FORT KNOX, KY.– As humidity loomed, Cadets assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, tackled the confidence course as part of their Cadet Summer Training.

With 10 daunting obstacles, the course is designed to physically and mentally challenge Cadets.

While some obstacles are difficult, others help Cadets overcome fear and gain leadership skills.

Some Cadets approached the obstacles believing in their ability to conquer them, others were unsure of themselves.

Cadet Teslin Animashaun, University of Tampa, Charlie Company, 1st Regiment, a former enlisted Soldier, felt confident before he ever started the course as this was not his first time on an obstacle course; it was the 10th of his Army career.

“It’s more of a refresher (the confidence course),” he said.

To him, the challenge was more mental than physical.

“It was more mental, with the heights,” he said.

Overtime, he was able to overcome his fear of height by facing it so many times on different obstacle courses. Now he thinks it’s fun.

“It’s just a game,” he said.

Cadet Chris Martinez, St. John’s University, Charlie Company, 1st Regiment, was feeling similar.

“I’m super confident,” Martinez said.

He had just completed “the tough one”, an obstacle that begins with a rope climb, followed by a walk across wooden planks to a ladder. Cadets climb the ladder, then go over a wooden log and down a cargo net.

“I learned how to climb a rope yesterday,” he said. “So I’m feeling super good.”

Another Cadet, Claudia Colston, University of Tennessee at Martin, Charlie Company, 1st Regiment, felt differently headed into the confidence course.

“I was a little nervous,” Colston said. “It’s been a little while since I’ve done these (confidence climb).”

It had been about two years since she had done any type of obstacle course.

“Even though I was really, really scared and nervous, it’s so much fun,” she said.

Colston was impressed with how she was performing on the course, even though there were only two obstacles she had not successfully completed.

Cadet Katalina Archiable, Alabama A&M University, Charlie Company, 1st Regiment, also went into the confidence course feeling nervous.

The obstacle she was most nervous about was “the confidence climb,” a ladder about 40 feet tall with varying distances between steps.

While on the second to last step, Archiable was crying. She felt unsure if she would be able to complete the obstacle. Eventually, she was able to reach up a little higher and get over the last step before starting the climb down.

“I learned that I’m more capable than I thought I was,” Archiable said.

Whether they headed into the confidence course sure of themselves or feeling doubtful, Cadets agreed that they wouldn’t have been able to make it through the course without their battle buddies.

During “the confidence climb,” Archiable found the confidence in herself to complete the obstacle by listening to the encouragement from her squad.

“I honestly don’t think I would’ve been able to do it without the support of my teammates,” Archiable said.

She wasn’t the only Cadet who relied on the support of her battle buddies throughout the course.

With his battle buddies cheering him on, Animashaun feels much more motivated to perform well.

“It makes my blood boil and I just want to conquer everything,” Animashaun said. “This (confidence course) will be another achievement for me.”

While he can encourage himself a lot, he said there are times when he feels down and needs support.

When his battle buddies are cheering him on, Animashaun feels like he can accomplish anything.