FORT KNOX, Ky. – With a steady breath, controlled trigger squeeze, and upright confidence, cadets, assigned to 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp, work through the Engagement Skills Trainer during Cadet Summer Training (CST).

This exercise allows cadets to familiarize themselves with their weapon systems prior to their important M4 Qualification in the coming days.

While working through the exercise, Cadet Douah Coulibaly, Fayetteville State University, found her stride through keeping her focus on the positive side of things.

“Sometimes you’re just so nervous, you want to do well, and then you get in your own head, and you don’t do well. So, when you make everything fun, you do well,” Coulibaly explained.

Not only does Coulibaly find relief from the stress through breathing techniques, but also from learning about the teammates she’s met through CST. For her, she enjoys getting to know those in her platoon and understanding why they joined the Army.

Sometimes adapting to circumstances is the best way to grow closer to those around you. For Coulibaly, she faced some difficulties prior to who she is today, starting with coming to the United States after living in Africa for a lot of her life.

After settling in America, and living here for a few years, she felt a pull to help others through a similar journey.

“I used to teach language for a special operation group at Fulbright [as a contractor]. I was around people with a uniform,” Coulibaly explained, “I wanted to join, but I had to wait because of COVID.”

Fulbright is a program that gives Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) students an opportunity to see other areas of the world. Coulibaly assisted those students in adjusting to the United States.

It was through her time teaching that she began to admire the mindset of those students in the ROTC program. This led her to eventually pursue a career in the Army.

During her time at CST, Coulibaly has embraced the difficulties found out on the field, but she is also excited to return to her home program and mentor the younger generations with the new experience gained.

“I don’t want the soldiers to depend on a leader who cannot lead from the front or who tries to stay away from the hard stuff,” Coulibaly said.

Coulibaly finds motivation in wanting to be a confident and experienced leader. It is through her time at CST that will give her the proficiency she needs.

Just be interested. There is no lesson that goes wasted. Even if it’s a hard experience, there will always be a lesson,” Coulibaly explained.