FORT KNOX, Ky. ─ Cadets assigned to 10th Regiment, Advanced Camp, walked down a long gravel road, some deviating into the tall grass, disappearing into the tree lines as they followed their compasses toward one of their four points during day land navigation at Cadet Summer Training on Fort Knox, Ky., July 30, 2025.

Land navigation tests Cadets on their ability to find their way using only a compass, map, and protractor to travel to four coordinates, each one scattered across thick forest terrain. It was in these woods that Cadet Jake Bertrang, Minnesota State University, found all four of his points.

“You got to be aware of where you are, especially if you’re in deployment,” Bertrang said. “There’s a lot more technology, so if they’re able to take that out, you’ve got to be able to know where you are with maps and stuff like that.”

Bertrang began his military career as a 15U helicopter repairer, where he worked with Chinook helicopters. He joined ROTC for leadership opportunities.

“I come from a family of a lot of officers and service,” he said. “I joined because I wanted to serve in the United States as an Army Officer.”

Despite having worked with helicopters during his enlistment, Bertrang wants to branch engineer, saying he likes to build things and engineering felt like a new path for him.

Some Cadets, like Cadet Kairavi Vajja, College of William and Mary, are stuck between two branches. Vajja is undecided, considering cyber or medical.

“I have a very big interest in health care policy,” Vajja said. “I’ve always had this interest and going medical services to learn more about it, be a part of it.”

Even as a child, Vajja was drawn toward giving back to the community, driven by a need to serve. She considered enlisting into the Navy out of high school, but decided to pursue college instead.

It was in her first semester of college that she accidentally joined ROTC after unknowingly joining what she thought was just a military science class.

“It was my first week of college and I get an email saying that I have to meet somewhere to pick up my gear and I was confused because I didn’t know what that meant,” she said. “I realized that I signed up for ROTC. Honestly, I was kind of happy because I always wanted to go into the military, it was just funny because who accidentally joins ROTC?”

Though she joined by a happy accident, Vajja has embraced CST and strives to find enjoyment in the little moments.

“There are such small things that we can make enjoyable,” Vajja said. “You can be having an awful day and then one thing happens and suddenly its fun.”

It is because of her connection with her company that Vajja is able to find joy in the harder times.

“If I struggle with something, I know that there are a handful of people I could go up to and say I need help and they will go above the yard to help me,” she said. “The people in your squad can influence you in many ways, that teamwork is really important.”

Though land navigation is completed solo, to Vajja, completing the event alone boosts the team as a whole and those assuming leadership.

“Today, I’m not in a leadership role, if I don’t do the things that are expected of me, how can I expect that from others when it’s my time?” she said. “It’s important to remember that you need to set an example for what you want people to do when you are in the leadership role.”

As both Bertrang and Vajja completed land navigation, they set the groundwork for the rest of their regiment to follow suit, prepared for the day they become the leaders.