Fort Knox, Ky. – As Cadre secure each harness and shout out instruction, Cadets stand ready for the tough challenge ahead. The 64-foot tower provides ample challenge for Cadets, teaching them the importance of a clear mindset during Cadet Summer Training, July 9, 2025.

Cadets are often challenged during CST, and Cadre intentionally put them in uncomfortable situations to better prepare for the uncertainty that Army life may bring. To successfully pass, Cadets must descend twice.

Cadet Aidan Radtke, James Madison University, enjoyed the challenge faced at the rappel tower.

“Yeah I’m scared, but I also like the adrenaline that I get from doing it. So (it) kind of goes hand in hand,” said Radtke.

Looking back to his start, Radtke began with a much different mindset, lacking drive and a clear sense of purpose.

“I was thinking of dropping out of college after my freshman year, I didn’t do so well, and I was pretty unmotivated.” Radtke said. “I wanted to finish my degree out, so I decided to meet with my ROTC recruiter at JMU, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Describing it as the thing that brought him back on track, Radtke found motivation which has pushed him to conquer his fear today at the rappel tower.

“It’s a little scary looking over and there’s nothing below you, (you have to) not think and just do,” Radtke said. “If you overthink things, you’re not going to get anything done. If you just stop thinking so much, (you) just get there.”

Fellow platoon member, Cadet Myron Rodriguez, Georgia Southern University, explains how he and Radtke support each other throughout CST. Rodriguez shares that he too felt a lack of direction prior to his time at CST, feeling void of purpose.

“I was going through a phase where I just had no discipline,” Rodriguez said. “I was overweight, I was very unhealthy, and I wanted to make a change.”

Rodriguez realized his situation, understanding that it wasn’t good for him mentally or physically. At this point, he decided to pivot in a new direction, that being the army.

“That lit a spark. I told myself, you know what? I refuse to live a path that is darker,” Rodriguez said.

As his perspective changed, Rodriguez suddenly searched for something more with ROTC.

“I recommend joining in the military, because it gives you order. It gives you maintenance on yourself in a positive way,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez and Radtke successfully completed with a clear purpose in mind, understanding that the right mindset easily outweighs faults of the past.