FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets assigned to 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, got a second chance at completing the Land Navigation training exercise on July 22, 2026, an event that consists of cadets locating four points using only a compass, a map and coordinates.

After failing to complete LNAV yesterday, many of the cadets arrived at the course feeling nervous. Not only because they knew that if they failed the second time around, they would have failed the LNAV portion of CST, but also because they felt they could only go up after their performances yesterday.

Cadet Kathryn Fix, assigned to Delta Company, 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, from the Colorado School of Mines, sustained an injury during yesterday’s LNAV exercise, which resulted in her not being able to finish the course. Today, however, she returned with a newfound determination.

“I wanted to get through it. I knew I had the skills, and I knew that I was able to do it. I just had to stumble and fall,” Fix said.

But other cadets had different reasons for needing a second chance at the course.

For Cadet Xavier Ward-Cardona, assigned to Delta Company, 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, from Liberty University, it was greed. He claimed to have been too fixated on the map itself, rather than the terrain around him.

“I think it came down to getting my first two points, and then having that morale so high [that] I felt I could just go for my next two. But time got to me, so I learned from my mistakes,” he said.

However, despite the nerves that lingered, these cadets all had their own way to combat that anxiety before stepping back onto the course.

One of those methods was a universal tactic used by several cadets — prayer.

Before returning, Fix claimed that she prayed and tried to think positive thoughts, reassuring herself about her confidence in her skills. Ward-Cardona shared similar beliefs and allowed his religion to be his guide.

“I said a quick prayer before I even got in the field,” Ward-Cardona said. “I have a calling for the military itself. I’ve been put here for a good reason. I’ve made it this far, [and] I’m not going to fail now.”

When he stepped back onto the course, his confidence came back tenfold.

Whether it be simply a bad day or other anxieties, each cadet has their own methods for combatting those fears, regardless of how they affected them previously.

For Cadet Michael Terry, assigned to Delta Company, 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, from Florida Atlantic University, it was trying to not dwell on the past and to focus only on what lies ahead of him.

“Not to focus on the past [and] keep pushing forward,” Terry said. “Just go out there and try your best. If you leave everything out there on the field, then [you] can’t really be disappointed in yourself, regardless of how many points you did or didn’t get.”

Coming back to the LNAV training exercise might have seemed nerve-wracking to them, but they persevered, and many of them hope that the cadets that come after this can take something away from them. But ultimately, there is one main piece of advice that 9th Regiment wants future cadets to remember.

“You might fail at first, but keep pushing. Don’t give up on yourself. And always keep your ‘why’ in the back of your head. Remember why you’re doing it — why you keep pushing,” said Terry.