Fort Knox, Ky. — During the situational exercises of the Field Leadership Reaction Course, a squad of Cadets came to a standstill, July 7, 2025. As their time escaped them, a member of Cadre gave an ultimatum. Recite the Soldier’s Creed or remain stuck.

They needed to transport a box of ammo over two steep walls with penalty zones on either side. Only different-sized logs were available to them.

Cadet Dominic Morano, Bowling Green State University, volunteered as his squad tried and failed their first strategy. They waited for his recitation in silence.

“I am an American Soldier”, said Morano. “I am a warrior and a member of a team.”

Since basic training, Morano had not recited the creed. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Saint Vincent College and began in the ROTC program. The program closed shortly after. Despite this setback, he still wanted to serve.

“I took a year off to enlist and get my foot in the door,” said Morano. “I wanted to come back and finish school. When I did that, I knew I was going to come back into ROTC.”

Starting again, he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard. Morano served as a joint fire support specialist. Supporting his fellow infantryman in the field, he learned that details make all the difference.

“There are a lot of variables to artillery,” said Morano. “If anything’s off, I make adjustments and corrections, so we get on target.”

Among the FLRC’s most difficult obstacles is a fixed mindset. Cadets cannot afford to be cautious of new ideas. Racing against the clock, feedback must be filtered, and all voices must be heard. Sometimes, a good idea is all it takes to bridge the gap.

“You’re constantly surrounded by new people who all have different backgrounds, leadership experiences and goals in mind,” he said. “These obstacles force us to work as a team and think outside the box to accomplish a common goal.”

Returning to his squad, he gathered his fellow Cadets to discuss a new strategy. With a new course of action, they collected logs to clear the obstacle.

Cadets confident in their strength created two support beams, while the tallest supported the third log overhead. Together, they put their trust in each other, this time for a new approach.

For Morano, this new dynamic could not be more necessary.

“We’re all here trying to be leaders, so you need to know when to let someone else lead and when to follow,” he said. “It’s important that we find a way to come together to do that.”