Twice a year the Hilltopper battalion, in conjunction with her sister schools, conduct Field Training Exercises, or FTXs. These events, which are used to measure a cadet’s proficiency in a variety of fields, are both physically and mentally demanding. Yet through teamwork and determination, cadets greatly benefit from the experience. Employing land navigation tactics and team building exercises, cadets overcome obstacles that they may normally fail on their own. The cadets arrive as individuals, but through trial and tribulation leave as a team.

Cadet Lieutenant Morris was a safety on the high ropes course.

Moving the safety pads into place, Cadet Routte and Williams receive a decent workout.

Cadet Major Alexsonshk on the confidence course.

Cadet Rinehart recruited Cadet Lauten into the program, and both work together through the course.

Cadets move under the barbed wire in order to learn movement techniques

The employment of these tactics helps cadets conceptualize their movements.

Cadet Lockhart maneuvers through an early portion of the course.

Cadet Hatfield guides himself down a rope.

A Cadet Hangs from a pole in one area.

Cadet Major Conkright oversees the progression on the confidence course.

Cadet Hoette does not enjoy heights, but he drives on.

In order to complete the course, cadets must work as a team.

Cadet Routte watches his step carefully as he crosses the balancing board.

Cadet Command Sergeant Major Disponett shows cadets how it’s done.