by: Mattie Cook
Fort Knox, Ky.- Cadets of 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp battled the feats of Beaudoin Obstacle Course on Fort Knox, Ky., June 15 as part of their Cadet Summer Training (CST).
Cadets of 2nd Regiment Basic Camp conquer the fence jump before moving to the next obstacle of the Beaudoin Obstacle Course on Fort Knox, Ky., June 15. The course includes obstacles such as low crawl, high wall and cargo climb to build comaradarie and teamwork. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
The obstacle course is designed to challenge those who brave it’s stations, but Cadets say working together as a team is key.
Cadet Joel Mock, University of Central Florida, Fla., agreed teamwork was the best part of the course.
“The bars were definitely the hardest part for each platoon so just cheering each other on was a really good experience, really motivated and I enjoyed it,” said Mock. “I told myself to keep pushing and to keep my team motivated. I’m excited. I’m ready for more honestly.”
With faces in the dirt and grit in their teeth, Cadets pushed through the physical challenges and motivated each other to beat them and their mental hesitations.
Cadet Jeremiah Garcia, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, was able to express the true value of the course.
“A majority of people think it’s for you to excel and do your best as one but my platoon and I proved to everybody that it’s about one team, one fight,” said Garcia. “So we motivated each other, got through it all and finished it all together to build to spirit of the corp and team cohesion so we can finish the rest of the month strong.”
A Cadet of 2nd Regiment Basic Camp goes through the low crawl obstacle at the Beaudoin Obstacle Course on Fort Knox, Ky., June 15. The course includes obstacles such as low crawl, high wall and cargo climb to build comaradarie and teamwork. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
He said the best and most difficult parts were all together, fun.
“The low crawl, diggin’ your face in the dirt is definitely something new. Everything was hard but all in all everything was fun too,” he said. “The cargo net wall, you had to trust your battle buddy who was behind you letting you know he was there to catch you if you didn’t make the pad. That was the best part.”
When asked what he learned, Garcia had this to say.
“Trust your peers. In the Army It’s always about one team. If one falls, everyone falls and we get back up together. I was telling myself that if I fail, everyone else fails so it’s not just about me anymore.”
Through motivation and perseverance, Cadets of 2nd Regiment Basic Camp proved to everyone at Beaudoin Obstacle Course that they are one team, fighting one fight.
Cadet Summer Training will bring 8,200 Cadets through Basic and Advanced Camp this summer on Fort Knox. These camps are designed to help challenge, grow and improve various skills and leadership qualities within the Cadets. If you think you have what it takes to be a Cadet or if you are interested in a job after college, click the following link: https://my.goarmy.com/info/form/GetBrcFormRedirectByUrl.action?url=/info/rotc1/index.jsp
