FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets with 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, spend the morning enhancing their navigation skills at Fort Knox, Kentucky, June 17, 2024.
“Land navigation is the process of taking a map and being able to orient yourself to that map… learning how to plot coordinate points and use land navigation skills such as pace count and shooting an azimuth with a compass so you can go out and find those points,” said Cadet Adyssa Roh, University of Florida.
This skill is a core military discipline that all positions and ranks must understand. Land navigation skills extend beyond going from point A to point B. It is essential for Soldiers, especially future leaders, to be able to communicate their own coordinates and understand distances, both of which are skills that play a major role in the success of a mission.
“I think it demonstrates resilience especially because we are not all going to be infantry officers,” said Roh. “Being able to learn a difficult skill like this that a majority of civilians don’t practice, shows that you can be a leader and successful officer.”
Roh intends to become the first Platoon Leader in her family. As a PL, she hopes to lead her future Soldiers by example through organizing, employing, and directing them.
When asked what drew her into joining the U.S. Army, Roh said, “Getting out there and doing something new, being able to serve my country and doing something that a majority of the people in the U.S. don’t often see.”
While attending the University of Florida, Roh decided to join ROTC. It didn’t take long before she gained the feeling of community that came with joining the Army and the overall comradery and morale.
Growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Roh and her cousin, Cora, dreamt of joining the United States Military. This summer, Cora is supporting Adyssa from Wisconsin, having attended Summer Training last summer.
“We are always very competitive, so I’ve been keeping in touch,” said Roh. “It’s super cool and definitely something we connect on.”
Roh looks forward to continuing her training this summer at CST, enhancing not only her military skills but her leadership, both of which will help Roh better serve her country and hopefully, beat her cousins scores.
About the Author: Sophia Hughes
