FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp, worked together to complete a series of obstacles during the Field Leader Reaction Course at Fort Knox, Ky., July 7, 2023.
FLRC is designed to build Cadets’ leadership and teamwork skills by having them complete challenging obstacles within a time limit. It requires quick decision making and trust in each other.
Cadet Corey Coombs from Texas State University, faced some anxiety during one of the courses, in which Cadets had to get themselves and a heavy box across ropes and over a wall.
“I was a little skeptical, because for this one specifically the bridge is moving while you’re trying to scale a wall,” Coombs said. “We were able to communicate and come up with a system where we had three people work as a team to hoist everyone up.”
Cadet Kaytee Crook from Brigham Young University, echoed Coombs’ sentiment on the importance of communication.
“It’s important when we work as a team [and] that we all make sure that we try to have a voice, and share our thoughts and our ideas,” Crook said. “Sometimes I’ll have an idea, but there’s already something going on, so I won’t speak up about it.”
Even though Crook faced challenges during FLRC, she had a firm grasp on the purpose of FLRC and what leadership means to her.
“I think it’s definitely to help us learn skills as leaders of how to work together as a team, how to think on our feet, and how to be confident in making decisions quickly,” Crook said. “I think leadership is being a good person that people can look up to and being willing to do hard things to take care of your people to make things happen.”
Unlike Coombs and Crook, Cadet Patricia Waltz from Florida State University did not face anxiety during FLRC due to her squad’s strong bond.
“Our squad has gotten really close very fast, and we’ve all talked about how much we trust each other,” Waltz said. “I think our squad has really meshed well together with being able to combine a lot of opinions and then allowing the leader to make a decision.”
Waltz explained how trust is a must in leadership when others are relying on you to make a decision. It is important to be able to look up to your leader and place trust in them.
“I think leadership is being a good person that people can look up to and being willing to do hard things to take care of your people to make things happen,” Crook said.
Part of being a good leader also means carrying this leadership through other facets of life, not just the Army.
“Leadership is making sure that everyone is taken care of, regardless of what we’re doing,” Coombs said. “It’s essentially giving to others.”
