FORT KNOX, Ky. – Ruck marches, rifle qualifications and rappelling all challenge future officers at Cadet Summer Training. Each event gives different Cadets the opportunity to highlight their strengths. 

Cadet Connor Neill, 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, from Princeton University, finished first in his company at the Six Mile Battle March and Shoot training event. His competitive nature fueled his desire to excel at this event. 

At his home university, Neill was on track to beat the 1:55 record set for a 12-mile ruck. Toward the end, he twisted his knee, slowing his pace and falling short of breaking the record. Carrying a sense of missed opportunity, Neill led the charge for Charlie Company on Fort Knox, July 24, 2024. 

For Neill to stay at the front of the pack, that meant forging ahead of members in his platoon. While many rely on battle buddies for morale support during tough training events, he had to rely solely on his mental resilience.

“It’s about the mental toughness and battle in your mind,” Neill said.  “I think just the mental strength of being competitive really helps me a lot. I love the competitive aspect of the army.”

Despite Neill’s personal successes during Battle March and Shoot, he recognizes his weak areas and leans on the members of his platoon for guidance. 

With Cadets from all over the country gathering to train together, each individual brings a unique skill set and the opportunity to cultivate peer-to-peer leadership. However, Neill stresses that respect among Cadets is earned, not given. 

With land navigation assessments approaching for 10th Regiment, Neill leaned on the knowledge from one of the members of his squad.

Cadet Chuck Frattalone, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, recently completed the Sapper Leader Course before arriving at CST. Sapper Leader Course is 28 days of training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where Soldiers gain skills in combat military engineering. 

Frattalone describes the experience of Sapper schooling as challenging, but as a positive opportunity to grow as a Soldier. It took Frattalone three attempts to pass the challenging land navigation course on Fort Leonard Wood, but now brings that expertise to Fort Knox. 

“He had a lot of tips and tricks,” Neill said. “If you want to beat the best, you have to learn from the best.” 

Both Frattalone and Neill have their individual ways of gaining the respect of the members of their platoon. Frattalone possesses strong patrolling skills that will be utilized during the field training exercise. Along with tactical skills, Frattalone encourages members of his platoon with snacks, as he was armed with a bag of jelly beans for his fellow Cadets after completing the stress shooting test. 

“Motivating people with jelly beans to ruck faster, that helps people get Recondo.” Frattalone said. 

Neill values his strong mental fortitude and connection with his faith, two qualities he brings to the table at CST. He hopes to help fellow Cadets who are struggling to persevere through difficult times. Each Cadet demonstrates their strengths differently with the hopes of cultivating an environment of respect and cohesion. 

“If people can trust you, that goes a long, long way.” Frattalone said.