FORT KNOX, Ky. – Although the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets had to scale down a 64-foot rappel tower solo, no Cadet felt truly alone during rappel tower training in Fort Knox, Ky., June 16, 2023. Whether it be through securing somebody’s rope harness or cheering loudly, the 3rd Regiment Cadets found various ways to support one another throughout the entirety of training.

Master Sgt. Joshua Geery from the University of Kansas has enjoyed watching the Cadets build bonds with one another during Cadet Summer Training. Geery works as a member of the platoon training officer team, and one of his main responsibilities is to provide the Cadets with helpful feedback. After witnessing the 3rd Regiment Cadets complete rappel tower training, Geery noted the 3rd Regiment’s team effort.

“One of the greatest things that we get see here is not us motivating them, but them building the team and motivating each other,” said Geery. “You will never build lifelong friends and cohesive teams anywhere else the way you do in the Army.”

Cadet Luci Gallegos from James Madison University and Cadet Hayden Back from Citadel Military College of South Carolina are living proof of the lifelong friendships that form during CST. Gallegos and Back are in the same platoon and said they have been encouraging one another since the day they arrived.

Back noted, “We always try to motivate and support one another, especially out here. I knew Luci was kind of scared of heights, and I’m a little afraid myself, but working together makes it a whole lot easier to do as a team.”

Back explained why building relationships is so important during Advanced Camp.

“Basically, everything you do here you’re going to have to do as a team. Out in the field, we combine to make each other look good. Out in the field when somebody has a leadership role, we support them, we help them grow, and we use what we know to help benefit them.”

Gallegos said friends like Back helped her put aside her fear of heights and complete her training.

“Back was there for me the entire time. He was like, ‘I got you, don’t worry, you’re going to be okay,’ since day one,” said Gallegos.

When it comes to daunting tasks like rappelling down a 64-foot rappel tower, the amount of encouragement Cadets give one another can be the difference in whether they can make it through CST.

 “Without people cheering me on or motivating me, I feel like I definitely would have not been able to do this today,” said Gallegos.