FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, finished conducting their Field Training Exercise course on July 23, 2026.

However, as their time at Cadet Summer Training comes to an end, many of the cadets reflected on what motivated them to keep pushing through the various obstacles they faced this summer — the connections they made with their fellow cadets.

Before arriving on Fort Knox, many of the cadets did not expect to be leaving Basic Camp with the friendships that they forged through shared struggles and easy camaraderie.

Cadet Danika Sylvain, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from Florida State University, claimed that she gained not only more sympathy during her time at CST, but genuine connections she never expected to make. Whether it was her squad randomly bursting into song mid-ruck or simply making one another laugh, it made her time here worthwhile.

“I made a lot of good connections with people here. I made a lot of genuine friends that I never thought I would make, too,” Sylvain said. “I’ll miss some of these people because it was just moments like that that made it really take off for me. It made [things fun].”

But Sylvain was not the only cadet who thought the connections she made here were a powerful motivator that helped push her through CST.

Cadet Jaiden Harp-Kapaou, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from Sam Houston State University, claimed that not only did she have the opportunity to meet cadets from regions all around the world, but that those very cadets were her main motivation.

“During the times where we have to pick up and ruck to the next location, having my battle buddies there [helps],” Harp-Kapaou said. “They’re going through the same thing I’m going through, but they’re still pushing me and motivating me to do better.”

Another cadet, George Weir, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp, from SUNY Brockport, claimed that aside from getting the chance to fire live rounds at the shooting range, he loved the sense of community that the military gave him.

“I would suggest Basic Camp to anybody who would listen,” Weir said. “People say that your community is your greatest asset, and that is absolutely true. Sometimes, when you are having a bad day or a bad experience, the people around you will just sense it and do their best to make everything better.”

As CST comes to an end, many of the cadets have already planned on keeping in touch with one another, regardless of where they are from in the world. The connections they formed on the field, in the barracks and on each obstacle that they faced, are ones that they hope to take with them as they leave Fort Knox.