High School Athletes Experience Army Life at Fort Hood Training Event High school students from across Texas participated in a unique training event at Fort Hood, designed to immerse them in the physical and mental challenges of Army basic training. The U.S. Army Basic Training Experience event, held on March 25 at Sadowski Field near III Armored Corps headquarters, brought together over 500 participants who engaged in a series of drills and activities modeled after the rigorous demands of initial entry training. The event, organized by former Army drill sergeants, aimed to provide students with a firsthand understanding of the discipline, structure, and teamwork required in military service. Participants arrived by bus and were immediately directed into formation by drill sergeants, replicating the structured environment of actual basic training. Throughout the day, students rotated through multiple stations, including rope climbing, wall vaults, cargo net obstacles, over-and-under log drills, and the Army Fitness Test’s sprint-drag-carry event. Teams also completed a group exercise involving interlocked arms and synchronized sit-ups, emphasizing the importance of communication and collective effort. Staff Sgt. Dimitri Cooper, a former drill sergeant assigned to the 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command, oversaw the event’s coordination. Cooper, who previously served as a drill sergeant at Fort Sill from 2018 to 2021, noted that the event had grown significantly since its inception. “The biggest improvement from last year is the organization and participation,” he said. “It’s bigger, there are more people, more agencies, and more drill sergeants. You can really see this thing coming to life right in front of you.#fort_hood #sadowski_field #iii_armored_corps #dimitri_cooper #kevin_admiral
More than 500 Killeen ISD student-athletes participated in a military training event at Fort Hood, gaining insight into Army careers and life skills through a simulated basic training experience. The U.S. Army Experience, organized by Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Betts III and former Harker Heights strength and conditioning coach Garson Skelton, has expanded since its 2017 launch to include students from across Texas, including DeSoto ISD this year. The event, held at Fort Hood, aimed to bridge the gap between athletics and real-world preparation by emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Students from Chaparral, Ellison, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Shoemaker high schools arrived at Fort Hood and were immediately immersed in a high-intensity training session led by Army drill sergeants. The program included physical challenges such as obstacle courses, strength exercises, and endurance activities, mirroring the demands of military service. Betts emphasized the event’s goal of exposing students to Army values and lifelong skills, stating, “They get to see what the Army is all about. Hopefully, they will take this as a lifelong learning skill and be productive members of society.” KISD executive director for athletics Latisha Williams highlighted the partnership between the district and Fort Hood, noting that the collaboration provides students with postsecondary opportunities beyond athletics. She explained, “Fort Hood is such a huge part of our community… our job as educators is to open up their eyes to the opportunities they have in front of them.” The event also featured a visit from Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, Commanding General of the III Armored Corps, and an enlistment ceremony, reinforcing the connection between the training and real-world military service.#killeen_isd #fort_hood #us_army_experience #sgt_1st_class_leroy_betts_iii #garson_skelton
