Last Updated: June 13th, 2024By Tags: , , ,

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Although the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets had to scale down a 64-foot rappel tower solo, no Cadet felt truly alone during rappel tower training in Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Whether it be through securing somebody’s rope harness or cheering loudly, the 3rd Regiment Cadets found various ways to support one another throughout the entirety of training.

3rd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets complete rappel tower training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. During rappel tower training, every Cadet must rappel down a 64-foot tower. | Photo by Kate Koennecke, Ohio State University, CST Public Affairs Office

 

Master Sgt. Joshua Geery from the University of Kansas has enjoyed watching the Cadets build bonds with one another during Cadet Summer Training. Geery works as a member of the platoon training officer team, and one of his main responsibilities is to provide the Cadets with helpful feedback. After witnessing the 3rd Regiment Cadets complete rappel tower training, Geery noted the 3rd Regiment’s team effort.

“One of the greatest things that we get see here is not us motivating them, but them building the team and motivating each other,” said Geery. “You will never build lifelong friends and cohesive teams anywhere else the way you do in the Army.”

Cadet Luci Gallegos from James Madison University and Cadet Hayden Back from Citadel Military College of South Carolina are living proof of the lifelong friendships that form during CST. Gallegos and Back are in the same platoon and said they have been encouraging one another since the day they arrived.

Cadet Hayden Back from Citadel Military College of South Carolina on belay duty during rappel tower training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Cadet Back said he has become close with the other Cadets in his platoon during Cadet Summer Training. | Photo by Kate Koennecke, Ohio State University, CST Public Affairs Office

Back noted, “We always try to motivate and support one another, especially out here. I knew Luci was kind of scared of heights, and I’m a little afraid myself, but working together makes it a whole lot easier to do as a team.”

Back explained why building relationships is so important during Advanced Camp.

“Basically, everything you do here you’re going to have to do as a team. Out in the field, we combine to make each other look good. Out in the field when somebody has a leadership role, we support them, we help them grow, and we use what we know to help benefit them.”

 

Cadet Luci Gallegos from James Madison University finishes up her training at the rappel tower at Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Gallegos said the support of her fellow 3rd Regiment Cadets is why she was able to get over her fear of heights. | Photo by Kate Koennecke, Ohio State University, CST Public Affairs Office

Gallegos said friends like Back helped her put aside her fear of heights and complete her training.

“Back was there for me the entire time. He was like, ‘I got you, don’t worry, you’re going to be okay,’ since day one,” said Gallegos.

When it comes to daunting tasks like rappelling down a 64-foot rappel tower, the amount of encouragement Cadets give one another can be the difference in whether they can make it through CST.

 “Without people cheering me on or motivating me, I feel like I definitely would have not been able to do this today,” said Gallegos.

About the Author: Kate Koennecke
Kate Koennecke
Kate Koennecke is a rising junior at The Ohio State University double-majoring in Political Science and Strategic Communications. This summer, Koennecke will be working as a Public Affairs Intern, covering events throughout Cadet Summer Training this summer as a Photojournalist. Koennecke has had many experiences working in the public sphere, including interning for the Ohio Statehouse for the Ohio Democratic Caucus in the Senate in the fall of 2022. Once this summer comes to an end, Koennecke hopes to take back her knowledge of Public Affairs back to the Buckeye state with her.