­­­FORT KNOX, Ky. – After sleeping outside in the early morning hours, Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Basic Camp, participated in the field training exercises during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., August 8, 2023.

The FTX lanes simulate real-life tactical scenarios that allow Cadets to improve their skills and gain more practical field experience. The three lanes they enact are squad ambush, squad attack and movement to contact.

Cadet Racquel Wilson from Florida Atlantic University said that the purpose of these exercises is for Cadets to take what they learned in the classroom and physically put it to the test while out in the field.

“Everything that we learned in the classroom, we’re basically putting it into the FTX, just to get hands on experience like a practical and to just get a feel of what it would be like in the real world,” Wilson said. “In the classroom, you can learn, you can write, take notes and everything, but actually being in the field, it’s like a real-life situation. Like, what would you do in that moment?”

Wilson is a rising junior at her university, studying biological sciences with a minor in biomedical sciences. She currently works as a medical assistant in the civilian world but plans on one day incorporating that into the Army medical field.

Although she has always been interested in healthcare and helping others, it wasn’t until after her father had passed away from chronic kidney disease and newly diagnosed diabetes that she was inspired to join the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to work in medical services for the military.

“When I lost my dad in 2021, I felt like I was at a point where I just needed something to hold on to, and I feel like the most challenging thing for me to do was to join the ROTC program at my school because it’s very rigorous,” Wilson said. “I just really needed something to challenge me, and I feel like I’m kind of doing something in remembrance of my dad.”

Originally from Jamaica, Wilson moved to the United States around nine years ago after her mother was offered a job opportunity and wanted to make a better life for herself and her children. Since then, Wilson has been the first in her family to graduate high school, go to college and join the military.

Wilson claims that the biggest adjustment for her since she joined the Army ROTC has been adapting to having more discipline, but it has helped her with her overall motivation.

“I used to dread going to work, and I realized that since I started the ROTC program and since I’ve been here in Fort Knox, even though it’s hard, I was excited to be up and go at 5 a.m., 4 a.m., 3 a.m., and I’ve never had a bad day where I don’t want to do this anymore,” Wilson said. “I don’t look at the schedule, I don’t count the days, you know, I just get up and don’t know what we’re going to do, but I’m excited.”

Cadet Wilson explained that her favorite thing about Basic Camp has been trying new things, being able to meet a lot of different people from various backgrounds and cultures and forming lifelong friendships with these people.

“This is my first time being around this many people, I never did camping, I’ve never slept out in the woods, I’ve never done anything like that before,” Wilson said. “I’ve never met so many people in my life, so the best thing for me is community. I can see that a lot of the people here I’m going to have long, long lasting relationships with them.”

Wilson’s advice for future Cadets is to ignore those that don’t believe in you and persevere in your goals no matter what.

“I would say, just keep pushing,” Wilson said. “Even if they’re doubting you, just go for it.”