The U.S. Army describes ROTC Advanced Camp as 31 days of summer training to “develop a Cadet’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and to forge them into tough, adaptable leaders who can thrive in ambiguous and complex environments.”
CNU Cadet Joshua Sentner ‘27 did all of that and did it well. He emerged as one of the top 1% of all cadets who completed the rigorous training. He finished 49th of the 5,778 participants in what is a demanding test of leadership ability, physical readiness, individual soldier tasks, and tactical competency.
Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky, includes:
- Marching by foot for 12 miles
- Rappelling down a 70-foot tower and obstacle course
- Experiencing the effects of live tear gas
- Marksmanship qualification
- Combat lifesaving skills
- Day and night land navigation
- Twelve continuous days of field training exercises and assessments
The camp is much more than a physical test. The cadets, usually in the summer before their senior year of college, master how to navigate unfamiliar terrain at night, how to administer battlefield first aid, and how to prepare and lead squads under simulated combat conditions.
It isn’t your typical summer vacation. “Advanced Camp was a challenging but rewarding experience that pushed me both physically and mentally in ways I had not experienced before,” Sentner said. “The hardest part was staying focused and performing consistently while dealing with limited sleep, Kentucky heat, and the pressure of being evaluated in unfamiliar situations.”
While Sentner finished with the highest score among members of the Revolutionary Guard Battalion (RGB) composed of CNU and William & Mary students, the unit excelled in many categories.
Ten CNU cadets successfully completed the advanced training. The scores of RGB cadets exceeded the national average and several earned individual honors. Sentner earned the Recondo Badge and Cadet Dylan Vaughan ‘27 finished in the top 5% nationally. Additionally, three CNU cadets completed Basic Camp for students earlier in their college careers and Captains completed programs in air assault, judge advocacy, and leadership training.
“We have much to be proud of,” said Military Science professor Patrick Billmann, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and head of the ROTC program. “The accomplishments of our cadets this summer reflect their hard work and commitment to excellence, as well as the high standards of the Revolutionary Guard Battalion.”
Sentner, Vaughan, and the other cadets are now back on the Great Lawn, completing their classwork and their training. It is challenging in its own way but little can compare with Advanced Camp.
“My biggest takeaway from camp was the improvement in my ability to adapt, lead under pressure, and confidently perform even when I was tired or uncomfortable,” Sentner said. “Overall, it gave me a much better understanding of the kind of leader I want to be as I prepare to commission and help prepare the next classes for their time at Camp.”