Pictured above clockwise: Madeline Farrington at Basic Camp in Fort Knox, KY; Tucker Love at Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, KY, with Tristan Pyette (May 2026 Carroll ROTC grad); Gus Nunez at Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, KY; Davis Greenwood, Allie Eaves and Bear Smith at Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, KY; and, Jerny Crawford at Tripler Army Medical Center for Nurse Summer Training Program.
This summer, 14 Carroll College ROTC Cadets participated in Army summer training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, demonstrating the dedication, preparation, and leadership that continue to distinguish Carroll College as a premier ROTC program in Montana.
Thirteen of the 14 Cadets completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, a demanding month-long training event designed to evaluate Cadets on their ability to lead and perform in challenging Army environments. Carroll College Cadets achieved an impressive average number of accessions points, scoring several points higher than the national average among ROTC programs.
Accessions points are based on a combination of evaluations, including the Army Fitness Test, Land Navigation, Marksmanship, Warrior Skills, and Field Training Exercise performance. Throughout the academic year, Carroll Cadets dedicated hundreds of hours to preparing for Advanced Camp. Their hard work was evident in their performance and demonstrated not only their capabilities as Cadets, but also their potential to become effective officers in the United States Army.
Among those attending summer training was Madeline Farrington, who joined the Carroll College ROTC program as a sophomore last year. Farrington traveled to Fort Knox to complete Basic Camp, where she learned fundamental Army skills and adapted to an entirely new training environment. She returns to Carroll College this fall to begin her junior year, a pivotal year in the ROTC program that brings increased responsibility and leadership challenges. Her continued commitment to ROTC and her goal of becoming an officer in the United States Army exemplify the dedication of Carroll College Cadets.
Following their month of training in Kentucky, three Carroll College Cadets continued their professional development through specialized summer training opportunities.
Gus Nunez traveled to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he shadowed a second lieutenant with the 11th Airborne Division. Tucker Love traveled to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where he also gained firsthand experience alongside a second lieutenant in the 11th Airborne Division. Jerny Crawford participated in the Nurse Summer Training Program at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.
These opportunities provided Cadets with firsthand exposure to the Army and their future career fields in both continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) environments. Beyond the immediate value of the training, these experiences allow Cadets to return to Carroll College with greater knowledge and perspective, enabling them to mentor younger Cadets and strengthen the ROTC program as a whole.
The accomplishments of Carroll College's Cadets this summer reflect the preparation, discipline, and commitment developed through the ROTC program. Their performance at Advanced Camp and subsequent training opportunities highlight the quality of leaders being developed at Carroll College and their readiness to serve as future officers in the United States Army.
Submitted by CPT Wyatt Smith, Assistant Professor of Military Science for Carroll College ROTC
