FORT KNOX, Ky. – Your limitations are often governed by your mentality, not by your physical limitations. Cadets assigned to 7^th Regiment, Advanced Camp, fortify their mental resolve as they wind their way through the confidence course on Fort Knox, Ky., July 14, 2025.

After successfully navigating the weaver, an obstacle at the confidence course requiring Cadets to weave their way between wooden beams, Cadet Liam Reilly, Widener University, discusses how his experience in the Air Assault School at West Point has helped him push through Cadet Summer Training.

“I really learned that, you know, like, it gets really hot out there in the summer at West Point, and you know, you’re getting smoked, no doubt about it, and your mind’s telling you like, oh, like, I want to go home, I’m tired of this,” Reilly said. “When you just block that out, your body can do like astronomical things you’ve never even thought about.”

While at West Point, Reilly learned a famous quote from David Goggins which has stuck with him ever since.

“When you think you’re done, you’re only 40% into what your body’s capable of doing,” Goggins said.

With this in mind, Reilly continues to endure as he progresses through CST, confident and sure that he can go the distance despite self-imposed limitations.

“So, just learning that you yourself are limitless, and everything’s a mentality, like even being here,” he said. “My cadre first said you can either be dirty and happy, or dirty and miserable. You know, it’s all a mentality right? Your body is just doing what you tell it to do. Your mind is something you have to conquer.”

From having a growth mindset and overcoming self-imposed limitations, Reilly learned that he can encourage others, lead through experience, and pour into your peers.

“I know when I was a freshman, I looked up to all the guys that had wings and airborne wings and all that. I was like, I want to do that one day. So, you’re kind of instilling a standard in your program, you know, and you make these younger guys MS 1s and MS 2s,” Reilly said. “You make them want to chase those goals and be a better version of themselves. So, it’s like being a role model, leading by example.”

Reilly is currently pursuing a major in finance and hopes to branch infantry. Ever since childhood, Reilly had always wanted to join the Army and serve his country especially after watching some of his favorite shows and movies, “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan.”

In pursuit of his dreams, Reilly has built upon his knowledge as a leader and strengthened his mental resolve during his time at CST.

“I think no matter like, what happens in life, I’ll always be able to carry the skills I learned in ROTC, whether it’s teamwork or perseverance or just concentration and confidence,” he said. “I’ll always be able to carry that with me no matter where I take it, whether it’s you know trying to help my family, trying to help my friends, trying to make a career.”