FORT KNOX, Ky. — ROTC advanced training has cadets stepping off of a ledge this summer, helping them conquer a fear of heights.
What You Need To Know
- Thousands of ROTC cadets are training at Fort Knox this summer
- Advanced training includes rappelling
- Cadets overcome fear of heights
- Cadets nearing college graduation
Confidence is the name of the game for advanced cadet training at Fort Knox.
“[We're herre] to demonstrate confidence in yourself and your equipment," Rappel Master SFC Levi Vernon told 80-some ROTC cadets Friday morning. Thousands of cadets will eventually climb the 65-foot tower and rapell off. "...Demonstrate these qualities on how to overcome some of those fears. You know one of the Army values is personal courage and they are going to demonstrate some personal courage today."
The ROTC training is robust during their time at Fort Knox. The tower challenge is one of the most anticipated and only the advanced cadets tackle it.
Training of course starts on the ground for the cadets. The students become familiar with their equipment which includes heavy ropes, thick gloves, and carabiner clips.
It's a team event with cadets working the ropes below and instructors coaxing others off the ledge.
“Trust the process and trust that your ropes are tight," a cadet from USC said.
“It’s that leap of faith, you know, and so you’re trusting your equipment," Mark Bigenho said. Bigenho is unique among the majority of cadets because he's an Army chaplain candidate.
Bigenho is a Pennsylvania native and while he is rapelling like the others, his duties including supporting cadets who might be nervous about taking that first step off.
“I kind of liken it to jumping into a cold swimming pool right? You’ve just got to do it at the end of the day. They are all doing a great job and taking that leap of faith so to speak," Bigenho said.
To his credit and to all the instructors, every student made it safely off the tower.