FORT KNOX, Ky. – In spite of our nerves, what makes us strong is the decision to move forward in any situation. When we find the courage to face our fears it helps to create a sense of victory and prove it’s possible. For cadets, Cadet Summer Training offers a variety of opportunities for them to conquer their fears and doubts.
Those attending Basic Camp find themselves facing the fear of heights within the span of two days. On day one, they confront the 64-foot-tall rappel tower with day two featuring a high ropes course. Both varying heights challenging a cadet’s confidence, courage, and trust.
“I’m not the biggest fan [of heights], so after doing the rappel tower yesterday, I figured that would be the worst of it. So, I felt more prepared [for the high ropes course] seeing that I was able to do that fine,” says Cadet Lucy Smith, a Tarleton University student, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp.
In Smith’s opinion, having the opportunity to face the taller height the day before allowed her to feel a greater sense of comfort with the lower ropes course. Her experience consisted of tackling the Alpine course, a wooden structure built up of climbing logs, nets, and ropes that led to variety of paths to the top. Smith found that if she focused on the path ahead, she did better. Having a mindset where she focused on the moment rather than her fear helped her to face the discomfort of heights and make it up the course.
“Going into it I was like, I think I’m gonna do good. I’m gonna pretend I’m gonna do good so I do good,” recalled Cadet Cassidy Pemberton, a Northern Kentucky student, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp.
Facing the Tarzan course featuring different ropes to crawl, climb, and swing on Pemberton found herself intimidated. Her initial expectations of the course were far from what it actually was. Before this, she had the chance to conquer a similar course in name but not in height. For her, the idea of falling and the outcome is what made her scared of heights. Upon completing the course, she found the chaplain who prayed with the cadets before they started, her battle buddy, and breathing techniques to be the most comforting.
“Just do the techniques that’s three, two, and then just go. [Then] you kind of blank,” said Pemberton.
In the moment, focusing on her breathing and keeping a clear head was something that allowed her to push forward. While the encouragement from her battle buddy on the ground also served as a big support and motivator.
“She kept me motivated. I knew she was there the whole time. We’re always there for each other and that was extremely helpful,” said Cadet Allison Belt, an Auburn University student, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp
Belt and Pemberton were each other’s support on the ground when the other was on the course. Both found that having someone to rely on and get words of reassurance was really comforting. In regard to heights, Belt wasn’t a huge fan but found that this course didn’t bother her as much as the rappel tower.
“I felt confident because I was one of the last people to go on and I wasn’t very nervous because I had seen that no one’s equipment failed,” expressed Belt.
Having witnessed the rest of her fellow cadets safely completing the course she felt better prepared to finish the course. The only thing that she found disconcerting was the fact that the course was exhausting and drained her, making it harder for her to push through. However, each of these cadets were able to find a source of comfort that helped them find confidence in themselves to conquer their fears and face the ropes course with greater courage than the day before.
“I trusted in my equipment, and I trusted the cadre around me to get me across safely even when my own body failed. They lifted me up; they got me across safely,” concluded Belt.
About the Author: Jenna Whaley
