A Cadet from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp scales over a wall at the Beaudion Obstacle Course July 11, 2018. Photo By: KirstyAnn Cole
FORT KNOX, Ky – Going under the wire and over the wall, Cadets from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp learned the importance of motivation and swift action at the Beaudion Obstacle Course July 11, 2018.
“Today, we did an obstacle course that was testing the agility and strength of individual Cadets,” explained Cadet Said Eljadidi, Bryant University. “…It was all about timing, strength, and seeing who could persevere the longest.”
The course consisted of 14 different activities, including a rope climb, balance beams, a net climb, and monkey bars.
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets find their balance, walking along logs at the Beaudion Obstacle Course July 11, 2018. Photo By: KirstyAnn Cole
“This helps with a number of different individual movement techniques: how to get across different barriers, balance, climbing over walls, crawling under low wires and obstacles,” stated Drill Sergeant Adam Fager. “It also helps to build teamwork. They are all out here cheering on their battle buddies, making sure everybody passes and everybody gets through.”
Cadets lined up with their platoons, ready for their turn to make moves and overcome each barrier. Cheers roared through the trees as each one maneuvered their way through as fast as they could.
“I have a really good platoon and we’re always really encouraging,” said Cadet Lacy Kemp, Arkansas State University. “Even [with] my battle buddy, if one of us got ahead of the other, the other one was [saying] ‘Hey, come on! Let’s go! Pick it up!’”
A Cadet from 5th Regiment, Basic Camp pulls himself up the dreaded rope at the Beaudion Obstacle Course July 11, 2018. Photo By: KirstyAnn Cole
The Cadets were met with some fun obstacles as well as challenging ones, such as the formidable rope climb and the monkey bars.
“A lot of them have never climbed a rope before and they’re still learning the technique to lock their feet in, so they’re relying on their arms,” continued Drill Sergeant Fager. “It’s a little bit tough.”
While many of the Cadets expressed similar laments regarding the rope, Cadet Eljadidi listed that as one of his favorites.
“It takes a lot of strength to get up there,” he described. “Everyone has a different technique, some use a J-hook or an S-hook and some just muscle it up. I tend to muscle it up and everyone gets really excited when I do that. I definitely have to say the rope climb is my favorite part.”
5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets encourage their peer at the Beaudion Obstacle Course July 11, 2018. Photo By: KirstyAnn Cole
The monkey bars, the final step of the course, were a challenge for all.
“Your hands are really sweaty by the time you get to the monkey bars, so you lose your grip,” said Cadet Kemp.
However, as their teammates swung through the last obstacle, the Cadets gathered around to cheer them on and give them motivation to complete the course.
“It shows that you can do something,” reflected Cadet Nathaniel Thackel, Georgia Military College. “It’s a lot of different obstacles and shows that if you try hard enough, you can get through it.”
