Fort Knox, Ky. – As boots slam against the rappel tower and the impact echoes through the air, Cadets in 9th Regiment set out to conquer their fears and remember what they’re fighting for during rappel training on the 64-foot-tall rappel tower, July 24th, 2025.

While descending the tower, Cadets must work past their fears, often finding support from those around them. Cadet Samora Robinson, Old Dominion University, found her motivation from previous training.

“The chaplain actually gave us motivational words yesterday,” she said. “I used that to help me get through today and tell myself that I can overcome this fear.”

With the short time Cadets have together, they quickly build strong relationships through telling stories and comparing ambitions, embracing the differences everyone has.

“We came together, and it did take some time,” she said. “We all want to be officers, and we just created our own little family within the platoon.”

While working through CST, Robinson often thinks of her family back at home and how their past triumphs inspire her to go the extra mile.

“My dad had a heart transplant,” she said. “Luckily he lived, bless his soul, so that’s a huge hurdle.”

Despite the difficult times her family went through, Robinson finds ways to turn those difficult memories into something positive. She uses that motivation to overcome the challenge that is the rappel tower.

“If I feel like I want to give up, I think (about how) my dad got through his heart surgery, so I can get through CST,” she added.

Going through the hardships of the past, Robinson’s family grew closer, and during her time on Fort Knox, those same relationships are where she finds her strength.

“They still send me text messages saying good morning, and they might send me a good luck message or a little prayer to get me going through the day,” she said.

During the difficult times, Robinson finds comfort in knowing there is a family rooting for her back at home, sometimes she must deal with challenges as they come.

“You just got to take (it) one day at a time,” she said. “If you fail, just get back up and try it again.”