FORT KNOX, Ky. – Only the crunch of gravel and rustling of paper can be heard as Cadets assigned to 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, complete land navigation training, July 2, 2025.

Land navigation aims to teach Cadets how to use basic tools such as a protractor, map and compass to navigate remote environments in the chance that they have no access to technology.

“It’s important to know how to do things without technology because you never know what situation you can find yourself in,” said Cadet Andrew Markson, North Dakota State University. “When you can plot a point and use the different techniques it builds confidence in yourself.”

Confidence and trust are all Cadets need to complete land navigation, a sentiment echoed by Cadet Caleb Beets, Texas Tech University.

“You have to trust yourself and the skills you have,” said Beets. “You’re out there by yourself and you need to have the confidence in your skills and abilities to make sure you’re doing the right thing.”

With building this self-assurance, comes the ability to grow into a better leader.

“Anything you do as a leader, you need to be confident in yourself,” said Beets. “Then others can also be confident in you and trust your leadership.”

Cadet Jorge Deleon, University of Puerto Rico, saw land navigation not only as a way to refresh practical skills, but a way to hone those leadership capabilities for his future career.

“When I go out into the field, my confidence will enable me to actually lead my platoon,” said Deleon. “It will build trust in my peers to follow me and will give me the push needed to be a great leader.”

As Cadets face one obstacle after another, they know relying on that inner confidence will be able to carry them through.

“Once you get to that point of self-confidence, you can tackle any obstacle,” said Deleon. “No matter how hard it is, because you had those fundamentals and you built that trust within you.”