Fort Knox, Ky. – Running off three hours asleep, Cadets assigned to 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, started bright and early for their third day of the ‘Panther’ field training exercise on June 29, 2025.

‘Panther’ is the second out of three phases’ Cadets complete during their FTX, which is a simulated combat experience to test Cadets capabilities and leadership. Combining all their skills learned during Cadet Summer Training, this exercise is the last challenge Cadets will face before graduation.

Cadet Sabian Lopez, Florida International University, a squad leader during the exercise, doesn’t think of leadership as just giving commands. Lopez emphasized the importance of checking on the individual as well as the team, his approach is based in faith.

“At the end of the day if we’re not motivated, it’s not going to go well,” said Lopez. “In terms of morale, I’ve been holding Bible studies for everyone.”

Lopez has organized Bible studies outside the barracks, his last involving around 20 Cadets before they entered the field. He admits the FTX has made things tough, from a lack of time to increased stress. But according to Lopez, praying with his fellow Cadets has kept them connected and motivated.

“If someone’s ever feeling down, I’ll call out ‘hey, somebody wants to pray, we’re praying’,” said Lopez. “You can see one or two people always like, you know what, I really need it right now, and then they join.”

Lopez always knew he wanted to serve. Now a recent follower of the Christian faith, he believes he can apply serving others spiritually to his role in the Army.

He hopes to become a chaplain, providing the sense of comfort and hope he feels from God, to Soldiers heading into battle. He applies this goal for his future to aid his current teammates.

“Even if I’m not in any type of leadership, looking out for my team is a priority of mine, because at the end of the day we’re all family,” said Lopez. “I want to provide that relief and help prepare them spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally.”

Unlike Lopez, not all Cadets at CST enter college with the intention of joining the ROTC program. Cadet Amora Isonguyo, University of San Francisco, didn’t make the decision to join until her junior year of college.

Here at CST Isonguyo attends the religious services provided by camp and participates in prayers, organized by Lopez, whenever possible in the field. Her advice to future Cadets – have faith.

“You have to believe in something bigger than yourself. Whatever God that is for you, for me that’s Jesus Christ, you have to have faith,” said Isonguyo. “We break our promises to ourselves. God is good no matter what for me, when you put your faith in something that doesn’t change that helps a lot.”

Isonguyo acknowledged the impact prayer has had on her platoon, regardless of other Cadets beliefs.

“Even people who aren’t Christian huddle up when (Lopez) asks who wants to pray, everyone just wants some comfort in the chaos of it all,” she added.

Isonguyo was born in Maryland but lived in Nigeria until college. She joined ROTC looking for something new to learn and a way to gain strength. Only visiting home two times a year, Isonguyo credited the community she’s found in the Army for her performance as a Soldier.

“I always say I don’t know if I would have survived this if I didn’t have my people telling me to keep trying,” said Isonguyo. “You need people for this kind of thing, it’s not easy to do on your own.”

CST teaches Cadets a lot, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Isonguyo reflected on her teammates’ ability to help her push through personal doubts when she received a bad score.

“They’ve helped me a lot in terms of seeing myself as a leader even when sometimes I don’t fully believe that I am,” said Isonguyo. “When I first joined, I was like ‘okay, is this really for me?’ but the more you do it the more you realize it’ll all be worth it in the end.”

From physical obstacles like the confidence course to the mental challenges of missing home, Isonguyo has found comfort through God, her teammates and Cadre. The presence of Cadre beside her, serving as a constant reminder that what she’s tasked is possible.

“Looking at my Cadre, these are all people who walked on the same ground, this is just my turn now,” said Isonguyo. “I’ll come out of it and there’s not going to be one part of this that I’ll regret.”

Although starting her Army career in military intelligence, Isonguyo now recognizes the importance of the chaplain core.

“Through knowing Christ genuinely, you put others before yourself,” said Isonguyo. “So right now, chaplain is my top branch, it makes me happy and it makes me feel like I’m doing good work.”