FORT KNOX-KENTUCKY – The Kentucky morning sun beats down on Cadet Tyler Izzo (Grand Canyon Univeristy) and his fellow 7th Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets at CST as they face an elaborate challenge: the Day Land Navigation course. Armed with only a map, compass and protractor, these future officers must navigate a maze of unfamiliar terrain, pushing their skills and building the confidence needed to lead.

For Izzo, a prior service member with scout experience, the course displays itself as a familiar task.”We understand and trust our equipment and abilities to plot a point on the map and go from point A to B with stealth and deliberate motions,” he said.

Izzo’s expertise goes beyond his individual experience; he communicates his strengths to help his peers. Sharing his knowledge fosters a spirit of teamwork that goes beyond Izzo’s individual accomplishments. “I tell them to trust their gut,” Izzo said. “There’s a lot to be learned from the trails and landmarks. Don’t freak out. Don’t be frustrated. It’s all okay; we all get lost at some point.”

The Day Land Navigation course isn’t just about maps and compasses. It’s about replicating the complexities of real-world combat. Terrain models provide a scaled-down view of the training area, helping cadets familiarize themselves before venturing out. “The terrain model is so important,” Izzo said, “It shows you the layout of what you’re going to see out there.”

Additionally, checkpoints staffed by Non-Commissioned Officers and Cadre help Cadets and offer loose guidance to ensure they reach their goals. “They help us become more confident while traversing the course,” Izzo said.

Across the training area, Cadet Braxton Brown completes the Land Navigation Course in less than half of his allotted four-hour time limit. “I knew I was capable of doing this because of my teammates who have helped train me up,” he said.

For Brown, the course isn’t just about finding checkpoints. It’s a test of self-reliance. “While completing the course individually, I had to keep reminding myself that this is building my confidence,” he said, “so then that way I can go back and help support other people.”

Brown emphasizes the importance of staying calm under pressure, “When I get lost, I take a moment, re-gather my thoughts, and plan a course of action,” he said. “It’s all about staying calm and collected.”

Brown concluded with advice for future Cadets who will face similar challenges: “Take it step by step; don’t rush things. You’ll be able to do just fine.”

His words underline a core principle of CST: to create well-rounded leaders who can navigate both physical terrain and the complexities of leadership under pressure.