FORT KNOX, Ky. — As Cadets from the 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, climbed Fort Knox’s infamous three hills during the Battle March and Shoot (BMS) on June 13, 2026, each step tested more than their physical endurance. The grueling event challenged the mental toughness and perseverance that many Cadets hope to carry into their future roles as Army officers.

Designed to push Cadets beyond their comfort zones, the Battle March and Shoot combines a six-mile uphill ruck march with an accuracy-based marksmanship course, demanding focus under fatigue. The event forces participants to rely on the same resilience and discipline they say are fundamental to leadership.

“I think CST will definitely push me beyond my limits in a lot of ways,” said Cadet Cassidy Skoranksi from Purdue University. “The biggest thing about CST is trying your hardest no matter what.” 

Cadet Cassidy Skoranski from Purdue University, assigned to 3rd Platoon Bravo Company.

For Skoranksi, who was inspired to join because of the military’s positive impact on her family, she hopes to help develop mindsets like these at Purdue’s Boiler Battalion through her experiences at Fort Knox, as she believes they are necessary for success.  

“Definitely as that person that’s up in the front that people are looking at as an example, I want to be able to come here and do well, and be able to take it back so that they can be better prepared,” she said.

Cadet Kailynn Koozer, who came to CST from the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, saw ROTC as an opportunity to push herself beyond her limits and prove that she can overcome difficult challenges. 

“I really wanted something to both challenge me and prepare me the best for my future,” she said.

Through Misery, Agony, and Heartbreak hills, Koozer attributes her motivation to her peers, hopes to become the leader they wished they had when they first joined.  

“Just knowing that a bad leader is not something I liked to follow, I wouldn’t want to put my people through that as well,” she said. “If they were thinking about getting out right away, I’d like to be the person that makes them want to stay,”

Cadet Miguel Lugo from Columbus State University shared a similar experience with poor leadership, and hopes to create a change by leading soldiers through a positive working environment.

“I think I’ve learned more from the bad leaders than the good, and I don’t want to replicate that,” said Lugo, a previous Staff Sgt. who is a part of the Green to Gold program. “[A good leader] is someone who uplifts others, and is always leading from the front.” 

Whether by leading by example or maintaining composure under stress, many Cadets said CST defines the qualities that create effective leadership. 

“You’re going to push yourself, but you need to be able to stay calm under pressure; you need to be able to still treat people with respect under pressure,” said Skoranski. “The conditions may be less than ideal, but if you stay the course, be calm, and work well with others while you’re here you’re gonna get a lot out of it.