Cadet Summer Training begins in one week.

In preparation for it, Col. Sean Barnes and Command Sgt. Maj. Randy Wright, commandant and command sergeant major respectfully of Cadet Summer Training, shared some of their expectations and planned changes to summer training.

From the first week of June to the middle of August, more than 3,200 Basic Camp cadets, 6,400 Advanced Camp cadets, 5,200 support staff, and an estimated 5,000 family members will make their way to and from Fort Knox.

Barnes and Wright said Advanced Camp cadets can expect a few minor changes to the training schedule when they arrive.

"This year, we changed the order of training events so that all of the must-pass events come before the field exercises," said Barnes.

This change allows cadets to gauge how they are performing by Training Day 12, according to Barnes. The change also allows Cadets to focus more on field training and performance.

Barnes and Wright said they also expect this year will bring a class of highly prepared cadets.

"Cadets from last year went back to their schools and helped build and change the classroom curriculum to better fit what they had experienced here at camp," said Barnes. Wright added that because of the amplification of curriculum, they are expecting that cadets will be better equipped and will try even harder than in previous years.

Overall, Advanced Camp cadets should come away with a sense of accomplishment and be able to make choices under pressure, Barnes and Wright said, as this is one of their largest training events before they pin on second lieutenant rank.

Besides Cadet Summer Training, U.S. Army Cadet Command faculty and staff will also offer many other summer training programs in which cadets may participate. One such program that 1,000 cadets will participate in is the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program. It allows Cadets to spend one month in one of 26 participating countries and train alongside their military.

Cadet Command will also be sending 951 cadets to Cadet Advanced Individual Training, which includes specialty courses at such locations as air assault, airborne and Sapper schools. As well, about 1,500 cadets will attend Cadet Troop Leading Training, where they will lead alongside a second lieutenant and gain valuable experience for their futures. "We allow cadets the full opportunity that this camp and the Army provides to create a solid foundation in leadership," said Barnes. "Whatever a cadet wants to do, we are here to help them grow and take on those challenges."