frequency
Dry Fire Drills
Action:
Conduct basic rifle marksmanship drills
Conditions:
Given your assigned M4 in a training environment; learn and enforce the basic foundational skills of basic rifle marksmanship; and become proficient prior to moving on to a live fire scenario.
Standards:
Be able to apply the skills learned in the drill fire manual and safety and successfully maintain and fire your assigned M4.
First Aid
Action:
Conduct first aid
Conditions:
Given the proper supplies/equipment and a causality with specified wound/injury during a given scenario while on a training mission.
Standards:
Evaluate casualty; perform proper first aid for designated injury. Perform all steps IAW Instructor's material.
Hand Grenades
Action:
Employ hand grenades
Conditions:
During daylight, given fragmentation grenades (M67) with time-delay fuses, andfragmentation grenades with detonating fuses.
Standards:
Select the appropriate throwing position, grip the hand grenade, prepare the grenade, and throw the hand grenade so it is within the effective range of the target.
Land Navigation
Action:
Conduct Land Navigation in a scenario based environment.
Conditions:
In a field environment, given a certified Land Navigation course, map, compass, and graphic control measures, complete the course in the allotted time.
Standards:
The Cadet, acting as a PL must Plan, prepare, and execute Land Navigation operations in a scenario based environment. Receive a GO by navigating from one point to another and meeting all requirements for the Land Navigation.
Machine Guns
Action:
Maintain an M249 or M240B.
Conditions:
You have just returned from a mission with your loaded M249 or M240B and have been directed to conduct maintenance on your weapon. You have a small-arms case or a maintenance equipment case.
Standards:
Clear, disassemble, clean, inspect, lubricate, assemble, and perform a function check on the M249 or M240B.
Night Infiltration Course
Action:
Conduct individual movement techniques.
Conditions:
In a training environment; learn the fundamentals of individual movement techniques on a live fire range.
Standards:
Be able to successfully to overcome stress and complete movement under fire.
Range Card
Action:
Prepare a range card for your position.
Conditions:
During daylight, in a defensive fighting position, given an assigned primary sector of fire with recognizable targets; a secondary sector of fire with recognizable targets; blank standard range cards DA Form 5517-R; a pencil; a lensatic compass; and a map of your assigned sector of fire.
Standards:
Prepare a range card for your position. Sketch in the terrain in your assigned sector of fire. Located and sketched in magnetic north. Using the appropriate symbol. Sketched in sector limits, the gun symbol, and dead space. In the DATA section wrote in the weapon, the unit, and other required data. Sketched in terrain features that offer likely targets and numbered them in priority.
Order and Formations of Movement
Action:
Conduct individual, team, squad level movements.
Conditions:
In a training environment, given your assigned weapon and a team or squad sized element; maneuver through different types of terrain; react to contact in different situations; engage the enemy; and learn the fundamentals of different types of maneuver formations.
Standards:
Be able to successfully maneuver through different types of terrain and to react to enemy fire while maintaining the correct formation to overcome the objective.
Stress Shoot
Action:
Conduct individual Basic Rifle Marksmanship while stressed.
Conditions:
In a training environment, given your assigned weapon; learn the fundamentals of marksmanship while stressed
Standards:
Be able to successfully to overcome the stress and complete objective engaging and hitting targets.
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