Army ROTC Cadet Dies During Training At Fort Knox

An Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadet, Neil Edara, tragically died during a summer training camp at Fort Knox in Kentucky, on Thursday (July 24). Edara, 22, from Ridgewood, New Jersey, was participating in the Cadet Summer Training as part of the 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, when he became unresponsive during Land Navigation Training.

According to the U.S. Army Cadet Command, Edara received immediate medical attention and was airlifted to the University of Louisville. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by medical professionals. The cause of his death is currently under investigation.

Lt. Col. Timothy Sorensen, a professor of military science at Rutgers University, where Edara joined ROTC in September 2021, described him as "one of the most dedicated and promising young leaders I’ve had the privilege to know." Sorensen added, "His calm collected demeanor and unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on everyone around him."

The U.S. Army Cadet Command emphasized that the safety of cadets remains a top priority and that cadets have access to spiritual counseling and support as needed. Fort Knox is known for its varied training terrain, including woods, fields, and gravel roads, which are used for leadership and tactical readiness exercises.