FORT KNOX, Ky. – Shouts of encouragement ring out from the ground as Cadets from 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, weave through ropes and barriers high in the sky at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex, July 27, 2024. Consisting of three structures, the rock wall, the Alpine Towers, and the Rudder’s Rope Course, the FHCC is intended to put the physical and mental endurance of Cadets to the test.

From the highest platform of the Alpine Tower, Cadet Nzubechi Obi, University of Michigan, gets belayed back down to the ground, having conquered his first challenge, ready to move onto the next obstacle in the Rudder’s Rope course.

Obi immigrated to America from Nigeria in 2018 to find independence and take charge of his path in life, finding the Army to be his opportunity to do so.

“In Nigeria, We have this culture where your parents can channel your life from birth to when you are an adult,” Obi recalled. “But there was a point in my life where I had to take a decision for myself. I took that decision to join the ROTC, because I’m the kind of person that likes to lead. Once I took that decision, I never looked back, and decided to come to improve myself, discipline myself, and also to be able to meet new people, new family.”

The challenges of the Forest Hills Climbing complex are just one of the many Obi has had to overcome during his time at Basic Camp. Though sometimes finding himself overwhelmed with doubt in the midst of climbing, the excitement of having his cadre and Cadets cheer him along helped motivate him to move forward happily. Obi believes that facing these challenges head on is how to best carry yourself to success through Basic Camp and in life.

“I would say that I win my battle first in the mind, then I use that mindset to do whatever obstacle that I have in front of me,” Obi explained. “Most of the obstacles we are going to face in life, we’re supposed to face them with confidence and combat it in a way whereby we can win anything in the world. Having that same mindset, I see myself conquering every obstacle I come across.”

While Cadets traverse the various obstacles of the FHCC, battle buddies are assigned to belay and guide each other, requiring vast amounts of trust. High anxieties can rise for Cadets over the matter of safety so it is imperative to develop that sense of trust in each other in order to overcome the daunting task. 

“It takes time for us to build that trust,” said Obi. “We have to come to know each other, know our strength and our weakness, and know what this person can do and what this person cannot do, and we are able to bond and start trusting each other. If they are up there, their life depends on me. The same way they trust me is how I will trust them.”

Reflecting on the day, Obi sees the Forest Hills Training Complex as another step in his development as a leader and in his bond with his fellow Cadets that will hopefully impact him for a lifetime.

“In this life we don’t know who we will meet on our way coming, if it’s a person who is going to be there on our way out,” Obi said. “It’s been a very fun journey so far.”