FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 5th Regiment rappelled into confidence, July 12, on the Rappel tower/ Confidence Course during their final days before they graduate from Advanced Camp at Fort Knox.

Cadets learn how to rappel down a 64-foot tower. They make their own harness from rope, they then move onto the slanted wall and just get the movements down and to figure out which hand will be the break hand and which hand is the guide hand.

Adavcned Camp 5th Regiment Cadets put their skills to the test going down 64 foot height tower, July 12, at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo By: Jordyn McCulley)

The Cadets must go down two different sides; one side is with a wall that goes 64 foot straight up wall side and the other is the no wall side where they rappel with out a wall to steady them.

“I thought I did well, I’ve done it before but it’s definitely great to check on your knowledge and go down again,” said Cadet Tim Shimrock, Bowling Green State University from Cincinnati, Ohio.

“My school rappels once a semester so it wasn’t my first time; but I’ve never done the no wall side, so that definitely was the scary experience for me,” said Cadet Noel Hanson, University of Scranton from Prospect Park, Pa. “Its all about getting up there and trusting the equipment.”

For some Cadets this is their first time and it is a scary experience.

“I always find the initial position getting into the “L” position is always the most nerve racking,” said Hanson. “ I was surprised that my body knew what to do, I thought I was going to forget what to do on the no wall side and end upside down.”

Hanson talked about how this course has helped her confidence grow

A Cadet looks up as his Cadre after doing the 4-point check to make sure he gets the go ahead for the next rappel, July 12, at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo By: Jordyn McCulley)

“It’s a good time for everyone to build confidence and push their potentials of what they are capable of,” said Hanson. “Confidence for sure, you realize how high it is when your walking up the stairs, and if your scared of heights it is something you have to push through and push the fears aside.”

“Everyone is a whole here in 5th Regiment,” said Shimrock

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:

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