FORT KNOX, Ky. – Ropes are tied tight, and the hands of the Cadets assigned to 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, are held firm. The first group of Cadet Summer Training 25 ventured through the Field Leader Reaction Course, June 7, 2025.

During this chapter of CST, Cadets are given a variety of obstacles and scenarios to overcome. Their squad may be transporting ammunition, or even other members of the group to accomplish their objective.

Once the Cadre brief the mission, the disadvantages are also made clear. Wooden planks, metal pipes and rope are the only means of navigating above and around penalty zones. This forces Cadets to keep time under control while thinking outside the box.

After only a week of getting to know each other, they worked together to cross from the thin rungs of a rope bridge over a steep wall. Forty minutes later, the group moved to the high ropes of a crash-site evacuation scenario.

Cadet Kurt Reid, from the University of Central Florida, 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, shared his experience with his group during the exercise.

“It’s really interesting to see how all of my teammates think outside the box, with the time constraint, and just the overall challenge of the obstacle course”, said Reid.

Pass or fail, each challenge began to shape Reid’s group. Following an obstacle, the group and the Cadre discussed the wins and losses leading to the outcome.

Cadre member Sgt. 1st Class Randy Blakemore, an infantryman assigned to Charlie Company, took notes continuously on their leadership performance.

“A lot of people, we all want to be heard, we all want to give our inputs, but you’ve got to take all that, filter it real quick, and make that decision on the next move,” said Blakemore.

Brig. Gen. Steven King, Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command and the Commandant of CST, also joined the Cadre in observing Charlie Company perform the FLRC. According to King, the FLRC sets the tone for the rest of the summer.

“As they continue on though CST, it’s going to help them further develop as individuals, and once again, as that squad and as that team,” said King. “What they do today, and what they find out about themselves is vitally important to the rest of CST.”