Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp completed the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC) at Fort Knox, Ky. This course allowed Cadets to work as a team to complete each obstacle while building leadership skills.

“I think it’s definitely important to work as a team. We first came up to this obstacle, none of us really knew how to get across it or what our plan was, but each person kind of had a different idea and together that made us more successful in completing this obstacle,” Guidi said. 

Cadet Hannah Guidi from Boston University and her squad completed the barrel roll obstacle. The objective of this obstacle was to utilize two boards that were shorter than the length of two platforms to get a barrel and everyone on the team to the second platform. 

Guidi and her squad decided to take off their belts and use them to secure the two boards together. Then, they lifted the boards up and with a rope were able to lower the boards down to the other platform.

“I was standing at the front, there was a lot of weight being pushed forward. So I thought for sure we’re going down, but all my squad members had my back and we pulled it back,” Guidi said. 

Cadet Michael Fazio, from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and his squad were given the Medivac obstacle first. The Cadets were instructed to take a stretcher with a dummy across the obstacle while having limited areas to touch. 

“I think we did pretty good, first one of the day and we’re just getting to know everybody so having an opportunity like this is pretty good to kind of build relationships before we go out into the field,” Fazio said. 

Cadet Elaine Bishop from Sam Houston State University, and the only female in her squad, said she believed communication was key in taking on each obstacle. 

“It’s very important that we work together, show respect to each other and definitely include each other, no matter the gender,” said Bishop. “Definitely communicate with your squads. If you don’t communicate, you’re not going to get anything done. Be quick on your feet, but also take the time to think it through.”