FORT KNOX, Ky, – Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp, weave through the muddy wood line, humidity and high temperatures, as they conduct a simulated ambush mission. On their first day of the Panther Phase of their Field Training Exercises, these missions are structured to allow Cadets to apply their leadership and tactical skills learned through Cadet Summer Training while still being given feedback and guidance from their Cadre.

To reflect actual field combat scenarios, Cadets are expected to carry on these missions regardless of rain or shine. For these Cadets, this means enduring the muddy terrain caused by previous days constant rainstorms and sweaty exhaustion from this day’s heat. Within these difficult conditions, Cadets must find what motivates them to push forward.

For Cadet Lekia Singletary, Georgia Southern University, that motivation comes from focusing on the bigger picture of this training.

“When my morale is low, I just think about that smiling face I’m gonna have once I’m walking across the stage as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army,” Singletary said. “That’s enough motivation for me to keep going every single day. So that’s just the first thing that I’m going to wake up thinking about and the last thing I’m going to be thinking about when I go to sleep.”

Cadet Patrick McCullen, East Carolina University, sees morale and motivation as something typically built collectively from all the individuals within the group. That is where the importance of a leader who puts his people first can truly shine. 

McCullen points to two of his fellow Cadets that he found to embody those ideals, using them as points of inspiration in the field. 

“We have Cadet Kelly, who as the Army would say is very “Hooah Hooah”. He’s always pumped up no matter how bad the situation is,” Mcullen said. “There’s also Cadet Young who is a very good speaker. He takes control of situations and has given great speeches. There’s plenty of others who motivate, not just with speech but their attitude and how much effort they give. But I would say Young and Kelly are the two biggest inspirations.”

The advice Mcullen gives to any future Cadet going through Cadet Summer Training is to look inward and ask themselves how they will be that person who guides others to progress.

“Look at the teachers that have been in your life, the ones that put you on the right path. Look at the coaches that have encouraged you to push yourself past your limits. Look at maybe your grandmother or your aunt, or your older sister that took care of you and everything they sacrificed. Look at everything the world has given you and ask yourself what are you going to give back? 

Ready to move onto the next mission of the day, Singletary looks back on one of these personal connections that will continue to push her through every step of Cadet Summer Training.

“I just want to give a big shout out to my mom, I love her to death. She’s definitely the reason that I am here doing this as well. She keeps me grounded all the time. So I love you, Mom. I can’t wait for you to see me walk across that stage in about a week or so.”