Fort Knox, Ky.,—Her finger grazed the trigger as she steadied her breathing, eyes fixed on her target down range. The Cadet didn’t fire until she was ready, until the tension in her shoulders gave way to control. To anyone else, it looked like an ordinary marksmanship drill, but for Cadet Dakotah Gambrell, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, Group and Zero was more. It wasn’t about just hitting the target; it was a reminder of the reason she continues to pull the trigger. Mother, military spouse, active-duty Soldier, and green to gold Cadet, Gambrell carries more than an M4 on her shoulders.

Gambrell joined ROTC eager for an opportunity to provide for her family. With a medical background, Gambrell is no stranger to the high-paced environment and multi-tasking that comes with attending Advanced Camp. Her ability to navigate high energy situations translates to her home life as well.

“As a mother of two in a dual-military household, every decision I make has to count,” she said.

Gambrell, unlike many of her peers, is not new to the Army lifestyle. Her husband is also active duty, and together they juggle the challenges of parenting and the unpredictability of military service. To Gambrell, balance isn’t about equality, it is about adaptability.

“It’s almost never 50/50,” she said. “Some days work takes priority; some days family does. We communicate constantly. When he’s really busy I step up. When I am, he does the same. It’s not always easy, but it works.”

This mindset also made Gambrell a better team player within her squad. Although she has prior experience and has had deliberate training outside of Advanced Camp, Gambrell attributes most of her improvement to marksmanship training and guidance from her peers.

“People think priors know all the answers, but we really don’t. I’m learning too,” she said. “I don’t see it as a competition. We’re all just learning from each other and trying to exceed the standard.”

This philosophy defines Gambrell’s leadership style. Rather than competing against her peers, she focuses on leading by example. She sets personal goals and prioritizes surpassing her own expectations.

“You can’t compare yourself to others. I set standards for myself and aim to exceed those,” she said. “If I see someone doing well, I take note, celebrate them, and figure out how I can do better than last time.”

For Gambrell, she leads her squad as a unit, drawing from others’ strengths and experiences to create an efficient team. Rather than competing against her fellow Cadets, she competes against herself—pushing herself to become an example of drive, compassion, and stability for her squad and family alike.