FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov.18 2015) -- Confidence is instilled early in the basic combat training Soldiers of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, so that they can achieve success in their Army careers, said Sgt. 1st Class Luis Villalobos, drill sergeant.
At the Confidence Course, trainees must push past their fear of heights, gain confidence in their abilities and persevere through fatigue to complete the different events within the course.
"These little things right here, these little steps, are going to help them build the confidence they need, especially to shoot and for the final (Army physical fitness test)," Villalobos said. "As things get harder and harder, this is just a small building block to give them the confidence in their achievements."
Soldiers gain confidence by knowing the drill sergeants have been in their shoes and succeeded, said Capt. Shinwon Moon, company commander.
The fact that Staff Sgt. Aaron Duhachek, drill sergeant, could say "I did these exact obstacles back in 2002," was an example of continuity within Army basic training, Moon said.
Second, they gain confidence in watching their fellow Soldiers achieve success.
"Some individuals were scared, but to see them push through that fear and then accomplish a goal, and to see the look on their face is pretty awesome," said Spc. Chris Bartholomew.
Spc. Shaun Brown, said the course takes the brotherhood and camaraderie of the team to help them push forward and face their fears and continue to go up whenever you just want to go down.
One Soldier stated "it's not if Brown can do it, it's how fast Brown can do it," as he watched a top-performing fellow Soldier negotiate an obstacle.
Brown, 28, said he is a bit older than some of his peers, but that being a mentor to them is very fulfilling for him.
"I want to be that guy who pushes Soldiers forward whenever they just want to go back," Brown said.
Third, the Soldiers become confident by successfully accomplishing the goal themselves.
"In order to exceed, you have to face challenges," Brown said. "I think mental toughness will get you a long way and self-taught visualization will help you succeed."
At the Obstacle Course and the Confidence Course, they were taught techniques such as to grab a rope with their hands, form a loop with the rope and their feet and maneuver up the rope to the top of the obstacle. Those who could not climb the rope were told to use the ladder to get to the top of the obstacle.
"These obstacles are classic Army staples," Moon said.
Villalobos said the courses were not pass-or-fail events, but meant to instill knowledge, teamwork and help the Soldiers motivate each other. He said a lot of the events in the first three weeks were individual events where the Soldiers tested themselves, but the course allow for cohesion within the platoons to accomplish the tasks.
Events such as these are what the Soldiers focus on to drive them toward success in their Army careers.
Brown said he values the stress and the camaraderie as things that will help him throughout his time in the Army. He also said the breaking down by the drill sergeants just to be built back up is necessary and motivating. Brown said he looks forward to being built up.
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