Fort Knox, Ky. – After spending four days in the field, Cadets assigned to Delta Company, 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, have one more challenge before some rest – the confidence chamber.

This training exercise teaches quick-response actions in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat scenario. To pass this event, Cadets are exposed to tear gas and must remove their masks for about 15 seconds before exiting the chamber.

For Cadet Michael Kelly, Pennsylvania College of Technology, this was terrifying.

“If I had to go into that room by myself, I probably wouldn’t even step a foot in,” said Kelly.

According to him, if it weren’t for his teammates he wouldn’t have passed.

“As soon as you had your hand on that person’s shoulder you’re like alright we’re doing this together,” said Kelly. “Everybody else is going through it, why can’t I?”

Initially inspired to join the Army by his grandparents, both Army veterans, Kelly faced pushback from his parents. To ease their concerns there was a compromise. Now a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet, Kelly serves in the Army National Guard and ROTC.

“By choosing the Guard, I have more choices in my deployments,” said Kelly. “I’m still serving in the capacity that I want to and my parents are proud of me.”

Kelly has had the passion to serve his country since high school but was too nervous to approach recruiters. He eventually joined the Army ROTC program his freshman year of college during his search for his family away from home.

“These guys (recruiters) I now call my friends were super friendly,” said Kelly. “They welcome you in and they guide you through the entire process of getting your foot in the door.”

From a first-year student who skipped class, didn’t do homework and had too many late nights, Kelly summarized his transformation from the ROTC program in a few words.

“All of my friends in the program have helped me stray away from the path I was going down, which would’ve probably ended very terribly,” said Kelly. “ROTC helped me get my life together. Without it I probably wouldn’t be in school.”

Kelly finished the past year of school with full attendance and even received a reward for leadership excellence from his ROTC program, the top ‘turnaround’ Cadet.

Cadet Ana Morales, University of Texas at El Paso, was 18 years old when she enlisted. Like Kelly, her decision to join the Army has changed the trajectory of her life.

When she was only 13, Morales lost her mother to brain cancer which led to an unstable home life. Throughout high school she was homeless and sleeping on a friend’s couch, but she didn’t want to forfeit the rest of her life.

“I decided to go to college, and I’m doing it for my mom because she didn’t have the opportunity,” said Morales. “I’m very proud of myself. Despite everything I’ve gone through in my life I didn’t give up.”

Morales left her UPS warehouse job behind her and joined the SMP to finish school and continue on her journey to become an officer. Brian Morales, her husband and an active duty Soldier, was a pillar in her story.

“I became more motivated with my whole life because of him,” said Morales. “Love helped give me the strength to keep moving forward.”

Now away from her husband who’s stationed in Poland, Morales states she’s found her family for the summer at CST. From a new brother to little sister, she compared her fellow Cadets to siblings.

Morales uses the hardships from her past as motivation for her future career. The Army saved her life, now she hopes to save others.

“In the Army I broke free, I can be who I want to be and make my life my choice,” said Morales. “I want to inspire people who go through a challenging life, especially victims of domestic abuse, to be the first generation in college, to be the first in the Army.”

In the future, Morales wants to be a pediatrician and become the shoulder to lean on that she didn’t have. She was changed by her youth, but the Army helps define the strong woman she has become.

From personal battles to CST events, like the CBRN chamber, Army ROTC has helped Cadets Kelly and Morales overcome. Instilling confidence and faith in themselves as they move forward in their hopeful Army officer careers.