Clemson Army ROTC distinguished itself among hundreds of programs and thousands of future Army leaders, earning the nation’s top ranking among large ROTC programs and placing second overall among 227 ROTC programs nationwide at Cadet Summer Training.
Hosted by the U.S. Army Cadet Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Cadet Summer Training brings together approximately 5,700 rising senior cadets across the nation for over 30 days of physically and mentally demanding training.
Cadet Summer Training is the final major training experience for Army ROTC cadets before commissioning. Their performance contributes to the merit-based rankings that influence their branch assignments, including infantry, armor, engineering, military intelligence, logistics and other branches across all three components of the Army.
Tested in training
During summer training, cadets are evaluated in individual and collective events including the Army Fitness Test, marksmanship, land navigation, grenade assault course and small-unit maneuvers during Field Training Exercises.
The individual training events focus on a cadet’s ability, endurance, qualifications and technical skills. Collective training events maximize experiences and lessons while creating opportunities for cadets to succeed as a team.
These challenges culminate with the 12-mile tactical road march, during which cadets march across varied terrain while carrying 45 pounds of equipment in less than four hours.
Clemson Army ROTC’s performance in these training events led to multiple collective and individual awards.
Cadet Tyler C. Ruiz, Clemson University, receives the Military Officers Association of America Award at the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp graduation ceremony in Fort Knox, KY | Photo by Demar Robinson, Ball State University, CST Public Affairs Office 
Cadet Henry Keating, Clemson University, receives the Truman Citizen-Soldier award at the 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp during 2026 Cadet Summer Training in Fort Knox, KY. 
Cadet Elizabeth Lawrence, receives the Knox Regional Development Alliance’s High AFT Performance Award at the 7th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduation ceremony, in Fort Knox, KY. The award is presented to the top male and female cadets who achieve the highest score on the Army Fitness Test. 
Cadet Noah Callahan, receives the Knox Regional Development Alliance’s High AFT Performance Award at the 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp graduation ceremony in Fort Knox, KY. The award is presented to the top male and female cadets who achieve the highest score on the Army Fitness Test. | Photo by Alyse Haddad, Columbia College Chicago, CST Public Affairs Office
Clemson Army ROTC Cadet Summer Training Awards
- First amongst large Army ROTC programs nationally
- Second overall amongst all Army ROTC programs nationally
- Highest collective Army Fitness Test average in the nation
- Two cadets ranked among the top 10 nationally: Cadet Tyler Ruiz, No. 4, and Cadet Braden Wiley, No. 6, among 5,778 cadets
Individual Cadet Summer Training Awards
- Cadet Noah Callahan: Perfect 500 score on the Army Fitness Test
- Cadet Jack Baylouny: Perfect 500 score on the Army Fitness Test
- Cadet Zach Hastings: Perfect 500 score on the Army Fitness Test
- Cadet Henry Keating: Reconnaissance and Commando Badge
- Cadet Elizabeth Lawrence: Perfect 500 score on the Army Fitness Test
- Cadet Tyler Ruiz: Reconnaissance and Commando Badge
- Cadet Braden Wiley: Reconnaissance and Commando Badge
Significance of individual awards
The Reconnaissance Commando Badge, or RECONDO, is a skills award given to cadets who score nearly perfect in every graded metric during Cadet Summer Training events. Less than 2% of cadets nationally earn the RECONDO honor. Clemson Army ROTC is proud to celebrate the three cadets who achieved this distinction.
A perfect 500 score on the Army Fitness Test is exceptionally rare and is reserved for elite cadets who perform at the highest physical level. This five-event test challenges strength, power, stability, agility and endurance. Clemson Army ROTC had four cadets, three male and one female, achieve this honor.
Ready to lead to new heights
Beyond the rankings and awards, Clemson’s cadets embraced the spirit of the Clemson Family. During their time at Fort Knox, they carried the Clemson Army ROTC flag to the highest terrain they could find, a fitting symbol of the heights they reached through teamwork, perseverance and leadership.
“Our Clemson Army ROTC performance at Cadet Summer Training reflects the dedication, discipline and leadership of our cadets, as well as the commitment of our military leadership instructors,” said Lieutenant Colonel Vance, chair of the military leadership department.
Clemson University and the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business is proud of the Class of 2027 Army ROTC cadets and the instructors who helped prepare them for this achievement. Their success is a testament to the strength of Clemson Army ROTC and the University’s long-standing commitment to developing distinguished leaders for service to the nation.
