FORT KNOX, Ky. – “We are able to see the sunrise, hear the chirps of the birds and see the trucks roll by,” said Cadet Abram Whitfield from East Tennessee State University,

assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp after he completed the Army Fitness Test.

The AFT tests cadets on their physical agility with a three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank and two-mile run. While this test does come with a lot of pressure with it being for a grade, Whitfield sees it as a gift.

“Being able to see the scenery, being able to run around the track for the first and second lap, it is a very nice opportunity and blessing,” said Whitfield.

Whitfield has a positive outlook on life. While finding joy in one of the challenges at camp, he said he believes that one encouraging act can inspire others.

“Kindness spreads through joy and smiling. It will spread through one person to the next, one battle buddy to the next to battle buddy across the street,” said Whitfield. “Watching everyone else be kind to each other encouraged me to push others and to be able to open up a little bit more.”

Whitfield was not the only one motivating the cadets at AFT, also Chaplain Nick Schmidlin.

Like all chaplains, their job is to spread encouragement and be a resource for Soldiers if they are in need of spiritual guidance. However, what makes Schmidlin different from other chaplains is that he completes all of the events with the cadets.

From the rappel tower, the night infiltration course, and now AFT, Schmidlin experiences the same challenges as the cadets to better relate to them.

“Our job is to encourage at the AFT. I wanted to get out here and take it with them and just show them that we are there to support them and that we can do it together,” said Schmidlin.

Schmidlin is a former cadet and now holds the title of captain. With this leadership, Schmidlin goes the extra mile for the cadets and said that responsibility is sacred.

“While I might be a captain and they might be a cadet, I’m there to just support them along their journey and that we’re in this together and that they are going to become future officers.”