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Cadet Summer Training will function as introductory training for soldier tasks and assessment of your leadership capabilities. Throughout the roughly one-month experience, you will be given an opportunity to lead in Garrison and Tactical environments. At the end of CST, you will receive a CER that takes your Land Navigation, Shooting, Bluecard scores as well as peer and cadre evaluations into account. Overall the CER will grade you as O, E, P, C, or U from highest to lowest.
CST 2022 Schedule
CST 2022 Schedule
CST attended by Cadets Brown, Jeffery, Bombace
CST 2021 Schedule
CST 2021 Schedule
CST attended by Cadets Dombrowski, Santowski, and Williams.
Useful Items Not on the Packing List
Useful Items Not on the Packing List
Nomex Flight Gloves
Nomex Flight Gloves
Fort Knox has a different climate than RIT cadets are used to. At camp, gloves will protect your hands from prickers, poison ivy, and other non-temperature related things. These gloves are light weight and personally recommended by Mr. Gary for use through CST FTXs.
Extra Bootlaces
Extra Bootlaces
A lot can happen in the field, especially when you're out for longer than you've ever been before. A snapped bootlace happens more often than you would think and carrying bootlaces adds less than a quarter of a pound to your gear. Any coyote bootlaces should meet AR 670-1 requirements and the CST PX often sells them.
Spare Compass
Spare Compass
This doesn't need to be a military style compass. Anything that can quickly get you back in the correct direction can help. Sometimes the PX at camp also sells a watch band compass that is useful while acting as point man.
Multi-Tool
Multi-Tool
Having a variety of tools available in the field at a lower weight is an all around win. Multitools can help making cover and concealment, shelter, fixing gear, and more.
550 Cord
550 Cord
A small length of 550 cord can be used to make shelter, dummy cords, or any number of other things.
Flight Crew Checklist Book
Flight Crew Checklist Book
Mr. Gary's personal recommendation to hold hip pocket training and quick reference and material. See the "checklist pages.pptx" under the Gary Archives page.
Spare Red Lens
Spare Red Lens
Red lenses always get lost, snagged on trees, left behind, stolen, etc, etc. An extra red lens can go a long way and they don't necessarily have to be headlamps either. The small version of the crookneck flashlight works well and is dim enough to avoid being spotted while still illuminating your workspace.
Staedler Markers
Staedler Markers
Getting the correct markers to draw on laminated surfaces can be a pain. Many appear to work but then smudge off too easily or don't come off at all. The link below goes to markers that are the best middle ground. They can be washed off with rubbing alcohol or the eraser marker (also linked below).
Pelican Tough Box
Pelican Tough Box
This tough box is large enough for a smart phone, wallet, a charger, and maybe some ear buds. They come in useful for storing valuables when in the field or if your camp cadre mandates electronics turn in (turning in everything separately increase your chance of losing one of the loose items). The case linked below has dimensions for a regular sized iPhone 10 - 13.
Alcohol Based Wipes
Alcohol Based Wipes
Play your cards right and these wipes will keep you clean and be able to clean your battle boards. Make sure tools you carry have multiple purposes to minimize the bulk and weight you need to lumber around with. Make sure the wipes are BOTH skin safe and alcohol based.
Cleaning Rag
Cleaning Rag
When it comes time to clean your weapons, you may not be given rags. If you bring a scrap t-shirt to tear you it can save you from having to sacrifice one of your tan undershirts.
M4/5.56 Cleaning Kit
M4/5.56 Cleaning Kit
Again, do not assume you will be given weapon cleaning supplies. It's possible you won't and having a good personal 5.56mm cleaning kit will help a lot. This specific one is the one I (CDT Dombrowski) have used since freshman year.
Power Strip
Power Strip
Outlets in airports and the barracks are rare and often placed awkwardly (sometimes six feet up the wall behind a locker). Having a power strip will allow you to charge electronics where you want to and help your squad mates out.
Directional Padlocks
Directional Padlocks
Instead of the traditional rotary padlocks consider these. They allow you to youse a combination of up, down, left, and right. They will keep your gear secured and allow you quick access in a pinch (which happens more than you think). These were recommended by CDT Casey at CST '21 who was former Honor Guard and Ranger Instructor, he has used them since basic training in 2010.
Disposable Camera
Disposable Camera
Take pictures while you can, you'll want to remember your experiences at camp. Check with your cadre first so you know if you have to hide it or not.
Binoculars
Binoculars
At CST the equipment you are given as a platoon varies from platoon to platoon. Having a personal set of binos is an easy what to make yourself valuable and eases the stress of trying not to be seen on recons.
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