FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets with Alpha Company, 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, attempt the obstacles of the High Ropes Course at Forest Hills Climbing Complex, July 29, 2024. Cadets have three different structures that they climb while actively aiding and supporting their peers. Overcoming fear is a primary focus of this training exercise, trying to instill confidence and perseverance in future Army Officers. 

“When they said who’s scared of heights, a lot of people raised their hand while we were watching the demonstration,” said Cadet Austin Chapman, University of Central Florida. “It’s moving, people were kind of getting nervous, you could tell a lot of people were definitely scared to go up there.”

Chapman has made his way to Basic Camp this summer to follow his family’s lineage, being one of many service members. His brother is currently a Captain in the National Guard and wants to follow in his footsteps. 

Out of high school, Chapman had no plan and has tried various paths, but is now finishing his education with a nursing degree. Chapman has aspirations on working at a military hospital and being able to put his studies to use. 

Being a nurse requires an individual to be sharp and prepared, ready for any scenario. The High Ropes Course puts Cadets in uncomfortable situations and pushes them to keep moving to accomplish their goal. 

“I know I was sweating. I was nervous. My heart was racing,” Chapman said. “Being able to be calm under pressure, I feel like that will translate directly into nursing.”

Another Cadet taking his experience from the course and implementing it into his future job is Cadet Austin Grant, Purdue University. He started college as Aquatic Studies Major until he met with an Army recruiter at his local Walmart, leading him to camp this summer. 

His goals have altered, as with the use of the Army he can branch as an engineer and work simultaneously with his aquatics major. Grant wants to be able to make bridges and dams more environmentally stable. 

 “A lot of hydrological dams, and stuff similar to that, block a lot of the passageways for fish and other aquatic invertebrates,” Grant said. “So being able to have an engineer with a background in biology, I think would definitely help a team.”

Grant battled his way through the course and was able to learn some things about himself he will take moving forward. 

“It’s more about confidence,” Grant said. “If you can do something ridiculously hard now, you can do something a little less challenging in the future and it’s not going to seem as hard.”

The Forest Hills Climbing Complex continues to build and motivate the Cadets as they work their way through the rest of Basic Camp. Cadets will take what they’ve learned and keep on growing into Army leaders.