FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets assigned to 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, arrive at Cadet Summer Training expecting to learn basic Army principles. For two cadets, however, the experience has become an opportunity to find their voices by embracing mistakes, building confidence and growing as future leaders. 

Cadet Jimmy Rodriguez, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, grew up in a purpose-driven family. Raised by a single mother alongside an older sister and two stepbrothers, he learned early the importance of discipline, hard work and serving others. 

His mother pushed him to earn good grades, excel in sports and always look for ways to help those around him. Those lessons shaped the mindset that eventually led him to Army ROTC. 

“The main reason that I decided to join ROTC was to become part of a family, of people with the same mindset as me, including discipline, courage and bravery,” Rodriguez said.

Even with the values his family instilled, Rodriguez arrived at CST determined to keep raising the bar. 

As a child, he looked up to his older siblings. Now, that inspiration comes from the cadets attending Advanced Camp. 

“Every time we pass them, they look like superheroes,” Rodriguez said. “It is nerve-racking to hear about evaluations and the 12-mile foot marches, but it motivates me. They set the standard. When there is a standard, it gives me something to work toward; when there’s something to work toward, there’s a purpose.”

During his first week at Basic Camp, Rodriguez was selected as a squad leader. Rather than carrying the responsibility alone, he created alpha and bravo team leader positions to give more cadets ownership and encourage them to speak up. 

When he first arrived, Rodriguez admitted his instinct was to keep his head down and simply follow orders. Many of his fellow cadets felt the same, worried that making a mistake would draw unwanted attention. 

Instead, he learned that growth comes from embracing those mistakes. 

“You just have to constantly tell yourself that this is a learning environment,” he said. “You make mistakes here so you can improve and be better when you go back to your program.”

For Cadet Emily Greene, University of Utah, that same lesson has helped her discover confidence she didn’t know she had. 

Greene does not consider herself outspoken. Speaking up in front of others has always been intimidating, especially when asking questions or volunteering to lead.

Basic Camp, however, has challenged her to step outside of her comfort zone. 

Each time she speaks up or takes on something unfamiliar, Greene hopes she shows other cadets that making mistakes is part of becoming a leader. 

Outside of the encouragement she receives from family back home, Greene also draws confidence from a tattoo of a lion that stretches down her left arm. 

“It is a huge symbol of bravery for me,” Greene said. “When I look at it I feel a little more courageous and like I can do the hard things. It just brings me a lot of joy.”

Whether it’s Rodriguez learning to lead by giving others a voice or Greene finding the confidence to use her own, both cadets say Basic Camp has reinforced the same lesson: leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about having the courage to learn, grow and help others do the same.